Numerous complaints involving Malé Taxi Line submitted to ACC!

Maz Ahmed Saleem, a member of the MDP National Congress, has submitted a formal letter to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) requesting an investigation into numerous irregularities identified in connection with the Malé Taxi Line.

In a letter addressed to the President of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Al-Ustadh Adam Shamil, Maaz Saleem stated that the government has spent MVR 80 million from the state budget to import 150 electric vehicles (EVs) through MTCC, purportedly to resolve public transportation issues in the Greater Malé Area. He noted that this reflects an average cost of over half a million Rufiyaa per car, despite the fact that no customs duties were paid on any of these vehicles imported by MTCC for taxi services. Furthermore, he highlighted that local car importers have expressed concerns, noting that these prices are significantly higher than current global market rates.

The letter stated that although more than 400 employees have been hired as drivers, the public receives no services from these vehicles equivalent to the millions of rufiyaa being spent from the state budget. Furthermore, the letter alleged that the Malé Taxi Line project is not only a violation of regulations but also involves significant corruption when considering the Public Finance Act and established procurement procedures.

However, it has been alleged that some of the vehicles imported by MTCC for taxi services do not comply with transport regulations. Furthermore, accusations have surfaced suggesting that senior company officials abused their positions and influence to facilitate the procurement of these electric cars at such inflated prices.

Furthermore, the letter noted growing public concern over the fact that high-cost vehicles procured by the government remain idle. It also highlighted observations from the public that some of these vehicles are being utilized for the personal travel of political appointees and their family members.

The City Council stated that the contract to develop an application for car navigation within Malé was awarded to Fixed Maldives for MVR 13 million through a secretive process, bypassing open bidding procedures. Furthermore, the Council noted that the company lacks any prior experience in developing such applications. It was also highlighted that no invitations for proposals were extended to any other local firms or individuals possessing the expertise and capability to develop such software.

The letter noted that "Fixed Maldives" is a sole proprietorship registered under Ibrahim Abdullah of Daisymaage, Hdh. Nolhivaranfaru. It further stated that, according to available information, Ibrahim Abdullah and MTCC’s Assistant General Manager, Abdulla Farish, are family members registered to the same permanent address.

The letter noted that following the public launch of the application, local software developers had raised concerns, describing it as a substandard and rudimentary platform. Amidst these criticisms, the application suffered a cyberattack and was hacked, resulting in the leak of internal system data and the personal information of a large number of users. Furthermore, the letter highlighted that the hacker had leaked sensitive data including internal wallet information, driver names, fleet details, and customer trip histories. Additionally, phone numbers and screenshots of messages sent to the "lost and found" section of the application were also made public.

The request calls for an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the import of 150 cars, valued at 80 million Rufiyaa, under the "Malé Taxi" brand. Furthermore, it seeks an inquiry into why a significant number of these vehicles are currently abandoned in an open vacant lot in Hulhumalé Phase 2 instead of being utilized for taxi services as intended.

Furthermore, a request has been made to investigate allegations of corruption involving the use of certain vehicles for the personal benefit of government political appointees and their families, as well as the suspected corruption underlying the entire project.