The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICOM) is seeking details of the transactions between the Ministry of Tourism and the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).

Information Commissioner, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa gave the directive during an investigative meeting held on Tuesday, over a complaint filed by the Maldives Trade Union (MTU); officials of the tourism ministry were not present at the hearing.

The complaint filed by MTU seeks to disclose details of any lease agreements between the ministry and MMPRC, which was used to funnel millions of dollars stolen from the state during the previous administration.

However, the tourism ministry has refused to do so claiming “ongoing investigation.”

MTU’s concerns over the matter was shared during Tuesday’s hearing, including that an ongoing investigation is not a reason to not disclose these details.

Agreeing with this, the information commissioner instructed the tourism ministry to provide details of any interactions with MMPRC.

In a tweet posted after, Fiyaz criticized the ministry for failing to send a representative to the hearing.

He “strongly” condemned the ministry’s decision, and assured that his office will not hesitate to use all powers to it to ensure rights guaranteed under Article 29 of the Maldives constitution; Article 29 states that “everyone has the freedom to acquire and impart acquiring and imparting knowledge, information and learning.”

Following the information commissioner’s decision, the tourism ministry is required to provide these details within 45 days. If it fails to do so, MTU can appeal the matter at the High Court.