Main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is seeking the dismissal of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)'s members after the Prosecutor General''s Office on Tuesday rejected the commission's request seeking charges Health Ministry officials.
ACC sought charges against 11 officials from the Health Ministry, including Health Minister Abdulla Ameen, for the alleged fraudulent procurement of ventilators during the current COVID-19 pandemic. While the Proecutor General's Office dismissed the case citing lack of sufficient evidence, parliament members from MDP has voiced lack of confidence in the members of ACC.
ACC requested Prosecutor General’s Office to press charges against the Minister of Health along with 10 other individuals on 14th October 2020 after reviewing the compliance audit reports on the Health Ministry's COVID-19 spending. According to the report, procurement of 75 ventilators were contracted to Dubai based company, Executors General Trading, in violation of regulations in place.
ACC’s efficiency in investigating been a subject of criticism even before the discrepencies in the ventilator bid came to light. The rejection of the request for charfes has raised further criticism by several MDP parliament members.
MP for Galolhu South constituency, Mikaeel Ahmed Naseem stated the PG’s decision today was the result of rushing to press charges after being summoned to the Parliament.
“No faith in the Anti-Corruption Commission. Will propose to eliminate them,” said Meekail.
Hassan Ahmed, MP for Inguraidhoo constituency also stated that the dsmissal of ACC will be proposed at the Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee later on Tuesday.
