Ashamed of MMPRC case, all institutions failed to act on corruption: President Yameen

President Abdullah Yameen has stated that the Government does not have the capability to watch over all the institutions.

Speaking in the ceremony held to welcome new inductees to ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), President Yameen admitted that it was deeply embarrassing and saddening that MMPRC embezzlement had occurred during this tenure. However, he said that the present Government was more than capable of enacting action over such cases.

He questioned whether previous Governments was able to enact any action over corruption.

President Yameen admitted that corruption was in the state, adding that he is giving the highest priority to recovering the amount embezzled from state coffers.

President Yameen said that abuse of power was started by previous Governments, adding that if they had tried to act on corruption then, instances like this will not occur now.

Furthermore, the President said the present Government was unable to investigate corruption of previous Governments as they were baseless rumors. He added that the Government was targeting on bringing rapid development to the nation. President Yameen said he will do everything possible to bring about this development.

He also said that corruption began years before, stating that this Government did not support corruption. However, he said it would be impossible to stop corruption.

“Show [me] where this Government had failed to take action on the rumors of corruption aimed as us. Show [me] where the Government was not working to recover the money lost. Even I do not have the capability. All work in all companies, all Ministries cannot be done by President’s leadership,” he said.

He also assured that he will not shelter his Cabinet Ministers, in the event of corruption.

MMPRC case first surfaced in 2014. Anti-Corruption Commission had investigated the case, but the report is yet to be released.