Nazim says evidence against individuals in MVR 14M from MMPRC scandal
He added that the dismissal of heads of certain state-owned companies also demonstrated the government’s stance against corruption.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Dhiggaru PNC MP Ahmed Nazim has said evidence has been found identifying individuals who received MVR 14.6 million linked to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption case, which occurred during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen.
Nazim made the remarks on Monday during the parliamentary debate on the Finance Committee’s report on the special audit of Maldives Ports Limited’s (MPL) diesel purchase transactions between 2018 and 2020.
Some opposition MPs used the debate to criticise President Mohamed Muizzu for not taking action on alleged thefts by the current administration. In response, Nazim, a member of the Finance Committee, said measures were being taken to address corruption and cited President Muizzu’s stated position that such practices would not be tolerated.
Nazim said one example was the decision to allow audits of security service institutions for the first time. He noted that the Auditor General’s Office had completed an audit of POLCO, and the report had been submitted to Parliament.
“The audit has revealed significant findings. We have identified the people who used MVR 14.6 million of MMPRC scam funds,” he said.
He added that the dismissal of heads of certain state-owned companies also demonstrated the government’s stance against corruption. However, he acknowledged that more work was needed.
Nazim confirmed the audit report on POLCO had been finalised but said the committee had not yet made it public. Most of the committee’s meetings on the matter had been held in private.
The MMPRC corruption case, uncovered during the Yameen administration, involved large-scale misappropriation of state funds. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power in 2018 promising a full investigation, forming a presidential commission to lead the inquiry. While the investigation proceeded and Yameen was imprisoned, no funds were recovered. Solih’s later decision to pardon former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb drew criticism.
