Overview
The People’s Majlis is the unicameral parliament of the Maldives, dominated by the ruling PNC. In August 2026 it became the fastest-moving part of the state’s response to the Dollar Shortage, passing tax law in eight days and processing a foreign currency bill that criminalises parallel-market activity.
Role in the intelligence picture
Legislative speed is itself a signal. Measures that reprice the Tourism Industry are moving through the Majlis with little consultation, in a sector that contracts a season ahead. Tracking bill status here gives the earliest warning of changes to FX Regulation and TGST.
Recent developments
- 15 to 23 August 2026: the GST amendment taxing overseas agents was submitted on 15 August and passed 54 to 2 on 23 August, taking effect 1 October, six weeks after submission.
- 18 August 2026: the floor sent the foreign currency bill back to committee for being insufficiently strict; the Public Accounts Committee passed it the next day with an amendment criminalising black-market dollar activity, with fines up to MVR 1m for individuals and MVR 5m for businesses, including for repeating the street rate. The session was extended to 27 August by a 58-0 vote. No floor vote had been reported by end-August.
- 5 August 2026: a Decentralisation Act amendment would let the Cabinet take land out of council hands for government development projects, per Avas.
- 3 August 2026: the ruling PNC disputed reporting on its decision to elect vice-presidents by open ballot rather than secret vote at its September congress.
Related topics
FX Regulation · TGST · Tax Risk · Government Fiscal Position · MIRA · Maldives Monetary Authority