North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), a lawmaker from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), wrote to Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen on Thursday, asking him to introduce new rules, including offering exemptions on the payment of annual fees for stolen motorcycles.
In his letter, Kudu noted an increase in cases involving the theft of motorcycles.
He asked Ameen to introduce rules and regulations that ease the administrative and financial challenges to vehicle owners under such circumstances.
Kudu asked the Transport Ministry to:
Exempt annual fees on stolen motorcycles pending the recovery of the vehicles in situations where the theft is reported to the police
Allow renewal of original registry once stolen motorcycles are recovered
Kudu also asked the Transport Ministry to introduce a special regulation on traffic management nears schools during opening and closing times.
The Transport Ministry currently charges annual fee on motorcycles based on engine power.
Under 50CC: MVR 180
50CC – 100CC: MVR 360
100C - 150CC: MVR 648
150CC – 200CC: MVR 1,152
200CC – 400CC: MVR 3,240
Above 400CC: MVR 4,320
119 cases involving stolen motorcycles were reported in October alone.