Failure to recover lost state assets and funds is not due to a lack of legislation, but rather a lack of sincere commitment from those in power: Shamheed
13 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 07:38Shamheed has expressed concern over the lack of tangible results from anti-corruption institutions despite significant state expenditure. He emphasized that participation in international treaties remains futile without genuine sincerity in addressing major corruption cases. Furthermore, he criticized the prevailing double standard in the country, noting that political influence often dictates the outcome of investigations, effectively shielding high-profile individuals from accountability.
Member of Parliament for South Hulhumale' constituency, Dr. Ahmed Shamheed, addresses Monday's session of the People's Majlis. | RaajjeMV
Dr. Ahmed Shamheed, the Member of Parliament for the South Hulhumale' constituency, has stated that the failure to resolve the major issues facing the Maldives and the inability to recover lost state assets and funds is not due to a lack of necessary legislation, but rather a lack of sincere individuals to carry out the work.
During Monday's parliamentary debate regarding the Maldives' accession to and implementation of the "Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention" on Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), MP Shamheed stated that despite the establishment of various institutions and significant expenditure aimed at curbing corruption, tangible results have yet to be achieved.
Highlighting that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is a constitutionally mandated body, MP Shamheed noted that the state budget has allocated over one billion rufiyaa to the institution to date. He further pointed out that despite an annual expenditure of 58 million rufiyaa on the commission, not a single high-ranking state official has been convicted or sentenced for corruption.
If that is the case, there are only two possibilities: either corruption does not exist in the Maldives, or the institution has failed. We must determine which of these two conclusions is the reality.Dr. Ahmed Shamheed
Furthermore, MP Shamheed stated that while it is remarkably easy to convict ordinary individuals in low-level positions, high-profile cases often see verdicts shift due to political influence. He noted that even cases decided by superior courts are reviewed and overturned following changes in administration, allowing such individuals to evade justice. He remarked that the country currently operates under a system of "one rule for the powerful and another for the common citizen."
MP Shamheed stated that participation in such international treaties yields no real benefit to the public without genuine sincerity. He emphasized that these agreements must not serve merely as a pretext for state-funded international travel.
