Attorney General Ahmed Usham has disclosed that in recent years, supplementary budgets were unlawfully spent before receiving the necessary approval from the parliament. Usham affirmed that corrective measures would be taken to address the issue.
Unlawful Spending Revealed
During a press conference held at the President's Office, Usham, alongside Finance Minister Moosa Zameer, highlighted a significant breach of constitutional and financial laws. He explained that the Maldives Constitution and the Public Finance Act require all state expenditures, including supplementary budgets, to be approved by parliament before they can be used. However, in the past four years, this legal process was bypassed, resulting in funds being spent unlawfully.
Usham stressed that supplementary budgets should be submitted to parliament at least one month before the planned expenditures. This process allows parliament to review and approve the additional funds, ensuring transparency and accountability in government spending. However, he noted that this procedure had been ignored, allowing expenditures to proceed without the necessary legislative oversight.
Concerns Raised in Parliament
Recalling his time as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Vilimale', Usham said he had raised concerns about this issue long before it became public. He reiterated that supplementary budgets are typically introduced when the initial state budget falls short. He cited an example from the Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) final year in office, where a supplementary budget of MVR 6.5 billion was approved. However, opposition members claimed that the administration had already overspent before receiving approval, a claim the government denied at the time.
Usham emphasized that this pattern of unlawful expenditure must be rectified to restore public trust in the government’s financial operations.
Finance Minister Announces New Supplementary Budget
Finance Minister Moosa Zameer also addressed the press, announcing the government's intention to request a new supplementary budget for this year. He estimated that the supplementary budget would amount to MVR 5 billion, although the exact figure will be determined after consultations with the cabinet and President.
This year’s state budget is already set at MVR 49.8 billion, and the additional funds will be necessary to cover unanticipated expenses.
Moving Forward with Accountability
Usham's revelation underscores the need for stricter adherence to financial regulations in the Maldives. By ensuring that all future supplementary budgets follow the legal process and receive parliamentary approval before any funds are spent, the government can promote transparency and accountability in public spending.
The public awaits further developments as both the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Finance work to ensure that financial laws are upheld and that any breaches are addressed with appropriate legal action.
