No decision yet on action against MDP members implicated in MMPRC list: MP Hassan Latheef

Chairperson for the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party and MP for West-Henveiru constituency Hassan Latheef has stated that the party is yet to make a decision on taking action against MDP members implicated in the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption suspects list.

The Joint Parliament Committee on National Security Services and Judiciary voted to publicize a list by the Asset Recovery Commission, which names 281 parties suspected to have benefited from MMPRC corruption, including some prominent leaders within MDP.

Four members of parliament elected to the 19th People's Majlis from main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MPD) were named as suspects in the MMPRC corruption case.

Leader of the MDP parliamentary group and MP for Central-Henveiru constituency Ali Azim, MP for Mulaku constituency Ibrahim Naseer, MP for Maradhoo constituency Ibrahim Shareef and MP for Kendhikulhudhoo constituency Ahmed Easa were named in the list publicized by parliament on Wednesday.

In answering a question by Raajje MV on what action would be taken against MDP members suspected of involvement in the MMPRC grand corruption case, party Chairperson and MP Hassan Latheef stated that no decision had yet been made on the matter. Hassan Latheef noted that the list was still being reviewed by the joint parliament committee, and declined to further comment on the matter.

The list of suspects released by the People's Majlis on the MMPRC grand corruption case includes 61 former and sitting members of parliament, alongside four judges, 12 former ministers and others employed by the government in various institutions.

In detailing information about those who benefitted from MMPRC corruption while in public office, the list notes that a number of MPs from the 18th and 19th People's Majlis had acquired illegitimate wealth from the MMPRC corruption case.

The only party from the ruling coalition not implicated in the corruption scandal is Adhaalath Party (AP), with members of parliament from all other coalition contributors having been outed as MMPRC corruption beneficiaries.

While authorities have stressed that no names present on the list can be considered guilty beyond doubt in the corruption case, the list details corruption conducted by state officials five years ago under the Yaameen administration through the illicit leasing of Maldivian islands and lagoons through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).