Thursday roundup: businessmen-lawmakers oppose income tax

In a tirade during debate on the government’s income tax bill, Siyam declared that taxing personal income without explaining what the revenue would be used for amounts to “theft” from the public, accusing government officials of stealing taxpayer’s money.

“Those running the state should know what will happen if we take this tax now. I am the person who pays the most tax in the country. I pay millions each year to the Maldivian people. I pay it through hard work,” the MP for Dhaalu Meedhoo said.

Speaking at rally on Wednesday night, Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim, owner of the Villa business empire, meanwhile argued that “social justice would be upside down” if higher incomes are taxed at higher rates under the proposed progressive tax, which he called undemocratic and contrary to the constitutional principle of equality.