Fenaka staff outnumber the Maldives' military personnel: Ibrahim Rasheed
3 ޖުލައި 2026 | ހުކުރު 09:54Ex-MP Rasheed stated that Fenaka Corporation’s workforce has surged past 8,000 employees, surpassing the total size of the entire Maldivian military. He criticized the government for depleting state funds through the creation of redundant positions and excessive spending, asserting that the public is facing hardships due to the administration's failure to manage the economy effectively.
Fenaka Corporation Limited has recruited a significant number of employees across its regional branches in a move timed by the government to coincide with the elections. | Copporate Maldives
Former Member of Parliament for the Central Maafannu constituency, Ibrahim Rasheed, has stated that Fenaka Corporation Limited employs more staff than the Maldives National Defence Force.
Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program, Rasheed stated that Fenaka Corporation initially employed 3,000 people during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration. He noted that as the workforce grew, concerns were raised even back then. He further explained that relevant authorities were held accountable and instructed to reduce staff numbers, with the Parliament's Economic Committee actively overseeing the matter at the time.
While President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration continues to blame the previous government for all current failings, he noted that the number of employees at Fenaka Corporation has surged from 3,000 to over 8,000 under the current leadership.
Furthermore, Rasheed noted that the number of employees working at Fenaka to operate powerhouses exceeds the active personnel within the military. He expressed that this remains a matter of significant concern.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) is bound by specific legal mandates and responsibilities. The military structure includes firefighters, as well as the Coast Guard, which maintains units across the atolls and islands. It also comprises reserve forces, air wing personnel, and security units stationed at various airports and harbors. When you consolidate all these branches—including those guarding the armories and every other military installation across the country—how many personnel do you think there are? It does not even reach 5,000. In contrast, Fenaka Corporation alone employs 8,000 people. This is an organization tasked simply with operating powerhouses.Ibrahim Rasheed, the former Member of Parliament for the Central Maafannu constituency.
Rasheed stated that the country's financial reserves are being depleted due to the current administration's wasteful spending. He highlighted the mass hiring of employees at Fenaka Corporation despite a lack of actual work as a clear example of this mismanagement.
Rasheed stated that the difficulties faced by the public are not caused by the previous administration, but rather by the current government's inability to manage and govern effectively.
