President Mohamed Muizzu has come under fire for pledging to reform the Pension Act just weeks after his party’s supermajority in Parliament blocked a bill that would have provided relief to terminally ill patients.
During a recent meeting with residents in Galolhu, the President promised to introduce amendments allowing citizens to use their pension savings for "special circumstances," including medical needs.
However, this promise directly contradicts the actions of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) in the People’s Majlis. On October 21, the PNC majority officially blocked a bill submitted by North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) of the opposition MDP.
That bill was specifically designed to allow people suffering from terminal or chronic illnesses to withdraw their retirement savings to pay for life-saving treatment.
Parliamentary records show that 52 members of the President's party voted to reject the bill, while only five MDP members supported it.
By killing the legislation, the PNC majority ensured that the current restrictive laws remain in place, which only allow pension withdrawals for housing down payments or Hajj pilgrimage costs.
