Shujau removed from SOE committee amid graft probes
He had earlier been removed from the Parliament’s Finance Committee and reassigned to the National Development and Heritage Committee.
Parliament on Tuesday announced the removal of Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau from the State Owned Enterprises (SOE) Committee.
The decision follows a report by the Maldives Monetary Authority’s (MMA) Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which highlights transactions from the past two years allegedly benefiting companies in which Shujau holds shares. He had earlier been removed from the Parliament’s Finance Committee and reassigned to the National Development and Heritage Committee.
Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla confirmed the changes during Tuesday’s sitting. According to the announcement:
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Ihavandhoo MP Ahmed Rasheed has been appointed to replace Shujau on the SOE Committee.
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The Judiciary Committee has replaced Huraa MP Dr Anara Naeem with Vilufushi MP Hassan Waheed.
Shujau, who is the vice-president of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and the senior deputy leader of the party’s parliamentary group, has been under scrutiny since the FIU report began circulating on social media. The report also names Fisheries Ministry Deputy Minister Mohamed Nafiz and PSM board member Ahmed Adham, a shareholder of Official Events, in connection with related transactions.
Shujau has questioned the authenticity of the report. However, the Maldives Police Service has confirmed an investigation is ongoing, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also stated it has been conducting its own investigation into the matter since last year.
Committee assignments in Parliament are managed by the political parties of the respective members.
The companies named in the FIU report include:
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Official Events
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Swan Family
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Stow Pros Trading
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Quick Sure
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DQ Holdings
According to the report:
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The Ministry of Finance transferred MVR 23 million to SIWEC on 13 November 2023, intended for expenses related to President Mohamed Muizzu’s swearing-in ceremony.
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SIWEC deposited MVR 13 million to Official Events.
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SIWEC also transferred MVR 4.2 million to DQ Holdings and MVR 2.3 million to Quick Sure.
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From the funds received by Official Events, MVR 8 million was spent to purchase two apartments at Rainbow Residences as a commitment fee for its shareholders. The total value of each apartment is MVR 20 million.
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Additional payments were also received by Male’ City Council, Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL), and State Trading Organisation (STO) in relation to Official Events.
