Parliamentary Meeting on Speaker's Residence Staff Held Behind Closed Doors

The Parliament's Security Services Committee (241 Committee) held a closed-door meeting today to discuss the number of staff employed at the official residence of Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, known as Muraidhoo.

Speaker Abdulla moved into Muraidhoo in July following extensive renovations. On July 28, Mihaaru News filed a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking details on the total cost of the renovation, the number of employees at the residence, and the specifics of their salaries.

At the time, the Parliament Secretariat extended the RTI deadline. It later explained that the information could not be disclosed due to the Speaker's entitlement to protection under parliamentary privileges and law. The 241 Committee was tasked with deciding whether the details of staff at the Speaker’s residence could be released.

During today’s meeting, Committee Chair Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem noted that the committee had received no response to the RTI request by the extended deadline. The delay was attributed to Parliament being in recess.

Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah, who is the Parliamentary Group Leader for the People's Nation Congress, proposed that the meeting be held closed. The motion was seconded by Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim, leading to the decision to hold the session privately.

Key positions at the Speaker's residence include the Chief of Staff, which is filled by veteran journalist 'Mundoo' Adam Haleem, and Director General Ali Ashfaq, widely known as one of the most famous Maldivian footballers, 'Dhagandey.'

The exact number of other employees at the residence and their salaries have not yet been disclosed.

The renovation of Muraidhoo was carried out by WAMCO before the Speaker moved in. However, questions remain regarding who funded the renovations and the total cost involved.