Speaker Abdul Raheem to also forgo 50 percent of salary

Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla has announced his decision to forgo 50 percent of his salary in support of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s decision.

He made the announcement via a post on X on Wednesday night, shortly after President Muizzu announced special measures in line with the economic reform agenda proposed as part of the 2025 national budget; one of being his decision to forgo 50 percent of his salary is the President.

Speaker Abdul Raheem said his decision was a show of support for President Muizzu’s fiscal policy.

While lawmakers set their own salary, the current salary of a lawmaker, including allowances, is MVR 82,500.

President Muizzu, on Wednesday night, announced several measures as part of the economic reform agenda proposed as part of the 2025 national budget. They include:

1. A 10 percent pay reduction for political appointees
2. A 10 percent pay reduction from the employees of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) with the exception of banks, with a maximum remuneration of MVR 90,000 for the top executive positions in public corporations (currently the pay framework grants over MVR 100,000 per month in remuneration to the top executive spot)
3. A 10 percent cut from the senior-most officials of independent institutions/commissions for which the reforms would be submitted to relevant bodies
4. Imploring parliamentarians and senior-most officials of the judiciary for a pay reduction of 10 percent

As per the remuneration regulations for the president and vice president, the President is subject to receive a total salary of MVR 100,000 per month. The former parliamentary assembly dominated by then-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had attempted to increase this to MVR 120,000. However President Muizzu, upon succession, announced he did not wish for a pay hike. 

The President’s decision to forgo 50 percent of his salary means he will take home just MVR 50,000 per month.

The pay cuts have been announced at a time when the Maldives government has been making rigorous efforts to cut state expenses, while various global financial institutions have warned the country’s potential to serve is debts looked bleak. Both Moody’s and Fitch Ratings had earlier this year downgraded the Maldives’ credit rating.