MDP vows to continue to go to MMA until governor grants meeting

Lawmakers from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) vowed on Tuesday that they will continue to go to the headquarters of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) every day, until Governor Ahmed Munawar grants a meeting with them to listen to concerns over the impact of the USD crunch on local businesses.

MDP lawmaker Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), the representative for North Galolhu constituency, sent a letter on July 16 seeking a meeting with Munawar to discuss concerns over the soaring USD rate in the black market and the alleged use of funds in state reserves to reclaim Rasmale’.

Opposition lawmakers spent an hour at the MMA headquarters in Male’ on Monday, in protest of the failure to respond to the letter.

They headed there again for the second consecutive day on Tuesday morning, demanding an audience with Munawar.

Speaking to reporters from outside the MMA headquarters, Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fitte), the deputy leader of MDP’s parliamentary group, expressed frustration over the alleged failure of Munawar to properly address the issue.

He said that though Munawar denies the steep rise in the black-market USD rate, it has clearly risen above MVR 20.

Ziyad said that it was affecting businesses as well as Maldivians who travel overseas for medical care.

“It is because of the difficulty in accessing US dollars needed for even such purposes, because we are so deeply concerned about this, that we wish to meet with the governor. We wish to find a way to resolve this and gain insight on how the governor plans on addressing these issues,” he said.

Ziyad said that he does not understand why Munawar is refusing to meet them.

“But we will come back again tomorrow. We will continue to come back until the governor deigns to meet with us and we receive clarity on what’s happening,” he said.

Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa said that said that back when the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) presented legislature on foreign currency exchange, Munawar had said it would help lower the USD rate.

He also questioned the high spending on opening the new international passenger at the Velana International Airport on July 26 at such a time, which he estimates to be MVR 200 million, including MVR 6.5 million for fireworks and a drone show.

He said that there’s no logical reason why the USD rate should be rising right now.

“There’s no reason why the dollar rate should be going up. Income from tourism has risen by 12 percent. This is the main source of USD revenue. The state’s income has increased. Hiking the TGST to 18 percent means more USD revenue for the state. Where’s the money? Why isn’t it reaching the hands of the people? This is what we are asking,” he said.