Solih urges withdrawal of decentralisation amendments

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has urged the government to withdraw the proposed amendments to the Decentralisation Act, stating that the changes would negatively impact island communities.

Solih made the appeal through a post on ‘X’ on Sunday night. He expressed concern over the proposed amendments, warning that altering the system for political reasons could bring adverse consequences to residents of the islands.

In his statement, Solih highlighted the importance of decentralisation, which he described as a key structural reform that allowed local communities to take part in their own development. He noted that the 2019 amendments to the Decentralisation Act were passed with support across the political spectrum.

Solih said it is unjust for the central government to withhold the authority to develop islands in the Maldives. He added that each island’s jurisdiction is now defined under the law, and councils receive a share of state revenue through block grants.

This, he said, has allowed local councils to issue business permits and manage development activities. As a result, councils have begun to benefit economically.

Solih cautioned against disrupting the decentralised system at a time when the changes brought in 2019 are beginning to yield results.

The government has proposed new amendments to the Decentralisation Act. The first reading of the bill is scheduled for Monday.

The proposed revisions include a reassessment of state grant funding regulations and changes to the procedures councils must follow when making financial decisions in the final year of their term.