The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) on Monday, called on the authorities to expedite investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of power, urging strict action against perpetrators.
PNC in a statement said the Maldivian people elected President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in the hope that his Administration would eradicate corruption from the country and impartially investigate the allegations of widespread corruption in the previous government.
The PNC statement noted that the government has already initiated significant efforts to curb corruption at a national level.
The ruling party also alluded to the considerable progress made by independent institutions, the Parliamentary Public Accounts and the Maldives Police Service in their investigations into corruption, adding that multiple instances of corruption involving several high-level officials of the previous Administration have come to light during the investigations.
PNC expressed concern and disappointment over the attempts to hinder the investigations, describing it as politically motivated efforts to undermine the outcome of the corruption investigations.
The statement also said the now opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had authorities to investigate allegations of corruption against some of its lawmakers in 2023. However, the political influence within investigative authorities had prevented impartial investigations as MDP had demanded, PNC said.
PNC has also called on the authorities to expedite the ongoing investigations into corruption and make its findings public without delay, urging immediate action against those responsible for corruption and injustice.
The statement insisted that the government of President Muizzu has clearly demonstrated that it will not allow any political influence or interference in corruption investigations.
PNC assured its full cooperation to the government’s efforts to curb corruption and to instill transparency and integrity, which it described as the cornerstones of democracy.
The ruling party’s statement comes amid investigations into corruption allegations against several high ranking officials of the previous Administration.