An amendment has been proposed to the Maldives Tourism Act to prevent tourism being allowed without the permission of the President.

The amendment was proposed in the Maldives Tourism Act Amendment Bill introduced by the government on last Monday.

The Bill, moved by Macchangolhi South MP Musthafa Hussain, aims to make some changes to the rules governing the lease of islands, land and lagoons for tourism purposes.

The Bill proposes to delete the second paragraph of Article 5 (D) of the Act, which states that permission must be obtained from the Office of the President before leasing an island, land or lagoon.

Article 5 (F) of the Act provides that the Ministry of Tourism, in consultation with the Office of the President, shall prepare and publish a list containing the number of islands, land and lagoons allocated for tourism purposes under this section in each financial year. The Ministry of Tourism reserves the right to make additions to the list with the permission of the President's Office.

The proposed amendment to this section proposes to transfer all mentions of the office of the President, to the President.

It provides that a list containing the number of islands, land and lagoons allocated for tourism purposes in each fiscal year shall be made public in consultation with the President.

The Bill was passed in Parliament and referred to a committee of the whole Parliament for further consideration.