Several government ministers have voiced their confidence in President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration, asserting its zero-tolerance stance on corruption. This comes in response to recent allegations regarding the management of Hulhumalé land plots issued under the previous government's 'Binveriyaa' housing scheme.
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) launched an investigation into the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) following these allegations. In response, the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) suspended the Board of Directors of HDC, with the exception of the chairperson.
Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar, took to social media to defend the administration. President Dr Muizzu's actions demonstrate his commitment to preventing corruption within his administration, he said, underscoring that the president would not allow any actions that infringe upon the rights of citizens. He also highlighted the importance of collective efforts from government and state institutions and the public to combat corruption.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, also voiced his support for the administration. In a social media post, he expressed confidence that President Dr Muizzu would take the necessary steps to combat corruption, which he deemed vital for the nation's future. He also pledged his support for any actions taken by President Dr Muizzu in this regard.
President Dr Muizzu earlier affirmed his administration's commitment to eradicating corruption within government and state institutions. He has pledged to eliminate all barriers to these efforts and to uphold justice in every action, consistently advocating against corruption.
Following the investigation into the Hulhumalé land plot allegations, HDC's Managing Director, Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, along with several board directors, was suspended. Among those suspended are Azhar Abdulla Saeed, Ibrahim Yoosuf Fulhu, Muhammad Visham, Ula Mohamed Rasheed, Arif Abdul Samad, Mohamed Naajil, Mohamed Waheed, Fathmath Mizna Ali, and Yoosuf Waheed.
Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, Deputy Managing Director of Malé Water and Sewerage Company Pvt. Ltd. (MWSC), was also suspended—Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed and Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed are brothers.
These suspensions follow assurances from Chief Spokesperson at the President's Office, Heena Waleed, that President Dr Muizzu's administration remains committed to respecting and upholding the rights of recipients of housing scheme land plots. The Binveriya housing scheme, initiated by the previous government, aimed to provide land plots for residents of Malé City and declared over 9,000 individuals as recipients of these plots.