The goverment on Tuesday refuted reports that the number of political jobs exceeds 7,000.

In response to an online media report that the government had created more than 7,000 jobs, Chief Spokesperson at the President's Office, Heena Waleed stated that the report was a blatant lie. However, she did not disclose the number of political jobs as of now.

Heena said it is not responsible journalism to spread whatever comes to mind without confirming any facts. She further highlighted that the number of employees in government companies decreased by more than 1,000 in the first quarter of this year compared to the last quarter of last year,

“Such false news is written to misrepresent the fact that the people of Maldives accept the President's efforts to reduce government expenditure and save the country from the debt that the country has been subjected to over the past five years,” she said.

Under the economic reform agenda, as a cost-cutting measure, President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu today ordered the dismissal of 228 people from political positions.

The President said he has ordered the removal of 228 politicians from various government ministries in the next 15 days, including seven state ministers, 43 deputy ministers, 109 senior political directors and 69 political directors.

The dismissal will save the government budget MVR 5.714 million per month, he said.