Inguraidhoo MP and the Parliament Majority Leader Ibrahim Falah has stated that reducing MP salaries would make it impossible to repay debts incurred by the MPs during their parliamentary campaigns.
In a social media post in response to a petition calling for MP salary reductions, Falaah acknowledged that while the idea itself is not bad, it is best to implement such a change for a new parliamentary term rather than the current one.
“Salary changes are best applied from the next parliamentary election, as millions will be spent on campaigns, and there would be no way to pay the election debt [if the change is implemented now]. For the 21st Parliament, if a salary of MVR 5,000 is allocated, and candidates contest knowing that, there would be no room for complaints,” Falah said.
Falah noted that during the 19th Parliament, which held a then-ruling MDP majority, the Public Finance Committee had approved to increase MP salaries to MVR 100,000. However, it was President Dr Mohamed Muizzu who instructed against it, he noted.
Falah further suggested that the petition advocating for MP salary cuts should include a reduction in allowances of former presidents and judges.
Members of Parliament currently receive a base salary of MVR 62,500 along with a committee allowance of MVR 20,000, bringing their total salary to MVR 82,500.