Amendment proposed to Parliament Privileges Act, to remove health insurance to former MPs

Kelaa MP Dr Abdullah Mausoom has proposed to remove the section of the Parliament Privileges and Powers Act which states that every person who has served as a Member of Parliament should be provided an official passport and health insurance under the same scheme as that given to sitting MPs.

Article 8 (f) of the Parliament Privileges and Powers Act stipulates that every person who has served as an MP should be provided health insurance under the same scheme as sitting MPs; and Article 8 (g) states that every person who has served as an MP should be provided an official passport.

The parliament commenced a debate today on accepting these amendments.

Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Kelaa MP Dr Abdullah Mausoom said that the two amendments were proposed because MPs should not be given such privileges after they complete their terms in the parliament.

While no MPs opposed the amendments at today’s sitting, MPs of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) criticised the manner in which the amendments were proposed.

They pointed out that amendments were proposed only to two sections of the Act, while several sections of the Act stipulate that the State should spend excessive sums of money on MPs’ privileges after they complete their terms.

MDP Parliamentary Group Member, Galolhu-North MP Eva Abdullah said that MDP would propose amendments to remove several privileges and allowances granted in the Act to former MPs.

For instance, Article 8 (a) states that a person who completes one parliamentary term, once he turns 55, would receive 30 percent of the salary of an MP. This allowance would only be given provided that he does not receive any other allowance from the State.