Ex-pres Yameen entitled to benefits, no budget allocated

The budget for the upcoming year does not include allocations to pay allowances to former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom.

As per the Former Presidents Protection and Benefits Act, any former president who served a term in office will receive a monthly allowance of MVR 50,000, while any former president who served two terms in office will receive a monthly allowance of MVR 75,000. In addition, they will also receive allowances to cover their accommodation and administrative expenses.

In this regard, former President Maumooon Abdul Gayyoom will receive MVR 75,000 per month, while President Mohamed Nasheed and Mohamed Waheed will both receive MVR 50,000 each. They will also receive MVR 17,500 for administrative expenses. MVR 173.9 million was allocated in the budget for 2022 for the purpose.

President Yameen received allowances and security until he was incarcerated on a money laundering conviction in November 2019. He was stripped of the benefits as Article 10 of the Act states that the state must withdraw benefits for former presidents and their spouses if convicted and jailed for a criminal offense committed during his presidency.

However, the money laundering conviction against Yameen was overturned by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Due to the development, he is not convicted of any criminal offenses and is entitled to state benefits. While no budget has been allocated to provide him benefits and protection, no government authorities answered how the payout would be managed when asked regarding the matter by AVAS.