MTCC cars are being used for personal purposes of senior government officials: Maaz Saleem
23 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 11:12Highlighting potential corruption in the procurement of vehicles, Maaz Saleem stated that industry importers believe the 80 million Rufiyaa spent by MTCC to import 150 cars is an exorbitant figure. He further noted that according to estimates from these companies, each vehicle could have been acquired for a maximum of $3,000.
Minister Ameen boards one of the taxis recently imported by MTCC. | MTCC
Ahmed Saleem (Maaz Saleem), a member of the MDP National Council, has alleged that cars imported by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) are being used for the personal purposes of senior government officials.
In an interview with RaajjeTV, Maaz Saleem stated that senior government officials using their influence to utilize MTCC’s taxi services—a state resource—constitutes a legally punishable offense.
Highlighting potential corruption in the procurement of the vehicles, Maaz Saleem stated that according to local car importers, the 80 million Rufiyaa spent by MTCC to import 150 cars is an exorbitant amount. He noted that these companies estimate the maximum cost per car should be approximately $3,000.
Maaz Saleem stated that since the imported cars were brought in by the state, the required customs duties and registration fees have not been paid.
Maaz Saleem noted that these vehicles do not benefit the public, pointing out that most citizens currently rely on private taxis for their transportation needs. He further stated that services from MTCC taxis are only available on rare occasions.
Maaz Saleem stated that the contract for developing the taxi service application, valued at 13 million Rufiyaa, was awarded in secret to an individual residing in the same household as Abdulla Farish, the MTCC General Manager in charge of the project. He further noted that this action constitutes a violation of the Public Finance Act.
A contract to develop a car-sharing application has been clandestinely awarded to a private firm. The project, valued at MVR 13 million, was granted to a company named Fix Maldives. This company is owned by Ibrahim Abdulla of Daisymaage, HDh. Nolhivaranfaru. The project was reportedly facilitated and managed on behalf of MTCC by its General Manager, Abdulla Farish. Notably, both individuals reside in the same household. This arrangement constitutes a direct violation of the Public Finance Act.Maaz Ahmed Saleem
Maaz Saleem stated that the application was poorly developed and of a substandard quality.
Maaz Saleem submitted a formal letter to the President of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Adam Shamil, on Sunday, alleging corruption in the procurement of cars by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC).
