Velidhoo MP and Vice President of Maldives Third Way Democrats (MTD), Abdulla Yameen Rasheed, submitted an amendment to the Parliamentary Privileges Act seeking to secure allowances for former MPs immediately upon the end of their term.
According to the current laws, former parliamentarians are granted financial allowances only after they reach 55 years of age, provided their terms have concluded.
MP Yameen's bill proposes to nullify the section in the Parliamentary Privileges Act, which prohibits granting additional financial benefits to former MPs who hold a government position during their period of employment.
During an interview with local media outlet Mihaaru, the Velidhoo MP stated that he proposed the amendment to give due recognition for the services rendered by former parliamentarians during their five-year terms. He also asserted that ex-MPs must be allowed to lead dignified and honest lives.
Additionally, the MTD member highlighted that all individuals in other prominent elected positions were given allowances from the point their terms concluded.
Additional amendments to the Parliamentary Privileges Act have also been submitted. This includes Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Mustafa's proposal to grant VIP services to former parliamentarians, and Dhihdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed's proposal to grant ex-MPs diplomatic passports. It was recently decided that MP Mustafa's bill will be withdrawn.
Under the Act, parliamentarians who served for one term would receive 30 percent of their salaries while parliamentarians who served for two terms would be given 45 percent of their salaries. This would amount to monthly payments of MVR 25,000 and MVR 38,000 respectively.
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