The government has submitted a bill to Parliament seeking major changes to the benefits granted to former presidents, including the discontinuation of the monthly MVR 175,000 allowance currently provided for operating their offices. The proposal also introduces, for the first time, a dedicated allowance for former vice presidents.
The amendments were presented on Tuesday by MP Mohamed Shahid on behalf of the government. Tabling revisions to the Protection and Benefits of Former Presidents Act, Shahid said the current financial provisions needed re-evaluation to ensure responsible public spending and fairness across senior state positions.
Under existing law, former presidents receive MVR 175,000 each month to maintain their official offices. The new amendment would entirely remove this entitlement. Shahid told lawmakers that eliminating this provision could save the state more than MVR 10 million, based on financial estimates included with the bill.
The amendment also seeks to suspend presidential benefits under wider circumstances. At present, benefits are paused only if a former president is elected for a second term. However, the new bill proposes suspending benefits if a former president accepts any state position—whether elected or appointed—during their tenure in public office.
Alongside the reduction in benefits for former presidents, the bill introduces an allowance scheme for former vice presidents, marking the first time such a provision has been formally included in legislation. Shahid also shared cost projections on how the adjustments to both sets of benefits would impact state expenditure.
Lawmakers are expected to debate the amendment in detail as it moves through parliamentary committee review.
