Probe over RTI request for president's retreat island use, expense

The Ministry of Defence has declined a public request for information regarding the number of visits and expenses incurred by President Mohamed Muizzu and his family to the presidential retreat island of K. Aarah, citing security concerns.

The request was submitted on March 25 through the Maholi portal under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

In its response, the Defence Ministry stated that matters related to the presidential residence are managed by a specialised unit within the military, and information pertaining to these activities is accessible only to this unit. The ministry emphasised that disclosing such information could compromise the safety and security of the President and his family.

The ministry further noted that information held exclusively by this unit cannot be shared outside of relevant parliamentary committees. It also indicated that revealing details about the President and his family's residences, including visit frequencies and purposes, could hinder the military's ability to fulfil its security responsibilities. Consequently, the Defence Forces intend to assess the motives of individuals seeking such information.

This development has sparked discussions about the balance between national security and the public's right to information. President Muizzu has previously expressed a commitment to transparency, stating that his administration prioritises information disclosure to levels not experienced before. He highlighted that approximately 91 percent of RTI requests had been addressed, and dedicated platforms for government news had been established.

However, there have been instances where ministries have withheld information. For example, the Defence Ministry previously declined to provide details on political appointees, directing inquiries to its website, which lacked comprehensive information.