Government plans to cut allowances for former Presidents and MPs

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the government is moving forward with plans to reduce some of the allowances currently granted to former presidents and former members of parliament.

In a post shared on his official X account today, President Muizzu stated that the government has decided to propose amendments to existing laws to scale back certain privileges given to former officeholders.

While no specific timeline was provided for when the changes will be made, since Parliament is currently in recess, the President confirmed that the proposal has already been submitted to the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group earlier this week. With a supermajority in Parliament, the PNC is in a strong position to push the proposed amendments forward once sessions resume.

President Muizzu also noted that legal and regulatory changes are being drafted to standardize pension benefits for retirees from public service roles. Under the proposed reforms, any individual who returns to public service while receiving a state pension would see those benefits temporarily suspended during their period of reemployment.

The decision follows rising public criticism over the growing cost of maintaining benefits for both former and current state officials.

Data shows over MVR 18 million was spent on former MPs' health insurance in the past 10 years, and current MPs spent MVR 1.5 million on VIP lounge services in one year, sparking public outcry and calls for reform on social media.

At present, former MPs are eligible for a monthly allowance once they reach the age of 55, while former presidents also receive monthly financial benefits from the state.

These figures have sparked widespread discussion and calls for reform across social media.

At present, former MPs are eligible for a monthly allowance once they reach the age of 55, while former presidents also receive monthly financial benefits from the state.

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