On December 2, 2024, the Maldivian Parliament rejected an emergency motion submitted by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) regarding the awarding of office space to the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) in a building leased by MMTV, a media outlet that launched last week.

The motion, presented by MDP MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem of Galolhu South, was excluded from the parliamentary agenda after Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla stated that the motion did not meet the criteria outlined in Article 197 of the Parliament regulations. The article requires emergency motions to be based on factual evidence, which Speaker Abdul Raheem said was not provided in this case.

The controversy centers on the office space lease awarded to Maldives Media House Pvt Ltd, the parent company of MMTV, after it secured a bid in a public tender by the National Tender Board on June 25, 2024. The lease agreement, worth MVR 34.8 million for four floors over five years, was intended for NSPA’s use. However, the motion raised concerns over the alleged use of two of the rented floors by MMTV rent-free, suggesting potential misuse of state funds allocated to NSPA.

MP Meekail also questioned the appropriateness of awarding the lease to Maldives Media House, a media company, and highlighted social media allegations suggesting that some floors intended for NSPA were being subleased to third parties. He further raised concerns about government employees working for MMTV, claiming that some were paid from state budgets.

In response to these allegations, NSPA has requested an investigation from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), urging a thorough inquiry into the leasing arrangement and asking for the results to be shared promptly.

Despite the motion's rejection, the issue remains a point of contention, with opposition lawmakers pushing for greater scrutiny of the government's dealings with private entities, particularly when public funds are involved.