President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to propose legal reforms to the Penal Code in order to facilitate broader investigations into battling corruption and illicit enrichment. The announcement was made by the President in a post share don social media.
In the social media post, President Dr. Muizzu stated that decisions have been made to propose amendments to investigate corruption cases within the government authorities, suspected of gaining or having gained illicit gains. As such, he stated that amendments will be brought to section 515 of the Penal Code. The President disclosed that this decision will be forwarded to the Parliament next week.
Section 515 of the Penal Code criminalises and codifies illicit gains. President Dr. Muizzu noted that these reforms, will grant facilitate broad powers to investigate the President, members of the Cabinet, Members of Parliament, Judges, civil employees and former civil employees, suspected of gaining or having gained illicit gains.
President Dr. Muizzu, on multiple platforms, had reiterated his and his Administration’s commitment to eliminating corruption from all strata of society. In his inaugural address since taking office as President, he committed to being a fair leader, explicitly denouncing all forms of theft and corruption.
Regarding this move by President Dr. Muizzu, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan stated that the current Penal Code was just written laws, with no intentions of being implemented. He lauded the President's decision of introducing legal reforms to combat corruption, stating that the amendment will play a key role in addressing corruption cases.