Muizzu Says Government Working to Eliminate Corruption From System

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said his administration is working to eliminate corruption from government systems, including through proposed changes to criminal law, stronger institutions, and the digitisation of public services.

“We are currently working to eliminate corruption from within the system,” Muizzu said while speaking at the closing ceremony of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Senate at the Social Centre.

Referring to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption case and the ventilator corruption scandal, the President said previous avenues had failed to recover the misappropriated funds.

Muizzu said an Asset Recovery Bill had now been submitted to Parliament as part of efforts to recover assets linked to financial wrongdoing.

He said the government also plans to strengthen measures against corruption through amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act, enhanced operations at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), an independent judicial system, improved police investigative capacity, and stronger relevant institutions.

“We are digitising the system to close the doors to theft,” Muizzu said.

He linked the digitisation programme to the government’s “Maldives 2.0” initiative, describing it as a necessary step for the Maldives to achieve developed-nation status by 2040. He added that the measures would significantly reduce corruption and ultimately eliminate it.

The President also used the address to outline his government’s broader economic and governance priorities, including efforts to recover state assets and manage debts accumulated by previous administrations.

Muizzu also reiterated that the PNC would follow what he described as a “Pro-Nation First” policy, saying national interests would remain the ruling party’s top priority.