ICOM Fines Islamic Ministry by MVR 700 for Failing to Attend RTI Hearings
Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed speakint at the groundbreaking of Darul Arqam Waqf building on November 20, 2025 | Photo: President’s Office
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICOM) has imposed an administrative fine of MVR 700 on the Ministry of Islamic Affairs for repeatedly failing to attend scheduled meetings related to a Right to Information (RTI) review, in violation of the Right to Information Act.
According to the a statement released by the office today, a meeting to review a specific RTI case was first scheduled for 3 February. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs did not attend, prompting the meeting to be rescheduled to 8 February 2026 at the ministry’s request. The ministry again failed to attend, according to the statement.
The Commission then rescheduled the meeting for 9 February. The statement said that the ministry once again failed to attend.
މަޢުލޫމާތު ހޯދައި ލިބިގަތުމުގެ ޙައްޤުގެ ޤާނޫނުގެ 67 ވަނަ މާއްދާގެ ދަށުން އިންފޮމޭޝަން ކޮމިޝަނަރަށް ލިބިފައިވާ ޖޫރިމާނާ ކުރުމުގެ ބާރުގެ ދަށުން މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް އިސްލާމިކް އެފެއާޒް ޖޫރިމަނާކުރުން pic.twitter.com/4wajGHdxMr— Information Commissioner's Office – Maldives (@ICOMaldives) February 9, 2026
The Commission said the repeated absences obstructed the lawful duties of the Information Commissioner’s Office. Citing the Right to Information Act, the Commission decided to impose an administrative penalty of MVR 700 for failing to attend the scheduled meetings on 3 February, 8 February and 9 February. The statement said that the ministry must pay the fine to the state in accordance with established procedures.
