President ratifies amendment to Former Presidents’ Protection and Benefit Act

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the third amendment to the Former Presidents’ Protection and Benefit Act.

The bill was approved by the 20th Parliament at its 27th sitting of the third session on 1 December 2025.

The amendment strengthens the legal framework governing the protection and benefits afforded to former presidents and vice-presidents, and clarifies the circumstances under which those entitlements may be granted, suspended or withdrawn.

A key change is the removal of the office allowance previously provided to former presidents, a measure proposed by the government as part of wider efforts to reduce state expenditure.

The amendment also suspends financial benefits for any former president who has served a full term but later returns to office, whether through election to a second presidential term or by taking up another state post.

Former presidents living abroad will also not receive state-funded protection or security while residing outside the country.

The reforms extend protections and benefits to former vice-presidents who have completed a full five-year presidential term, as defined in the constitution. These include a monthly allowance of MVR 30,000 and state-funded healthcare in the Maldives and overseas.

In addition, the amendment stipulates that any former president or vice-president convicted of a criminal offence committed while in office will lose all protections and benefits under the Act, along with their spouse, from the date of conviction.

The amendment has been published in the government gazette and has now come into force.