ICOM to file charges against housing ministry employees for withholding flat information
Muizzu's pledge of transparency contradicts the housing ministry's refusal to release information about government flats
Housing Minister Muththalib (L) with President Muizzu (R) at an event to inaugurate the practical work of the Muli - Naalaafushi causeway project
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICOM) has decided to file charges against several employees of the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, for refusing to provide information related to government flats, which has been deemed a violation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The decision came despite repeated assurances from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration that his government would operate transparently and have “nothing to hide.”
According to sources, the charges stem from the housing ministry employees’ disobedience to an official order issued by ICOM.
The commission confirmed that it is in the process of forwarding the case to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) for prosecution.
In preparation for filing the case, ICOM has taken formal statements from the ministry’s former Information Officer Zahaanath, current Information Officer Mifzal, and Legal Officer Eeman.
The commission expects to submit the case to the PG Office next week.
Under Article 65 of the Right to Information Act, if 45 days pass without compliance or appeal following an Information Commissioner’s decision, ICOM has the authority to request the PG Office to submit the matter to court for action against those who disobey a legal order.
The case originated from a request submitted to ICOM by a private individual on 4 October 2025, under the RTI Act. The individual sought confirmation on whether they were included among those who received flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriyaa’ scheme, as referenced in an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation into the allocation of government flats.
Despite the legal obligation to disclose the requested information, the housing ministry has refused to comply. The refusal stands in sharp contrast to President Muizzu’s campaign pledge that his administration would be fully transparent, eliminating the need for citizens to file RTI requests.
