Popular Maldives: ACC is Leveling Entirely False Allegations Against the Company Regarding MMPRC Case
Popular Maldives has announced its decision to pursue legal action against the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), alleging that the watchdog is leveling false accusations to obstruct the development of Th. Olhugiri. The company claims that the ACC’s decision to forward the case to the Prosecutor General’s Office after seven years is a calculated attempt to damage its reputation following the filing of the lawsuit, further asserting that the commission lacks the legal authority to mandate the termination of existing agreements.
The sign board of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC.) | ACC
Popular Maldives Private Limited has dismissed the allegations made against it by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in connection with the MMPRC scandal, labeling them as entirely baseless and false.
In a press release, the company stated that following the Anti-Corruption Commission's initial suspension of islands leased through MMPRC, nearly all of them have now been released for development, with many projects already completed and operational.
However, noting that Th. Olhugiri has not been vacated even after seven years, the company stated that all efforts to develop the island during this period have failed because the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been intimidating investors by claiming an ongoing investigation. The company further questioned whether the ACC has been indirectly obstructing the project for the past seven years to achieve a specific ulterior motive.
Popular Maldives has announced its decision to seek legal recourse to claim its rights over Olhugiri, asserting that the company has made all necessary payments for the island. According to the statement, following the company's filing of the case with the Civil Court in December 2025, the court has ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to respond to the matter.
Popular Maldives has alleged that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) only forwarded the case to the Prosecutor General’s Office following a court order. The company stated that if the ACC had acted in good faith, it would not have withheld the case for seven years without a resolution. The company further claimed in its statement that the sudden decision to send the case to the PG Office after seven years was a deliberate attempt to tarnish its reputation and a retaliatory measure for refusing to comply with the Commission's "unjust demands."
Furthermore, the company stated that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lacks the legal authority to order the termination of civil agreements entered into by the state with various parties. In a statement released on May 10, 2026, Popular Maldives asserted that reports claiming an order has been issued to terminate the agreement are intended to influence the ongoing case. The company further noted that such actions are inappropriate for an official body acting within the bounds of the law.
