The third session of the Parliament for this year has concluded, with the Parliament now on leave. The final sitting was held on Wednesday. During the third session’s last sitting, the Parliament approved the Zakat Act and key amendments to Maldives Tourism Act and Drug Act.
Drug Act Amendments
The amendments to the Drug Act impose the death penalty for certain cases of drug possession and smuggling. The law applies to possession of over 350g of cannabis, 250g of diamorphine, or 100g of other drugs, as well as smuggling drugs into the Maldives. The death penalty can only be imposed by a unanimous Supreme Court verdict; if not, offenders face life imprisonment and fines of up to USD 648,500.
It also sets restrictions on pardons and parole, strengthen law enforcement and treatment systems, and introduce controls on new drugs. They further outline rules for the confiscation of property and money connected to drug offences and increase the powers of customs and police. The bill was passed with 65 votes in favour.
Tourism Act Amendments
The amendments to the Tourism Act allow islands and lagoons to be leased to state-owned companies for developing tourist resorts, integrated resorts and training resorts. The changes also introduce rules on extending resort development periods, determining lagoon areas eligible for tourism use, and regulating training resorts based on national tourism and workforce needs. The amendments further establish that only licensed tour operators may plan and operate tourism-related trips, with foreign operators required to obtain a special licence. The President will determine the locations for tourism projects, and detailed regulations will follow once the amendments take effect. The bill passed with 64 votes in favour.
Zakat Act
The Zakat Act establishes a modern legal framework to regulate the collection, distribution and management of Zakat. Passed with 63 votes, the law outlines who must pay Zakat, the types of Zakat payable and how funds must be distributed to support social welfare. The President will determine the national Zakat policy, and the Minister of Islamic Affairs will oversee its implementation. The law also requires the establishment of a Zakat Council to advise the Minister and the Maldives Zakat House, and Shariah Advisory Committee to provide guidance on implementing the Zakat system and related legal matters. The Act will come into force on 1 January next year.
Parliamentary Works in 2025
This year, the 20th Parliament held 87 sittings in addition to 462 committee meetings. The third session alone included 29 sittings, and 142 committee meetings, with fifteen bills passed. Key legislation passed during the year includes amendments to the Immigration Act, Tobacco Control Act, Decentralisation Act and the Constitution, as well as the Drug Act, and the enactment of the Prevention of Gang Crimes Act, Special Economic Zone Act, Zakat Act, Maldives Intellectual Property Office Act, Trademark Act, Parliament rules were also amended to introduce an e-petition system, and Cabinet ministers responded to 29 parliamentary questions.
Speaker Abdul Raheem highlighted that the Parliament ensures sessions continue until important bills are completed. He noted that the third session originally ended on 3 November but was extended until end of the month to ensure completion of important pending work.