Measures have not been taken against ex-presidents that failed to submit financial records: Muaz
Constitution states that 'every year, the President shall submit to the Auditor General a statement of all property and monies owned by him, business interests and all assets and liabilities'
President Abdulla Yameen
While the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has urged the parliament to assess President Abdulla Yameen’s failure to submit financial records, his spokesperson claims that the president has followed everything recommended by the auditor general.
In a tweet sent out in Dhivehi on Wednesday, Ibrahim Muaz Ali said that the auditor general had sent a letter to the President’s Office “two to three days ago”, giving him until the end of the term to submit his financial statements.
He added that “there are former presidents that have failed to submit financial statements,” adding that measures have not been taken against them.
“Everything related to the president’s financial statements have been completed as recommended by the auditor general,” reads Muaz’s tweet.
Article 120 of the Constitution states that 'every year, the President shall submit to the Auditor General a statement of all property and monies owned by him, business interests and all assets and liabilities'.
ACC’s appeal comes after probing a case submitted to them, stating that the president is using his influence within the state to withhold his financial records.
While the Auditor General's office has been subject to criticism over the matter, ACC said that there is no law that allows them to take action over the matter.
Hence, it asked the parliament’s public finance committee to assess the matter.
Back in July, Muaz refused to reveal the last time he had done so, saying that reports of the president not submitting annual financial statements 'are a fabrication' and that the statements have been submitted and accepted by the Auditor General.
He also alleged that the Auditor General 'had recently shared changes on how to submit the financial record with the President', adding that it will be submitted accordingly 'soon'.
President Yameen has faced multiple corruption allegations since assuming office in 2013, and his former vice president and right-hand man, Ahmed Adeeb- who is currently on trial for the biggest corruption scandal in the country's history- recently accused the President of handling and counting the millions of dollars that were embezzled through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).
