PCB warns action against illegal document destruction

The Privatisation and Corporatisation Board (PCB) on Wednesday issued a warning that they will take legal action against any government-owned company that disposes of any official documentation in violation of laws and regulations.

A video of documents of the state-owned fuel company Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM) being destroyed in a cement mixer in K. Thilafushi had circulated on social media on Sunday. The company's employee, Ahmed Anees, who made the video, was suspended on the same day.

The ACC has asked the PCB to take necessary legal action to prevent such practices, the PCB said in a circular on the destruction of documents of government-owned companies. It said that other parties besides the ACC are also bringing similar issues to the attention of the PCB.

Quoting the 'Procedure on Destruction of Official Documents, Photographs, Charts, Records and Information by Maldivian State Institutions' under the National Archives Act, the PCB said government companies must notify the Director General of National Archives before destroying any such type of official material.

The PCB has asked the boards of directors and management of the companies to remind them not to violate the rules and ensure compliance.

“If we receive information that any company is destroying or has destroyed any official item as mentioned therein in violation of the rules made under the said Act, we will continue to take necessary legal action against such person[s],” the PCB said in a circular.

Following the release of a video of the destruction of FSM documents last Sunday, the company said it destroyed documents that had been stored for a long time and were not usable.

The ACC on Monday brought the matter to the attention of the police following complaints that state documents were being destroyed during the transitional period. The National Archives has also decided to take the FSM case to the police.