ACC Concludes 115 MMPRC Fraud Cases, Orders Recovery of MVR 640 Million
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has concluded 115 cases of Maldives Media and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) fraud, instructing the Attorney General’s Office (AG Office) and MMPRC to recover MVR 640 million.
This revelation was made during a meeting of the parliament’s Committee on Independent Institutions yesterday, where ACC members provided updates on the case.
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ACC’s Vice President, Abdul Salam, reported that the commission investigated 116 cases involving MVR 948 million, all related to the MMPRC fraud. Of these, 115 cases have been concluded, and the state was instructed to recover MVR 640 million.
However, no lawsuits have been filed to reclaim the funds, Salam noted. He explained that the ACC does not possess the legal authority to sue and recover funds, which is why both MMPRC and the AG Office were notified to proceed with the legal process multiple times.
Salam highlighted ongoing debates about whether it should be MMPRC or the Attorney General’s Office to file the lawsuits. He also disclosed that MMPRC has now decided to initiate legal action to recover the funds, and that the ACC will be collaborating with the corporation to discuss the matter further.
Salam stressed the seriousness of state agencies not recovering funds ordered to be recovered by the ACC. Consequently, the commission has resolved to take action against such agencies, with these actions to be made public.
ACC Criticizes Banking Transparency, Slams MMA Oversight
Additionally, the ACC stated that obtaining information from banks in the Maldives for investigations into corruption and fraud cases is very difficult, raising concerns about the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA)’s inadequate monitoring of the banking system.
Speaking at the parliament’s Committee on Independent Institutions, ACC President Adam Shamil reported that the commission had made multiple attempts to obtain information from banks, but had encountered no progress.
Shamil attributed this issue to insufficient monitoring of the banking system in the Maldives by the MMA. He remarked, “We have to see whether MMA is fulfilling its responsibility. MMA has not updated their regulations within their legal framework to the most modern standards. We have to assess what actions have been taken since the MMPRC case.”
He emphasized that effective monitoring of the banking system is crucial for investigative agencies to access the necessary information. Shamil noted that resolving this issue would expedite ACC investigations.
Shamil underscored the importance of investigating how the accused in corruption cases, such as Fenaka Corporation and MMPRC, acquired financial benefits and unjust fortunes. He suggested that this could be achieved by examining their net worth, analysing their bank transactions, and assessing their financial gains.
