MP Jabir accuses President Solih of receiving MMPRC funds

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih received funds through the biggest corruption scandal in the country’s history involving the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), accused Member of Parliament for Kaashidhoo constituency, Abdulla Jabir.

MP Jabir addressed a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, former President Mohamed Nasheed, expressing that he does not believe the officers and Prosecutor General who previously looked into the case as well, re-launching investigations into the case will make much of a difference or bring justice to those seeking it.

Further, Jabir accused incumbent President Solih of receiving MMPRC funds during his time as then-opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Parliamentary Group Leader. Citing media outlets, Jabir said that it is clear Solih spent hefty amounts during his time as MDP’s PG leader.

These allegations seem clear in light of the Prosecutor General Aishath Bisham’s testimony at the Parliament Committee upon being summoned.

Bisham revealed during a committee meeting in October that a number of senior government officials and parliamentarians are being investigated in the MMPRC case of graft.

Further details have since been revealed by the Presidential inquiry commission on Corruption and State Recovery, identities were however, not disclosed.

44 members from the 18th parliament, 16 members from the 19th parliament, five heads of independent institutions, seven officials from the incumbent administration, 23 officials from the previous administration, six judges and seven security service officers are to have received funds from the MMPRC graft.

MMPRC’s graft case saw the misappropriation of MVR 1.4 billion (US$90 million) through state coffers into private accounts involving senior government officials.

In October, Maldives Police Service (MPS) launched a probe into the involvement of police officers in the embezzlement case as well.