Commissioner General of Taxation Yazeed Ahmed has refuted and expressed disappointment over recent claims that companies in the Maldives ‘fear’ the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

Speaking at an event to mark MIRA’s anniversary, Commissioner Yazeed – the chief of Maldives’ Taxation Authority – said that there have been claims made recently ‘by those that wish to further prominence’ that MIRA is a company to fear.

Yazeed said that it is disappointing that such slanderous comments have been made against the company, with it being described as a ‘company that bankurupts small enterprises’, and that it is only carrying out its duty.

In his speech at the event, Yazeed said that MIRA – established under the Taxation Authority to enforce relevant laws and administer collection – is only carrying out duties enshrined in laws approved by parliament and ratified into law.

Yazeed further called on the public to refrain from making such ‘ill-informed and baseless’ remarks, while noting how MIRA itself is a company established under laws ratified by former president Mohamed Nasheed, leader of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party.

Yazeed’s comments come at a time when the party’s presidential candidate, and longstanding parliamentarian, MP Ibrahim Solih recently criticized the government’s taxation policies and described them as detrimental to smaller businesses, while unfairly benefiting bigger ones.