President Muizzu Says He Pays for His Own Travel and Has Downgraded Official Flights to Business Class

MALE’ — President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has denied using state funds for personal travel and revealed that he has downgraded his official travel from first class to business class as part of broader cost-cutting measures, while pointing out that former presidents continue to bill the state for their overseas trips.

Speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office today, President Muizzu said not a single rufiyaa of public money had been used for any personal trip or family expense since he took office.

“From the day I took office until today, not a single coin of public money, not a single laari from the citizens, has been used for any personal trip of mine or for any member of my family,” he said.

The President gave a specific example of how the separation is maintained. When official duties require attention during a personal holiday, the President’s Office sends a staff member with a printer and scanner to handle paperwork. President Muizzu said he covers the travel costs for those staff members himself rather than billing the state.

On official travel, he said the administration has moved from first class to business class for state visits to reduce expenditure on national reserves.

President Muizzu also raised the question of former presidents’ travel costs, saying the President’s Office continues to receive and process invoices for overseas trips taken by multiple former heads of state, funded from public funds. He did not name the individuals.