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Maldives pres extends term of assets recovery commission

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has extended the term of commission on state assets recovery.

The five member commission was established in June last year for a period of one year. However, the chair of the commission and home minister Azleen Ahmed told reporters on Tuesday, that the president has now extended its term until November this year.

"Today president Yameen has decided to extend the commission's term until November. Because a lot of our work are at a half way point," Azleen told reporters during a press conference.

The minister reiterated that the commission had uncovered billions of rufiyaa owed to the state adding that the figure stands at MVR29.7 billion so far.

Azleen revealed that the commission had completed its investigation into cases amounting to MVR3.8 billion while the remaining cases totaling MVR25.8 billion were still under investigation.

He warned that despite the huge sums owed to the state, the recovery of state assets was down to the courts.

Government had said the main purpose of establishing the commission was to analyse efforts taken by the institutions to recover State assets highlighted in reports published by the Auditor General and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The five member commission is required to submit a progress report to the president every three months.

Maldives has been ravaged by corruption and embezzlement of millions in state funds with top government officials and institutions, both former and current implicated in various audit and graft reports.