Corruption scandal at MPL prompts investigation

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has launched an investigation following the discovery of corrupt transactions worth over MVR eight million, during Covid-19 lockdown.

Revealing this, MPL in a statement released on Thursday said that corruption was noticed in some transactions that took place during lockdown, adding that an internal audit report has been compiled over the matter.

Noting that the report highlights areas for further inquiry, MPL said that an investigation has been launched.

The company further noted that employees suspected to be involved in the corruption have been suspended and removed from the workplace.

Further, cases have been been lodged at the police, Auditor General’s Office as well as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Noting that the company takes corruption “very seriously,” MPL assured that action will be taken against any employee found to be complicit.

RaajjeMV understands that a total of four employees were suspended over the matter, but that one individual’s suspension was lifted after a further inquiry proved that the individual was not involved in the unlawful practice.

According to RaajjeMV’s source, those involved are all junior level operational staff.

While MPL’s statement did not disclose the extent of the corruption, its Chairman Dato Mohamad Zaki via Twitter revealed that suspects had “robbed more than MVR eight million from the company”.