MDP urges ACC to investigate and suspend payments for projects awarded without bidding

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has filed a case with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), calling for an immediate investigation into a series of government projects reportedly awarded without a competitive bidding process over the past week.

The case was officially submitted at 11am on Monday.

Speaking to RaajjeMV regarding the case, MDP’s Legal Director Ahmed Mauroof said that the party had expected relevant oversight bodies to initiate an investigation independently, expressing concern that no action has been taken so far.

MDP has urged the ACC to not only investigate the matter but also to issue an order halting advance payments for these projects, warning that proceeding under the current framework could lead to serious long-term repercussions.

Mauroof revealed that under existing laws, the authority to suspend such transactions rests with the investigating body, in this case, ACC. The party has also challenged the recent amendments to the Public Finance Regulations, which he said, have created loopholes that enable corruption and misuse of state funds.

Mauroof criticized the lack of accountability from institutions responsible for monitoring government spending, stating that inaction in the face of clear irregularities amounts to complicity.

Further, he pledged that a future MDP-led government would not only investigate the projects awarded under the current administration but also examine the failures of those who neglected their oversight duties.

Reports indicate that these projects are being financed through loans issued by the Bank of Maldives (BML) to private companies with government guarantees. The loans are reportedly being provided at an interest rate of nine percent, raising further concerns about the financial burden such arrangements may place on public resources.