News Desk
MALE’, Maldives – In a move towards greater transparency, Majlis has disclosed the salaries of the employees working at the official residence of the Speaker, following an RTI request filed by Mihaaru Daily.
The disclosure revealed that the Speaker’s mansion employs a total of four staff, with their combined monthly salaries, excluding overtime, amounting to less than MVR 100,000.
According to the parliament, the Chief of Staff, journalist Mundu Adam Halim, who hails from the Speaker’s constituency, receives a monthly take-home salary of MVR 39,380, which includes his base salary, pension, special allowance, living allowance, phone allowance, and service allowance.
The Director General, renowned Maldivian footballer Ali Ashfaq, earns a take-home salary of MVR 25,612, including various allowances. The two other staff members are paid above MVR 16,000 and MVR 15,000 respectively.
The disclosure of this information comes after Mihaaru Daily filed an RTI request seeking details about the staffing and salaries at the Speaker’s mansion. Initially, the parliament cited the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act to withhold the information. However, following the intervention of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who advocated for transparent governance, the parliament eventually provided the requested details.
This move is seen as a positive step towards greater accountability and transparency in the Maldivian government, as the public now has access to information about the staffing and compensation at the highest levels of the legislative branch.
