President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the government’s decision to establish a separate account under the Department of Judicial Administration and allocate a block grant to the judiciary is aimed at ensuring that the judiciary is free from government influence. The President made the remarks while speaking on the ‘Rayyithunnaa Eku’ podcast on Wednesday.
The President said the current system in practice severely hampers the work of the judiciary. He noted that the Ministry of Finance and Planning often requires the judiciary, along with other state institutions, to cut expenditure during the year, particularly in the later months. The President noted that this greatly weakens one of the powers of the state.
"Under the current system, which has been in place since the beginning, the Finance Ministry exerts the same control over the judiciary as it does over other ministries. Around mid-year, the Finance Ministry sends circulars to all entities announcing cost-cutting measures. In the last three or four months of the year, budgets are significantly reduced, and the judiciary is no exception,” he said.
The President stressed that, as it stands, the government has control over the administration of the judiciary and thus, with the withholding of the budget, the entire judiciary’s functioning can be restricted. Therefore, a special account has been opened to free the judiciary from such influence, with a specific amount allocated to the judiciary in the form of block grants every year, he said.
“We have decided, in consultation with the Cabinet, to change the existing system from this year, effective from next year's budget. A certain percentage of the state budget will always be allocated to the judiciary and a separate account will be opened to deposit the amount on the basis of block grants,” he said.
The President also announced that the judiciary will be given a larger budget ceiling next year than ever before.
President Muizzu further said the construction of the Superior Court Complex will start in Hulhumale’ this year. Although no contractors expressed interest in the first bidding round, the process has now been reopened, and the President expressed hope that practical work would commence within the next two months.
Speaking on the podcast, the President reiterated that the government will not influence the judiciary or interfere in court cases or rulings.