President's Office has stated the letter circulated in social media indicating the cut down in allowances of elderly citizens and jobs, created in a certain period of time, is not authentic.
The government has decided to nullify the jobs created from June to September 2018 and has asked the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to exclude the allowances for those posts created within the timeframe in the state budget for 2019, according to the letter circulated in social media. Moreover, the letter also notes the retirement age will be changed to 70 years and allowances for elderly citizens will not be included in the state budget.
Dismissing the letter, Spokesperson of President's Office Ibrahim Muaz Ali stated the letter has been forged for campaigning purposes and to mislead the citizens. Furthermore, the spokesperson noted the letterhead number is not in the range of numbers used by the President's Office, but used by Ministry of Tourism. In numerous occasions, the opposition has forged statements and letters for political benefit, despite the numerous efforts of the government to enhance the livelihoods of the people.
Following the circulation of the letter, the finance ministry has also revealed the letter is not authentic.