President denies receiving Zuhoor’s letter alleging Fazul's graft
President Muizzu addressed the claims, asserting that if the letter had been received, he would have taken action.
President Mohamed Muizzu said on Sunday that he did not receive a letter from former Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Chairman Ahmed Zuhoor, which detailed alleged fraud and theft involving the corporation's former Managing Director, Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed.
During an informal discussion with journalists on Sunday, President Muizzu addressed the claims, asserting that if the letter had been received, he would have taken action.
“I have not received the letter. If I had, I would have acted or looked into it,” the president said, emphasising his commitment to addressing corruption and illegal activities within his administration.
Zuhoor, who served as HDC Chairman from February until his dismissal in May, stated that he had sent a seven-page letter to the president in July, outlining allegations of misconduct by Fazul. The letter, which surfaced publicly on Thursday, was verified by reliable sources, according to local media outlets.
In the letter, Zuhoor alleged that Fazul had engaged in fraudulent activities for personal benefit, including irregularities in land allocations. Among the claims was an accusation that Fazul’s wife, Zulfina Rasheed, had facilitated corruption by unlawfully allocating land.
Zuhoor also described challenges he faced as chairman in addressing these issues. He claimed that his attempts to hold HDC management accountable were obstructed and that Fazul denied him access to necessary information and meetings.
“My priority was to address complaints and resolve issues,” Zuhoor wrote, adding that his efforts were met with resistance.
He alleged that Fazul showed hostility when confronted and dismissed his concerns.
The letter also detailed operational shortcomings within the HDC, including a lack of transparency in board meetings, restricted access to documents, and an inability for board members to fulfil their governance responsibilities effectively.
Zuhoor’s dismissal in May followed a period of increasing tensions. He noted that his removal came amid ongoing allegations against Fazul, including claims that Fazul’s brother, Mohamed Fazeel, had improperly benefited from land allocations.
President Muizzu, meanwhile, reiterated his stance on combating corruption, stating that he had acted promptly upon receiving credible information about misconduct at HDC. He denied allegations of inaction and emphasised the importance of accountability.
