SOE committee asked to investigate Maldive Gas payment loss

A request has been made for the State-Owned Enterprises Committee of the People’s Majlis to investigate the loss of an advance payment made by Maldive Gas for a gas shipment.

Ahmed Shakir, a member of parliament for Maavah representing the Maldivian Democratic Party, wrote to Abdul Raheem Abdulla on Tuesday requesting that the matter be referred to the SOE Committee.

In his letter, Shakir said the advance payment of USD 246,645 made for an USD 800,000 gas shipment ordered in October 2024 raised concerns regarding the management of a government-owned company. He asked the committee to review the circumstances surrounding the payment.

Reports of Maldive Gas losing around USD 240,000, equivalent to about MVR 3.7 million, without receiving the shipment first emerged in April last year. At the time, the Parliament Finance Committee and the Anti-Corruption Commission were reported to be examining the issue.

During an extraordinary sitting of parliament held while the legislature was in recess, allegations were raised against Abdulla Mohamed, accusing him of gambling and causing losses of about USD 250,000 to Maldive Gas. The allegation was first made by Hussain Ziyad and later echoed by Ahmed Shamheed.

Both members of parliament have said they were subsequently threatened by Abdulla Mohamed, citing posts he made on social media.