Opposition lawmaker Mauroof Zakir on Tuesday accused the Muizzu government of deliberately pushing the country into crisis as part of an alleged effort to extend the president’s term in office.

Speaking during a parliamentary debate on a government-sponsored referendum bill, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP alleged that the administration is prioritising constitutional amendments over urgent national needs such as healthcare, food security, and basic public services.

“What is the government trying to do? They have brought the country to this state and are now trying to prolong the president’s term. What is this? What kind of king has come?” Mauroof said during the heated session. “He has not even fulfilled his own promises, and the whole country is being dragged under by the tide.”

He also warned that the price of US dollars has risen to record highs while the economy and public services are in a worrying state.

“People are in debt because of extremely high food prices. People are not getting basic medicines. They are not getting Aasandha [state health insurance support],” Mauroof said. “People call every day saying they can’t get their medicines. But is this what the government sees as most important at this moment? Be more responsible.”

He further noted that many infrastructure projects have been halted and that citizens in his constituency were not receiving services from completed water and sewerage systems.

Mauroof also alleged that the government is attempting to “control the parliament” by making secret monthly payments of MVR 50,000 to lawmakers from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

“We must stop this attempt to change the entire laws and system just as the president wants, while denying the people the most basic services,” he said.

Opposition MPs who took part in the debate questioned the government’s intentions behind the bill, which is part of President Mohamed Muizzu’s wider constitutional reform agenda. The proposed law gives the president the authority to call a referendum by decree on matters deemed of national importance.

Opposition MP Ameen Faisal of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) proposed the inclusion of a mechanism for mid-term referendums, saying citizens should have the right to assess whether the government is fulfilling its pledges.

“This bill does not include any provisions for citizens to initiate a referendum. If it is meant to empower the people, the first thing to include is a system where people can have their say,” Ameen said.

The bill, submitted by PNC parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falaah, allows referendums to be called by presidential decree or through parliamentary approval. Under the bill, the Elections Commission would be required to hold a referendum within 45 to 90 days after receiving a request, with all citizens aged 18 and above eligible to participate in a secret ballot.

The bill would open the door to public votes on major national and constitutional issues – including changes to fundamental rights, the president’s powers and term length, the election process, and parliamentary composition. Referendum questions could be bundled into a single vote and withdrawn at any time before the Elections Commission sets a polling date.

The legislative push follows Muizzu’s announcement in his presidential address that his administration would establish a framework for national referendums. He has also proposed adopting a preferential voting system for presidential elections to avoid costly run-off rounds.

Muizzu has further suggested moving the presidential swearing-in date from 17 November to 11 November, Republic Day. The current inauguration date was established following delays and legal disputes during the 2013 election cycle. The president has also floated the idea of holding presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day, though no bill has yet been submitted.