President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has underlined efforts are underway to make arrangements to send spouses of individuals who have previously performed Hajj pilgrimage via retirement savings funds. The president made the statement at a campaign gathering organised by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Naifaru in Lhaviyani atoll.
Addressing the gathering, President Solih stated the fourth amendment to the Pension Act has now been ratified, allowing the retirement savings accounts to be utilised by those covered under the Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme for Hajj pilgrimage.
The president said the proposal was requested by many individuals from the public during his campaign for the presidential election. He stated many are now requesting to send their spouses to perform the pilgrimage, adding discussions are underway to oversee whether it is possible.
It is a pledge of President Solih to allow the utilisation of pension funds for Hajj pilgrimage. The parliament passed the amendment to Pension Act, allowing the Pension Fund to be used to finance Hajj pilgrimage, which was ratified on March 10. The funds can only be utilised for first-time pilgrims, according to the amendment.