Solih backs 2019 reforms as government amends Decentralization Act

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has asserted that the amendments made to the Decentralization Act during his administration have begun to yield favorable outcomes.

The interim government introduced five amendments to the Decentralization Act on Sunday. These amendments, proposed by PNC MP Ibrahim Hussain, aim to redefine the operational scope of local authority companies established by councils. Furthermore, they suggest revisions to regulations governing state funding and establish more stringent guidelines for councils concerning critical financial decisions in their final year.

In a post on X, Solih articulated that one of the most significant systemic changes facilitated by the Maldives Constitution (2008) for the development of the populace is the establishment of decentralization. He noted that various governments have since adjusted these powers and resources, and in 2019, his administration proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act.

He stated that these amendments were extensively deliberated and enacted with the consensus of all political parties. As a direct consequence of these reforms, the jurisdiction of each island has been delineated, councils have been allocated a specific portion of state revenue in the form of block grants, and councils have been granted authorization to conduct business operations under defined regulations.

ފެހި ޤާނޫނު އަސާސީއިން ރައްޔިތުންގެ ތަރައްޤީއަށް މަގުފަހިވި ނިޒާމީ އެންމެ މުހިއްމު އެއްބަދަލަކީ ލާމަރުކަޒީ ނިޒާމު ޤާއިމުވުން. އެކި ވެރިކަމުގައި އެ ބާރުތަކާއި ވަޞީލަތްތައް ހަނިކޮށް، ފުޅާކުރަމުން އައިސް 2019 ވަނައަހަރު ލާމަރުކަޒީ ޤާނޫނަށް ހުށަހެޅި އިސްލާޙްތަކަކީ ފުޅާ…

— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) August 3, 2025

Solih cautioned, "The islanders will endure the adverse repercussions of disrupting the system for political motives once more at this nascent stage, precisely when the 2019 reforms are commencing to exhibit positive changes."

Under Solih's government, amendments to the Decentralization Act sought to empower councils, allocate five percent of state revenue to councils, and grant them 40 percent of rental income derived from land areas, islands, lagoons, and reefs.

The interim government has previously introduced amendments to the Decentralization Act, including a provision to waive by-elections for councils if their remaining term is less than 18 months or 548 days.

The MDP has voiced criticism regarding these changes, contending that they centralize powers and diminish the authority of councils.