Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has dismissed as a “blatant lie” the government’s claim that there are only 922 political appointees.
Speaking at a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) gathering on Thursday evening, Ameer challenged the official figure disclosed by the President’s Office on 15 July, which came after months of delay and repeated refusals to release the information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
While the President’s Office stated that there are 922 political employees, Ameer argued the actual figure is significantly higher. “There are about 2,280 political employees [in this government]. I am talking about that number from the documents of this government that I have seen,” he said.
Ameer claimed the official count excludes appointments in key areas, including the President’s and Vice President’s residences, the President’s Office, island youth centres, health centres, and hospitals.
He added that in contrast to the current administration’s accounting, the total number of political appointees under the previous MDP government had included individuals working in all such institutions.
The official figure of 922 also contradicts a key campaign pledge made by President Mohameed Muizzu, who promised to cap political appointments at 700.
Despite the reported lower headcount, Ameer pointed out that spending on salaries and allowances for political staff has increased this year, suggesting that either the number of appointees is underreported or that higher wages and allowances are being paid to fewer individuals.
The President’s Office has yet to release a detailed breakdown of the political appointees or disclose individual salaries and allowances.