Nasheed supports reducing former President pensions

Last night, former President Mohamed Nasheed expressed that he supports the reduction of former President pensions.

As President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, a few Parliament members and a large part of the public are supporting the slashing of former President pensions, Nasheed took the opportunity to take to X and say, "I too support this idea of reducing former President pensions".

With that, he proceeded to share verses from an old poem.

President Muizzu has stated on 10th September that the government has decided to present amendments of the law to Parliament regarding this topic, with the removal of some benefits being the case.

However, the President has not disclosed as to when the amendments will be presented.

As per the President, work is being done towards making the amendments a reality. This includes the harmonization of pension retirement benefits for those who retire from State positions. 

This will include amendments where a person who retires from a State position will no longer receive pension benefits if they take on, and are employed in, another State position. 

People took to social media and expressed their concern when a recent statistical report regarding state expenditures towards former and current Parliament members and Presidents was publicized.

A Maldivian citizen requested the report under the Right to Information Act which was then shared on social media. The report showed health insurance expenditures totaling more than MVR 18 million in the last 10 years.

It also showed the VIP airport lounge expenditures of the current Parliament totaling MVR 1.5 million.

Former Parliament members above the age of 55 receive monthly benefits, with former Presidents receiving monthly monetary benefits from the state as well.