Majlis committee approves two-hour debate on petition to cut MPs' health insurance

The People's Majlis Public Committee has decided to hold a two-hour debate on an e-petition calling to cut the expensive health insurance allocated to members of the People's Majlis and their families. The petition has received 7,225 signatures, making it the second most-signed e-petition submitted to the Majlis. At a meeting held today to set the time for the debate, opposition MDP Kanditheemu constituency member Ameen Faisal said that given the suspicions being raised against Majlis members over the health insurance issue, the maximum time should be given to properly clarify the matter to the people. He also said it is necessary to explain what the members' health insurance is and how members have been using it. Therefore, a suitable time should be set to debate the petition, he said. According to the Majlis Standing Orders, unless the Majlis passes otherwise, the maximum time for debating a petition is two hours. Otherwise, the time must be set by the Public Committee. Ameen Faisal proposed that the committee give the maximum two hours for the debate. The proposal was supported by ruling PNC Henveiru South constituency member Hussain Imran Latheef. The committee passed the proposal. Under the law on privileges and powers of the People's Majlis, 7,225 people have signed the e-petition. The petition meets the threshold requirement in the Majlis e-petition rules. The petition, submitted for signing by social media activist Miduam Saud, states that giving Majlis members a health insurance that the general public does not get, using public money, is not something any developed political system does. It is also not something even many countries richer than Maldives do. It also states that according to studies based on the world's ten largest economies, there is no major country in the world that gives lifetime health insurance to former members. The petition states that the basic health insurance provided by the state should be given to all citizens equally, at the same level and by the same principle. It says that holding a particular position is not a reason to spend on more expensive health insurance using taxpayers' money. The petition therefore requests amendments to the laws to abolish provisions that state former and current Majlis members and their families should receive health insurance from Maldives, SAARC and ASEAN countries, and to make all Majlis members among those who receive the national health insurance available to ordinary Maldivians. It also calls for ensuring that no Majlis member or member's family receives any special health privilege using taxpayers' money that is not given to ordinary Maldivians. The law currently states that every Majlis member and the member's spouse and children under 18 years of age must be included in a medical insurance scheme allowing them to receive medical treatment from Maldives, SAARC countries and ASEAN countries. The law also states that every person who has served as a Majlis member must be provided medical treatment under a health insurance scheme similar to that for People's Majlis members. Under that insurance, those persons can also receive treatment from Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.