Male’, Maldives – Those who disapprove of the proposed annual budget for the year 2021, are in fact, those who want to topple the incumbant administration over, says governing coalition partner, Jumhooree Party’s leader, Qasim Ibrahim.
In a messaging group created among the political appointees and elects representing his party, Qasim said that the proposed MVR 34.7 billion budget for 2021 is very satisfactory and that previous budgets were also in deficit. He also claimed that those who are against the budget want to topple over the current administration.
This comes as several members, including the Speaker of the Parliament expressed their concerns over the budget. Nasheed, who has been among the most vocal of all in criticizing the budget said that it is a disgrace, but one that was ultimately brought upon as a result of the previous government.
According to information released by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, the national debt is estimated to be at MVR 70.3 billion by the end of this year, while this figure is expected to increase further, to MVR 82.8 billion by the end of 2021, with foreign debt likely to be at MVR 37.5 billion.
Addressing this, Qasim added that internal debts can be decreased by writing off the loans issued by Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), given that the loans were not issued within the past two years.
Since the debt is being recorded since 2005, and that no issues would arise from writing those off. And even if the budget is passed in deficit, we cannot make expenses without receiving the money, no?
– Qasim Ibrahim, Leader of governing coalition partner, Jumhooree Party (JP)
Adding that given the economical crisis which the country is currently facing, the pressure by the Parliament will only result in the public being left to stave.
It shouldn’t be done so. What’s to be done next is for the Parliament to fully support the government in deferring international loans. Failing to do so would result in the entire public would have to suffer the consequences.
– Qasim Ibrahim, Leader of governing coalition partner, Jumhooree Party (JP)
Qasim also stressed on the importance of not creating tension with any other country, and highlighted the need to develop stronger bonds with all countries without exception, adding that the country must move forward without being under the influence of any one country, such as the forefathers of Maldives have done.
Addressing the concerns of MPs with regards to the budget, Minister of Finance and Treasury, Ibrahim Ameer stressed on the importance of passing the state budget as proposed, if the country wishes to overcome the notoriously huge debt the country is in.
