MP Ali Hussain calls for a criminal law against holding illicit wealth

Kendhoo constituency MP Ali Hussain has called for a criminal law against holding wealth and assets acquired through graft.

The lawmaker said this in a tweet on Saturday morning, which translates to 'the only way to reacquire the funds lost to the state because of the graft practiced by those in political postitions is to criminalize holding wealth acquired through graft'.

The opposition Jumhooree Party aligned lawmaker's sentiments come at a time when accusations of embezzlement and corruption against incumbent President Abdulla Yameen have hastened, owing to his loss at the ballot box on September 23rd. Yameen's supporters claim vote rigging, which state institutions deny and the opposition has ridiculed.

Some of the accusations agianst the Yameen administration include the embezzlement of several million dollars from the state-run Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporations, for some of which former vice president Ahmed Adeeb is serving a decades-long jail sentence but claims to have been framed. Yameen has admitted to recieving 'bags of cash' at his home, but said he was under the impression at the time that they were gifts from businesses that support him.

Several businesses and prominent figures are said to have benefited from these funds and other projects from which the administration has been accused of embezzling. Civil society organisations, democratic activists, and supporters of the Joint Opposition have called on the elected president, who will take his oath of office in November, to hold the administration accountable.