MP Criticises Increased Budget for Foreign Ministry

Parliament Member for Dhaalu Meedhoo, Ahmed Siyam has raised concerns over a significant increase in the Foreign Ministry’s expenditure, particularly the budgets allocated to Maldivian embassies abroad.  

Speaking during a parliamentary session, the MP criticised the proposed 40% rise in the ministry’s budget compared to 2024. 

advertisement

Highlighting specific embassies, he questioned the necessity and effectiveness of their operations.  

“There’s several hundred million for the embassy in Singapore, several hundred million for Bangkok embassy, several hundred million for Dubai. There are embassies in different countries all over the world, but they don’t do anything.”

Parliament Member for Dhaalu Meedhoo, Ahmed Siyam has raised concerns over a significant increase in the Foreign Ministry’s expenditure, particularly the budgets allocated to Maldivian embassies abroad. pic.twitter.com/bkDEOx7AYi— MV+ (@mvplusmedia) November 19, 2024

He went on to question what benefit Maldives gets from these countries and called on the government to reconsider the expansion, suggesting cost-cutting measures instead. “I call on the government to reduce the size of these embassies by 50 percent rather than increase by 40 percent. We have to cut costs now.”  

The remarks reflect ongoing debates about the need to cut costs as the government struggles with ballooning state debt.