Fenaka Corporation, state utilities corporation, has announced that they had recruited 2,300 members to the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM). The tweet posted by the Corporation claiming as such, comes at a time when PPM has been accused of abusing state resources, assets and civil employees for political gain.

The initiative to bring in more members to the Party was spearheaded by First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim and was held on Saturday. Many employees of Fenaka had taken an active role in Saturday’s events. The tweet posted on the Corporation’s official twitter account, states that 2,300 members were recruited to the Party and the membership forms had been handed over to PPM Secretariat.

Fenaka is a Corporation fully owned by the state. It was first opened by former President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, after dissolving the utilities corporations formed under President Mohamed Nasheed. The Corporation had not revealed the details of the recruitment process, under which 2,300 members had signed up for PPM. Whether the signatories were employees of the Corporation or members gained by recruitment.

Corruption is any and all forms of transactions by the use of powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain.

Opposition members have expressed outrage over the alleged abuse of state resources and employees for political gain. Maldivian United Opposition (MUO) Deputy Leader and Male’ City Council Deputy Mayor Shifa Mohamed tweeted that MWSC employees were given the sole option of joining the Party or risk losing their jobs. She accused the Government of coercion, adding that this was the highest form of 'slavery' in the nation’s history.

PPM is yet to offer a statement on the issue.

Ruling PPM has begun an intensive program to amass 150,000 members. Anonymous sources have stated that recruiters have been promised Bangkok trips and cash bonuses if they reach the target. Ministers and employees were active in yesterday’s recruitment drive. The event was held in Thaajudseen School, at a time when opposition parties have been denied access to usage of public areas for their use. Recruiters were seen in President Yameen 2018 campaign t-shirts.

The total number of recruits from yesterday’s event was not made public.