In a decisive move to safeguard the nation's youth and economic future, lawmakers have strongly advocated for a ban on gambling, citing its corrosive impact on productivity and the well-being of the younger generation.
The debate centered on a government-proposed amendment to the Penal Code, tabled by Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Azaan Marzooq, which seeks to criminalise gambling activities.
Introducing the bill, Azaan highlighted the alarming rise of gambling, particularly among Maldivian youth, who are increasingly seduced by the false promise of quick riches. He pointed to international studies demonstrating that gambling severely reduces national productivity and inflicts the greatest harm on low- and middle-income earners.
“A lot of people have started doing this because of online gambling. Strict action will be taken against those who operate such online platforms. This will help our future generation to get rid of a very bad habit,” he said.
Echoing these concerns, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim emphasised the pervasive nature of the issue, revealing that local companies are facilitating international gambling operations by processing small, untraceable transactions.
He directly linked the problem to Generation Z, noting how youth are targeted through advertisements, including on popular football jerseys.
“It is important to save the country’s economy,” he asserted.
While expressing broad support for the bill, lawmakers like Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad stressed that the law must be implemented effectively. He cautioned that merely creating the legislation is insufficient without providing the relevant institutions with the necessary resources and authority to enforce it properly.
With widespread cross-party support, the consensus in Parliament is clear—- the amendment must be passed swiftly to take rigorous action against those spreading gambling and to protect the productivity and financial security of the country's next generation.
Parliament majority leader pushes for combined elections, citing millions in savings
During the same extraordinary sitting, lawmakers also debated on a proposed constitutional amendment to synchronise the two national polls.
Speaking during the debate, Ibrahim Falah, the majority leader of Parliament and Inguraidhoo MP insisted that the state stands to save over USD 5 million by merging the presidential and parliamentary elections.
Falah acknowledged that the change would require shortening the current 20th parliamentary term by six months but emphasised that the significant financial and logistical benefits for the nation outweighed any individual inconvenience to its members.
Citing statistics that place the cost of a standalone parliamentary election between USD 3.9 million and USD 5.2 million, Falah argued that combining the elections would result in direct savings of that entire amount.
He further stressed that the timing is opportune, as the constitutional amendment bill requires approval via a public referendum. Holding this vote concurrently with the upcoming local council elections in April, he stated, is the most efficient course of action.
The government's proposal includes postponing the opening of the next parliament to December. With broad support from many political leaders and the mechanism of a public vote ensuring democratic consent, Falah asserted there is little justification for opposing the bill, framing it as a necessary measure for the country's economic and administrative benefit.