Ihusaan Defends Release of Private Chats Over Dormitory Incident

Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan has defended the decision to disclose the private chat logs of a female student who passed away while residing at the Maldives National University (MNU) hostel in Male'.

Minister Ihusaan made these remarks during Tuesday's People's Majlis sitting while responding to an inquiry from the Member for South Galolhu, Meekail Ahmed Naseem. The MP questioned the rationale behind disclosing that information during a press conference held on April 23 and sought clarification on whether senior government officials possess the legal authority to do so.

In response to the question, Minister Ihusaan stated that his responsibilities extend beyond protecting the child's privacy to maintaining public confidence in the Maldives Police Service. He explained that to uphold this trust, certain specific details regarding the incident could not be shared, as doing so would prevent a full clarification of the child’s statements, the police response, and the procedures followed by officers.

Minister Ihusaan stated that if the true details of such incidents are not disclosed, it is often characterized as a cover-up. Conversely, he noted that when full information is released, it is frequently criticized as an invasion of privacy. The Minister further highlighted that countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have established standards defining the extent to which such information can be disclosed. However, Ihusaan pointed out that no such legislation has been enacted in the Maldives to date.

Minister Ihusaan stated that he was compelled to disclose the private information of the child who passed away in the hostel incident on that day. He further noted that while such information is not released in every instance where the Maldives Police Service faces scrutiny, disclosing details in critical situations where the public must be informed is essential to maintaining the integrity and public trust in the service.

On that particular day, we were compelled to take action. We do not disclose such information regarding Maldivian citizens in every instance or whenever the police service faces scrutiny. However, in such sensitive situations, where numerous citizens are urgently calling for and awaiting service every day, I believe it is essential to act to uphold the value and maintain the public's trust in that service.

Ali Ihusaan, Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology.

Furthermore, Minister Ihusaan stated that certain political figures had acted in a manner that distorted the facts of the incident. Commending the conduct of journalists during the event, Ihusaan noted that some politicians had exploited the situation to mislead the public.

Home Minister Ihusaan had previously disclosed information regarding the incident at the hostel, releasing chat logs of conversations between the child and the Maldives Police Service's Victim Support Unit that took place during the most critical moments of the event.

In response, many have criticized both Minister Ihusaan and the government. At the time, critics argued that disclosing the private conversations of individuals in highly vulnerable situations without any boundaries would erode public trust in such emergency hotlines.

Despite the widespread criticism directed at Minister Ihusaan regarding the matter, President Muizzu has also spoken out in defense of the action.