Asset recovery commission's work has been slow: president's office

Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Ibrahim Hood has said that the work of one of the presidential commissions “is slow.”

Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, Hood said that the work of the Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery “is at a halt.”

While the Commission was established on November 17, the same day President Ibrahim President Solih took oath of office, it was tasked to complete the work within the span of six months.

However, Hood said that the work has been stalled as the parliament is yet to grant the Commission the authority to conduct the necessary work.

Shortly after the two commissions were formed, a presidential commissions bill was submitted to parliament seeking to make them investigative agencies.

However, the 18th parliament failed to take a vote on the bill, by the time its tenure ended in April.

The bill was resubmitted to parliament earlier this week. It was accepted and sent to a committee for further review on Wednesday.

In addition to the Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery, President Solih had formed the Commission on Murders and Enforced Disappearances on his first day. Both were established to fulfil campaign pledges to recover missing funds and find the truth behind high-profile murders and the abductions.

Also at the press conference, Hood revealed that the government whistleblower platform has been a success and that they have received over 400 complaints thus far.

Out of this, 18 cases have been deemed to be valid and forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).