Malé Council Seeks Fast-Track Probe Into MVR 11m Contract
5 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | ބުދަ 10:52The Malé City Council has passed a resolution requesting the Prosecutor General's Office to initiate an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation into allegations that 11 million Rufiyaa was paid to a company linked to an associate of President Muizzu during his tenure as Mayor. The matter has been referred to the council's Audit Committee for further review following allegations that the funds were released before the contracted work was completed.
A photograph of Muizzu during his tenure as the Mayor of Malé. | Male city council
Malé City Council has passed a resolution to request the Prosecutor General's Office to order the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to conduct an expedited investigation into allegations involving President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The case concerns the alleged awarding of over MVR 11 million to a company linked to a close associate during the President's tenure as the Mayor of Malé City.
The council decided to carry out the administrative work required to investigate this matter following a debate on a formal complaint submitted regarding the issue.
The proposal was submitted to the council by Fathimath Zahiyya (Zaya), the council member representing the Hulhumalé North constituency.
In the case submitted by Zaya, it is alleged that during Dr. Muizzu’s tenure as Mayor, the contract for digitizing Malé City Council records was awarded to a company named Aquatize Private Limited. Zaya noted that this company is owned by Mohamed Asbah Ali Naseer, the son of Ali Naseer Qasim, who was serving as the Associate Legal Counsel for the Male’ City Council at the time.
Presenting the case, Zaya stated that at the time the funds were released, the Malé City Council was under the full control of Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. She further noted that the disbursement of a significant sum of money to the company before the contracted work was completed raises serious questions. She also alleged that this action constitutes a suspected act of abuse of official authority, as defined under the Penal Code of the Maldives.
Furthermore, Zaya highlighted that following Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's assumption of the presidency, the company's head, Mohamed Asbah Ali Naseer, was appointed as the Deputy Managing Director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
Zaya further stated that following his father Ali Naseer Qasim’s departure from the council, he was appointed as the President’s member on the Judicial Service Commission. She asserted that these facts prove over 11 million Rufiyaa in taxpayer money was awarded to an individual closely connected to Dr. Muizzu.
The Council has taken into consideration Zaya's proposal requesting the Prosecutor General to issue an order to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to conduct an expedited investigation into the matter. The Council decided to refer the case to its Audit Committee for further review. Furthermore, it was resolved to proceed based on the findings and recommendations of the committee upon the conclusion of its inquiry.
