The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has penalized two of its officers for refusing to fix an air-conditioning system at Chief of Defence Force, Major General Ahmed Shiyam’s residence.

RaajjeMV understands that three officers were ordered to fix the air-conditioning system in his room at Mialani in Galolhu of the capital city, but that two of the officers had refused to so, resulting in action being taken against them.

The two officers refused to do the work, noting that “it paves way for corruption”. They noted that the Defence Chief’s residence has no connection to the state and emphasized that the order was “unlawful”.

RaajjeMV understands that senior officials of the military had advised the two officers, telling them that the order “is not unlawful”.

The law on prevention and prohibition of corruption prohibits the use of state resources for personal gain.

The order to fix the air-conditioning at General Shiyam’s home was given in 2016, and there have been reports that senior officers within the military have been working to nullify the decision to penalize them.