Nasheed Backs Muizzu’s Plan to Cut Allowances for Former Presidents and MPs

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has expressed support for President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s announcement that the government will introduce legislative amendments to remove certain allowances granted to former presidents and members of parliament.

In a post on X, Nasheed welcomed the decision, describing it as an important step towards reforming the current system of state benefits.

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Kureege Raeesunnah dhey pension ge minvaru kuda kuran alhugandah ves feney.

Libey minvaru nikan dhanegen
Vi beynunthah bahaalaigen
Thibey namaee fikurukohgen
Mibeyzaareh nuves vaaney— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) September 13, 2025

President Muizzu on X, said the administration is preparing a broader package of reforms. These include changes to ensure pensions for retired public servants are suspended if they return to public service and draw a state salary. The government is also working on revising regulations to equalise pension benefits, with plans to suspend pension payments for individuals who retire and later resume employment in state institutions.

ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާކަން ކޮށްފައިވާ ފަރާތްތަކަށާއި ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ މެންބަރުކަން ކޮށްފައިވާ ފަރާތްތަކަށް ޤާނޫނުތަކުން ލިބިދޭ ބައެއް އިނާޔަތްތައް އުނިކުރުމަށް ޤާނޫނުތައް އިސްލާހު ކުރަން ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހަށް ހުށަހެޅުމަށް ސަރުކާރުން ވާނީ ނިންމާފައި.

އަދި މީގެ އިތުރުން…— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) September 10, 2025

The announcement follows growing public debate over government expenditure, particularly on benefits for former leaders and legislators. Spending on allowances and privileges has faced mounting criticism on social media in recent weeks.

According to statistics released under the Right to Information Act, the state has spent more than MVR 18 million on health insurance for former members of parliament over the past decade. In the past year alone, around MVR 1.5 million was spent on the use of VIP lounges for sitting MPs.

Former parliamentarians are eligible for financial benefits once they turn 55. With the number of MPs increasing every term, expenditure on former members has continued to rise.