The new Land Transport Act has established a statutory framework enabling individuals to submit complaints to the ministry regarding penalties imposed under the legislation.

Introduced by the government, passed by Parliament on October 26, and ratified by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Monday, the new Land Transport Act prescribes fines ranging from MVR 100 to MVR 100,000 for various offenses, alongside specifying circumstances under which criminal charges may be filed.

However, the legislation mandates that the Ministry of Transport must institute a formal complaints mechanism concerning fines issued under the Act.

Under this framework, the ministry possesses the authority to review submitted complaints and re-examine the penalties; in instances where a fine warrants cancellation following review, the ministry must void the fine.

The Act stipulates that if an annulled fine has already been paid by the complainant, the amount must be refunded to the individual within 15 working days from the date of the annulment decision.

Furthermore, the Act provides that regulations formulated under the law must detail the framework for submitting complaints, the conditions under which penalties may be reviewed, and fair procedures governing the process.

Although the President has ratified the legislation and published it in the Government Gazette, the Act will take effect 30 days after its publication date.