President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to eradicating corruption and ensuring full accountability.
Speaking to the community of Thimarafushi, Thaa Atoll on Friday, the President affirmed that he will ratify the Asset Recovery Bill immediately once the Parliament passes it and forwards it for ratification. He stated that government agencies will begin actively pursuing all individuals involved in major cases of theft and corruption from the moment the Bill comes into effect.
The President explained that the primary purpose of the Asset Recovery Bill is to address the long-standing difficulty of reclaiming funds from individuals implicated in large-scale corruption and theft cases investigated in recent years.
“We have paved the way for the judiciary to investigate orruption cases from the past. We are carrying this out under the legal system,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s broader efforts to eradicate corruption, President Dr Muizzu noted that the Maldives 2.0 digitalisation project represents the largest initiative of its kind, designed to transform governance systems and close off avenues for malpractice.
“We are digitising for this purpose. The governance system is being digitised to eradicate corruption. This will be the biggest initiative undertaken to combat corruption. Although this project is not a building, or something tangible, it will create the real sense that corruption is being rooted out,” he said.
He further assured that his administration would not exert influence over the judiciary or independent institutions, emphasising that their independence is a fundamental principle. He stressed that the government’s role is to enable these institutions to carry out their responsibilities effectively, while urging the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Prosecutor General’s Office to expedite their work.
The President also referred to the Auditor General’s report on the misappropriation of MVR 2.2 billion through Fenaka Corporation Limited, describing it as a deeply regrettable incident. He confirmed that the Maldives Police Service has commenced the necessary investigations. He said he had instructed relevant authorities to expedite the investigation.
“We have witnessed the Fenaka corruption. Fenaka is a company that is active on all islands. What has been done to this company is regrettable. Hundreds of millions have been stolen. The police are already investigating this case, and I have instructed the ACC and the Prosecutor General’s Office to expedite it,” he said.
President Dr Muizzu reaffirmed that no one will be exempt from accountability, pledging to act with fairness and justice in every case. He concluded by underscoring his determination to root out corruption and safeguard the freedoms now enjoyed by the people of the Maldives.