The Public Accounts Committee of the People’s Majlis has approved a MVR 22,000 monthly allowance for Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, lifting his total monthly remuneration to MVR 95,125.
The proposal was introduced by Kelaa MP Abdulla Shareef of the Progressive National Congress and seconded by Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdooh. Committee officials said the allowance is intended to correct disparities: the Speaker currently receives MVR 73,125, while the Deputy Speaker receives MVR 91,000 and ordinary members receive MVR 82,500 including committee allowances. Because the Speaker does not sit on committees, he does not receive the MVR 20,000 committee allowance paid to other members.
Maldivian Democratic Party MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa opposed the measure, arguing that it was inappropriate given wider economic conditions. The committee nevertheless passed the motion with the support of its ruling-party majority.
In the same sitting, Mamdooh proposed increases to the allowance package for ministers’ drivers. The monthly petrol allowance would rise from MVR 1,000 to MVR 2,000, the driving allowance from MVR 6,500 to MVR 12,000, and a new MVR 3,000 living allowance would be added, bringing the total package to MVR 17,000.
A further proposal would introduce a MVR 5,000 monthly service allowance for island councillors. Under the revised structure, island council presidents would receive MVR 30,500, vice-presidents MVR 25,000 and ordinary members MVR 23,000 — an increase of MVR 5,000 for each category.
The changes still require further parliamentary steps before they take effect. Opposition members have questioned the timing of the remuneration increases.