Jumhooree Party leader and Maamigili constituency MP Qasim Ibrahim has stated that the amendments to the Decentralization Act, which transfer some financial powers from local councils to the central government, will benefit the people, not the government.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the 16th amendment to the Decentralization Act last Thursday. This bill was passed by the 20th People's Majlis on August 6, 2025.

In a statement released on X this morning, Qasim said these amendments are much needed given the current situation.

"The Constitution states that the Maldives is a unitary state, not a federal one! Therefore, the Decentralization Act should also be within the limits of what can be expanded in a unitary state, within that boundary, and should not conflict with the powers and framework of governance of a unitary state," Qasim said.

Qasim noted that while the Maldives has been governed under the decentralization system for about 14 years, some parties are promoting federal thinking, particularly opposition parties.

Qasim said that councils should not be given the opportunity to release land plots in islands or hire a large number of employees for political gain ahead of upcoming elections.

"The law should not give councilors the power to create additional positions beyond what the state budget can afford, in order to win the next term. For example, since the current council term ends in May 2026, with about 10 months left, councils should be sincere to the unitary state concept stated in the Constitution. These amendments will actually benefit the people, not the government," Qasim said.

He added that other amendments to the law will also benefit the people, including restrictions on the business activities of Local Authority Companies to prevent them from competing with existing private businesses in the islands.