President of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Adam Shamil has pledged to ensure the commission produces results from its corruption investigations.
In a special message posted on the 31st anniversary of the beginning of the fight against corruption in the Maldives, ACC President Shamil acknowledged the public concerns regarding the lack of results achieved so far in the investigation of corruption cases in the country. Highlighting the devastating impact of corruption on the economy and future of the country, Shamil said the whole system needs to be overhauled to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. He said ACC is working on utilising its resources on priority basis in order to achieve the desired outcome from the investigation of corruption cases.
Furthermore, ACC President Shamil acknowledged that public confidence in ACC cannot be reinstated simply by pledges and statements. Shamil expressed confidence the new members of ACC will be able to regain the lost public trust in the commission, by recovering lost funds and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice. He added ACC needs the support and cooperation of state institutions as well as private and public sectors for these efforts.
The fight against corruption began in the Maldives with the formation of Anti-Corruption Board on April 21, 1991. The ratification of the new Constitution of the Maldives in 2008 paved the way for the formation of ACC, which was officially established on October 16, 2008.