Transparency Maldives Criticizes MPs’ Advocacy for Personal Interests Over Public

Transparency Maldives has raised concerns about the advocacy of MPs for personal interests over those of the public, criticizing the current regime on asset declaration. 

https://x.com/TransparencyMV/status/1808767331046470101

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According to the NGO, MPs are only required to submit their initial asset declaration to Parliament one and a half years after taking office. This delay, they argue, complicates efforts to monitor any potential illicit enrichment during this period.

In a statement, Transparency Maldives highlighted that this gap could allow MPs to prioritise their personal interests rather than those of their constituents. They noted that out of the 93 MPs in the current parliamentary assembly, 67 are newly elected, leading to a lack of transparency regarding their assets, liabilities, and other income sources, as well as potential conflicts of interest.

The organisation called for MPs to proactively disclose their asset declarations upon taking office, aiming to strengthen public trust in anti-corruption measures. Transparency Maldives also emphasised their efforts to enhance the current asset declaration system in line with international standards. 

They cited the submission of a bill on financial and other interests to the 19th parliamentary assembly in February 2022, which aimed to establish a more effective and consistent declaration process with penalties for non-disclosure.