Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has revealed debts will be paid back as soon as possible, as the government has now released funds for the party. PPM is in debt over unpaid bills for Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL), along with other expenses such as phone bills and employee salaries.
Last week, finance ministry released USD 558,535 for PPM. A total of USD 1.169 million must be paid by the state to PPM. The party has now begun clearing out the debts. In this regard, Vice President of PPM Ahmed Shiyam said the party was in debt as the state failed to release the funds within the stated period.
Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) held back the allowances for PPM citing then ongoing case at Civil Court of Maldives.
Parties with more than 10,000 members are eligible for funds from the state and the state must release funds for eligible political parties within the first three months of the year, according to Political Parties Act.