Case filed with ACC to halt land reclamation projects carried out for political gain
The case was filed by Ahmed “Maaz” Saleem, a member of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) National Congress.
MDP's Maaz Saleem submits case to ACC | Raajje MV
A formal complaint has been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seeking an immediate halt to land reclamation projects being carried out across the Maldives for political leverage.
The case was filed by Ahmed “Maaz” Saleem, a member of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) National Congress.
In the complaint submitted on Tuesday, Saleem asserted that the ongoing land reclamation projects across the country are being executed in violation of the Maldives Environmental Protection and Preservation Act.
He highlighted that there is no urgent necessity to reclaim land at the cost of extensive environmental damage. Further, he highlighted that numerous dredgers have been brought into the country for these activities without any competitive bidding process, facilitating corruption.
Saleem has requested ACC to issue an interim order to stop these projects and to investigate the matter as a high-priority case.
He emphasized that it is a legal obligation of ACC to collaborate with other relevant institutions to prevent these actions and to investigate the matter as swiftly as possible.
Saleem stated that the Constitution mandates the State to protect the environment, describing it as a fundamental duty. He noted that efforts to achieve economic and social progress must align with the principles of sustainable development and environmental preservation.
He further alleged that the current administration is engaging in blatant acts of corruption that are escalating daily due to ACC’s failure to fulfill its legally mandated responsibilities.
Saleem claimed that the government is misusing laws and regulations through deceit and influence to carry out land reclamation for political advantage. He stated that these actions are proceeding after undermining the authority of institutions legally empowered to monitor and investigate environmental matters.
Saleem warned that if ACC fails to issue an interim order to halt these activities, the state treasury will suffer losses amounting to billions of Maldivian Rufiyaa, and the environment will sustain irreparable damage.
