The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has launched a new online portal to facilitate the submission of information and evidence from the public pertaining to the ongoing investigations into the alleged mismanagement of flats and land plots issued under the Gedhoruveriya and Binveriya housing schemes.
In a post to social media, the MPS encouraged the public to utilise the portal evidence.police.gov.mv to submit any pertinent information and evidence that could assist the investigation. All submissions would remain confidential, police assured, highlighting that individuals could make contributions anonymously.
This initiative is in response to allegations of improper allocation of housing units and land plots by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC). Accusations suggest that certain HDC staff members may have granted flats and land plots to individuals who were not eligible to receive them.
Following the commencement of the police investigation, the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) suspended the board of directors of HDC, excluding the chairperson, on 19 December. The suspended members include Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed and board directors Azhar Abdulla Saeed, Ibrahim Yoosuf Fulhu, Muhammad Visham, Ula Mohamed Rasheed, Arif Abdul Samad, Mohamed Naajil, Mohamed Waheed, Fathmath Mizna Ali, and Yoosuf Waheed.
The PCB stated that the suspensions aim to facilitate the police investigation. The board's suspension will remain in effect until further notice, it added.
In response to the suspension, Rasheed tendered his resignation on Saturday, citing his dedication to supporting the police and other relevant authorities in their investigations while also ensuring the uninterrupted continuation of government policies.
Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, the Deputy Managing Director of Malé Water and Sewerage Company Pvt. Ltd. (MWSC) and brother of the HDC Managing Director, has also been suspended in relation to the ongoing police investigation. Concurrently, other pertinent institutions are conducting their own investigations into the matter.