President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has commenced the required actions on the investigation report prepared by the Presidential Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery.
In a tweet, President Solih revealed the asset recovery commission had presented the investigation report prepared on the embezzlement of state funds and assets. The president stated the required action with regards to the report is now being taken.
The Presidential Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery was established on November 17, 2018. The commission is tasked with recuperating state assets lost from January 2012 till November 2018, and to ensure that all responsible authorities carry out their legal duties in investigating corruption and abuse of power within state and government institutions.
The biggest case investigated by the commission is the embezzlement of state funds through Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom. Sharing details of the investigation into the case, the President of the Commission Ahmed As’ad revealed 37 islands and 12 lagoons were fraudulently leased for tourism purposes, resulting in a massive financial loss to the state. He stated the commission is active pursuing 30 separate cases in relation to the MMPRC corruption scandal, of which two have have already been forwarded for prosecution, while five will be sent for prosecution in the near future.
As’ad also added the commission is pursuing corruption investigations pertinent to the construction of Dharumavantha Hospital and Fushi Dhiggaru. He explained new evidence has come to light which the commission is duty-bound to pursue, despite these cases having been concluded earlier.