Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) leader and Meedhoo Constituency MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed today said he would not vote on the proposed budget for next year unless the Finance Ministry provides comprehensive details.
Debating the budget during Tuesday's Parliament sitting, MP Siyam said when a budget is presented, details should be known. He said this is the first a budget has been presented without sufficient details in his 21 years as a parliamentarian.
"I do not know how I can debate this budget without knowing what is going on, honorable Speaker. This is not how budgets are presented anywhere in the world," he said.
Siyam further highlighted the lack of specific information on individual development projects to be implemented in the islands. He expressed concern that the budget does not align with business, democracy, and transparency principles.
Siyam also scrutinized the amount allocated in the budget for the Foreign Ministry. He noted that the amount earmarked for the ministry was 40 percent higher than the amount included in this year's budget. He criticized the significant expenditures allocated for embassies in Singapore, Bangkok, and Dubai, arguing they offered little tangible benefit to the Maldives.
"Hundreds of millions are allocated to spend on the embassy in Singapore. Hundreds allocated to spend on the embassy in Bangkok. Hundreds for Dubai. There is no visible return from establishing embassies all over the world," he said.
Siyam specifically questioned the benefits the Maldives has gained from its embassies in Singapore and Sri Lanka. He emphasized that embassies are established to secure advantages for the country and called for a significant reduction in embassy-related expenditures.
"I am calling today for the expenditure on these embassies to be reduced by 50 percent immediately. Instead of increasing [the ministry's budget] by 40 percent, they should be reduced by 50 percent. We have to reduce expenditure today," he said.
While Siyam spoke about the Singapore Embassy's lack of aid, Siyam frequently visits Singapore for business purposes. However, it is not known why he mentioned Singapore in the list of countries that do not aid the Maldives.
Siyam urged the government to revise and resubmit the budget with clearer details.
"I beg you, Mr. Speaker. Take back this budget. Take it and present it in a way that we can understand. Otherwise, the people of my constituency do not want to vote for this budget," he said.
During the budget debate, Siyam also expressed frustration that island projects have come to a halt.
