Civil Servants Can Play Key Role in Tackling Corruption, Says Minister Shafeeu

Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development Dr Ismail Shafeeu has said civil service employees can play a central role in eliminating corruption, speaking at the opening ceremony of this year’s Civil Service Conference.

Dr Shafeeu emphasised that civil servants carry the responsibility of delivering government services regardless of which administration is in power. He highlighted the importance of maintaining strong work ethics across the public service.

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He noted that the Maldivian Civil Service employs around 35,000 workers, including contract staff, with roughly one civil servant serving every 15 people in the country. He also pointed to the significant share of the state budget allocated to public sector wages and operations.

ސިވިލް ސަރވިސް ކޮންފަރެންސް 2026 ވަނީ 13 ޖޫން 2026 ގައި ފަށާފައި. 3 ދުވަހުގެ މުއްދަތަށް ދެމިގެންދާ މި ކޮންފަރެންސް ފެށުމުގެ ރަސްމިއްޔާތު ޝަރަފުވެރިކޮށްދެއްވާފައިވަނީ މިނިސްޓަރ އޮފް އެޑިޔުކޭޝަން، ހަޔަރ އެޑިޔުކޭޝަން އެންޑް ސްކިލްސް ޑިވެލޮޕްމަންޓް ޑރ އިސްމާޢީލް ޝަފީޢުއެވެ. pic.twitter.com/IfYJf2YOEo— Civil Service Commission of the Maldives (@cscmaldives) June 13, 2026

Dr Shafeeu said public expectations for faster service delivery can only be met when employees report to work regularly and institutions function efficiently. He warned that delays in service delivery can erode public trust in state institutions.

Addressing corruption concerns, the Minister said administrative inefficiencies can create conditions that lead to financial corruption. He stated that civil servants are therefore in a strong position to prevent corruption through improved professionalism and accountability.

He added that eliminating administrative corruption would help establish institutions that are more trustworthy and capable of delivering services effectively.

Dr Shafeeu said the government is also focusing on governance reform through the “Maldives 2.0” initiative under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, noting that the public is expected to see outcomes from the programme later this year and into next year.

He called on civil servants to work towards building a public service system that prioritises efficiency, accountability and public satisfaction.