Pres Muizzu proposes cutting financial perks to former presidents, parliamentarians

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has informed lawmakers from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) that he is in favor of scaling back allowances paid by the state to former Maldivian presidents and parliamentarians.

President Muizzu shared his thoughts in a message he sent two days back to a WhatsApp group for the members of the PNC parliamentary group.

“This is the will of the people. And we are the representatives of the people. Their servants,” he said.

Two PNC lawmakers – Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thariq (Tom) and South Maafannu Abdulla Rifau (Bochey) – openly opposed the plan. Other lawmakers spoke in support of the plan, with many suggesting expanding the cuts to also include spending on judges and security services personnel.

The PNC, which holds a supermajority in the Parliament with 75 out of 93 seats, has the power to push through the changes.

Introduced in 2013, financial perks given to former parliamentarians has come under renewed scrutiny amid the current economic downturn.

A document that recently went viral on social media platforms shows the state spent MVR 18.9 million on health insurance for former parliamentarians between 2014 and May 2025.

Former parliamentarians are entitled to receive financial allowances and other perks once they reach the age of 55. Those who served a single term are entitled to 30 percent of their monthly salary, while those who served two or more are entitled to 45 percent.

Meanwhile, allowances for former presidents were introduced in 2009. President who served a single term get a monthly allowance of 50,000, while those who served two receive MVR 75,000. They also receive MVR 50,000 as a living allowance, and MVR 175,000 to cover office expenses.

Many have criticized this as wastage.