People’s Majlis is scheduled to reconvene for its initial sitting of 2025’s first session on Thursday at 09:00 am. As the new term begins, here is a review of some of the most notable developments from the most recent parliamentary session which spanned from 14th October 2024 to 15th December 2024.
One of the most significant changes Maldives saw within these two months was the sixth amendment to the country’s constitution. Passed by the parliament on 20th November, 2024 and ratified by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu the same day, five major changes were made to the governing document. These include outlining conditions on the removal of parliament members, requirements for territorial changes to the sea, land or space of the country, as well as specific requirements to allow foreign military use of Maldivian territory. Two other changes also included in the amendment include the expansion of presidential powers and amendment to the referendum related articles, which would now require public referendums to be changed.
Nine bills were also passed by the Parliament during this time:
- Bill amending the Goods and Service Tax Act: Upon ratification, the bill marked up TGST by one percent. As of now, the new TGST rate is 17 percent.
- Bill amending the Tourism Act: It requires the Tourism Ministry to compile a comprehensive list of islands, lands and lagoons to be leased every financial year, under the president’s guidance. Any amendments to this list must also be approved by the president. Green Tax was doubled from USD 6 to USD 12 starting 1 January 2025 for larger tourism accommodation facilities while the value also doubled for smaller facilities from USD 3 to USD 6.
- Bill amending the Airport Taxes and Fees Act: Departure and Airport Development taxes were also increased barring Maldivian passengers travelling in economy class.
- Bill amending the Import Export Act: Duties on cigarettes, bidi (traditional rolled cigarettes), vape and e-cigarette flavours, and vape and e-cigarettes devices also went up.
- Bill amending the Tobacco Control Act: Cigarettes cannot be sold to anyone below the age of 21, and smoking in prohibited areas can result in punitive action including temporary or permanent withholding of business licenses. Display, transport and advertising cigarettes is also not allowed while production, manufacturing and growing tobacco and any tobacco product is also outlawed. However, the biggest change the country saw was the complete ban on import, sale, distribution and gifting of vapes, with the lowest punishment being MVR 10,000 for violations.
- Bills amending the Elections Commission Act and the Anti Corruption Commission Act: The country’s president is now required to appoint a President and Vice President of the Commission from among existing commission members, and the selection is contingent on parliamentary approval. The resignation procedure for these two members was also changed, requiring them to now submit their resignation to the president in writing. Both members will also remain in position unless removed in accordance with the law.
- Bill amending the Political Parties Act: Dissolved parties’ symbols (logo, colours, insignia) cannot be reused by another party for five years. Party funding also must be 0.1-0.2 percent of the national budget and disbursed within the year. According to the changes, electoral law violations result in MVr 100,000 fines for parties and MVR 30,000-75,000 fines for individuals.
- Bill on the Foreign Currency Act: This amendment introduced a framework for businesses operating under Maldivian law to exchange foreign currency, mainly concerning tourism facilities.
Although a bill was also submitted to the parliament to establish a Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, it was withdrawn after public scrutiny. If passed, it would have placed control over the media in the hands of the government.
On 29th October the Parliament also approved the reshuffling of Dr. Muizzu’s cabinet where Dr. Abdulla Khaleel was reassigned as Foreign Minister, Moosa Zameer as Finance Minister and Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim as Health Minister.
Multiple ambassadors, High Commissioners and members of independent commissions were also approved and removed:
- Approved: Aishath Azeema as Maldivian High Commissioner to India
- Approved: Ahmed Sareer as Maldivian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- Approved: Fuwad Thowfeek as Maldivian Ambassador to Thailand
- Approved: Abdul Ghanee Mohamed as Tax Appeal Tribunal Member
- Approved: Ibrahim Shareef as Tax Appeal Tribunal Member
- Approved: Shifa Abdul Qayyoom as Tax Appeal Tribunal Member
- Approved: Fathimath Ameeza as Deputy Commissioner of General Taxation
- Approved: Maryam Insha Faisal as member of National Integrity Commission
- Approved: Dhaha Shuaib as board member of MIRA
- Removed: Ali Nashat as Vice President of Elections Commission
- Removed: Mohamed Asif as member of Elections Commission
- Retained: Mohamed Zahir as member of Elections Commission
- Retained: Mohamed Nasih as President of Civil Service Commission
- Voted to Remove: Abdul Salam as Vice President of Anti Corruption Commission (resigned ahead of dismissal)
- Voted to Remove: Thoha Mohamed as member of Anti Corruption Commission (resigned ahead of dismissal)
The parliament also approved for Maldives to join the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and passed a supplementary budget of almost MVR 5.12 billion for the year 2024. During the two months, multiple audit reports of various ministries were also reviewed, and the Auditor General’s Office’s budget report for the year 2025 was also submitted to the parliament.
In this term, seven cabinet ministers were questioned by various sitting MPs and four emergency motions were filed; two of which were rejected. A resolution calling on the government to encourage the early passage of the bill to ban Israeli passport holders from entering the Maldives was also rejected.
The parliament also approved its administrative hires, including Fathimath Niusha as the Secretary General, Fathimath Filza as the Counsel General and Major (retired) Tholhath Hassan and the Sergeant at arms of the parliament.
The term also saw Maldives' budget for the year 2025 being passed with an amendment from MP Husnee Mubarik.
There were three bills still in the committee stage when the term ended:
- Bill on Maldives Sports Act
- Bill on amending the Drug Act
- Attorney General’s Office Bill
Two other matters were in the first reading stage with one being a resolution calling for the development of a common standard or code of grooming and dressing for tourism industry’s employees. The other was on the bill to prevent gang crimes and other dangerous crimes.
From overnight constitutional reform to banning vapes, the third session of 2024 was an eventful one to say the least.