The Presidential Palace has strongly denied allegations of extravagant spending by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and the First Family, asserting that expenses have actually decreased under the current administration compared to previous governments.
The claims were made by opposition-aligned Channel 13, which accused the First Family of indulging in excessive spending during a weekend visit to the Presidential Retreat in Aarah.
Minister at the Presidential Palace, Iqbal Adam, dismissed the accusations as “completely baseless” in a statement to PSM News.
He stated that the administration has taken a firm stance on cost-cutting, particularly in light of the country’s current economic situation.
“I'm following the President’s direct instructions to avoid unnecessary and lavish spending,” Minister Iqbal said. “Spreading false claims at a time when we are actively working to reduce costs will only sow confusion and discord among the public.”
The Minister also revealed that operational costs at the Presidential Palace have been significantly reduced under President Muizzu’s leadership.
He further condemned the allegations as deliberate attempts to tarnish the President’s reputation and called for responsible reporting and political discourse.