Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has said that corruption at MMPRC had been revealed in its investigative process to the President’s Office. The Commission further said that there is no indication that the President’s Office took any measures regarding the findings.

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) had been a front for money laundering and embezzlement during the administration of former President, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

ACC members said this in response to questions posed, after they had presented themselves before the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance. Vice President of the ACC, Muaviz Rasheed revealed that the relevant authorities and institutions had been informed regarding the details of corruption at MMPRC during the investigative process. He said that several areas of improvement had also been delved into with these authorities during the process.

As such, Muaviz said that several details had been shared with the President’s Office. He said however  that there is no confirmation at the ACC that any measures were taken concerning the information.

The Vice President of the ACC further said that there are still various challenges from State institutions on moving forward with the investigations. He noted that the hesitation regarding moving forward with the investigation still persists due to political influence. Muaviz noted that Bank of Maldives (BML) had also initially refused to reveal information regarding the investigation. He said that at that stage, BML had outright said that the information will not be handed over.  

Muaviz said that the the issue only reached a resolution after discussions with the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). He revealed that several other aspects of corruption at MMPRC are still ongoing.

He noted that while some of the concerning parties are currently abroad, there have been difficulties in moving forward with the investigation because of this.