Yameen demands audit of Malé council funds

Former President and opposition leader Abdulla Yameen on Monday called for an extensive audit of the Malé City Council to investigate alleged financial irregularities since its establishment.

The demand follows claims of corruption during the tenure of President Mohamed Muizzu, who previously served as Mayor of Malé City.

During his address to supporters at his party office, Yameen highlighted the lack of financial accountability in the city council, criticising the Audit Office for failing to scrutinise its operations. 

"The biggest problem is, why is a place with such a large capital not being audited? Where is the Auditor General, and what is he doing?" he asked.

He emphasised that the council is entrusted with substantial funds from the state budget, making financial transparency crucial.

The controversy centres on allegations of irregular expenditures under Muizzu’s mayoralty. A Progressive National Congress (PNC) activist alleged that MVR 3.4 million was allocated for repairs to the new cemetery mosque, with an additional MVR 4.1 million spent, raising questions about the handling of public funds.

Yameen called for an audit of not just the current council but also previous administrations, asserting that transparency is vital for public trust.

"I believe that an audit [of the city council] should be done first. Why isn't it being audited? The role of the previous mayors should also be audited," he said.

The opposition leader criticised the lack of oversight from constitutional bodies, urging immediate action to address potential misuse of public funds. 

"This is an institution created by the constitution, but nothing is being done," he remarked.