Stop the current administration's efforts to abolish elderly pension benefits: Shahid

The President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Abdulla Shahid, has called on the government to withdraw a "deceptive" bill reportedly prepared for parliamentary submission, which he claims aims to terminate the allowance provided to senior citizens.

Shahid made these remarks while meeting with MDP candidates and supporters in Sh. Lhaimagu, during his ongoing campaign visit to Shaviyani Atoll for the Local Council and Women's Development Committee elections.

Shahid stated that every Maldivian citizen over the age of 65 is entitled to the elderly pension, noting that this was the original intent when the MDP administration first introduced the benefit. However, Shahid claimed that the current government is attempting to change this policy by requiring seniors to prove their eligibility to the state in order to receive the allowance.

The consequence of this is that senior citizens will be forced to incur significant expenses to fulfill these requirements. They will have to struggle through various means to provide the necessary proof. The ultimate objective is to keep the elderly further constrained under the government's grip.

Abdulla Shahid

Furthermore, Shahid stated that all citizens must voice their opposition to the government's efforts to abolish the allowance for those over 65 years of age. He added that the upcoming election presents an opportunity for the public to reject such flawed decisions being made by the administration.

Shahid stated that the MDP’s approach was to provide the senior citizens' allowance to every citizen upon reaching the age of 65, without discrimination. He noted that during the MDP administration, the elderly did not have to appeal to or beg the government to receive their entitled benefits. However, he alleged that the current administration is creating unnecessary hurdles and is attempting to deprive them of these allowances.