Parliament Committee Calls for Investigation into Settlements under Former President Solih

The Maldives Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has called for an investigation to determine whether former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih exerted undue influence on settlements made during his administration.  

The issue was raised by Mohamed Mamdhooh, ruling party MP for Funadhoo, and supported by Abdulla Shareef, MP for Kelaa. According to Mamdhooh, a settlement committee convened under the former administration had awarded 36 islands, six lagoons, and MVR 2 billion in settlements to various parties.  

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Mamdhooh argued that the investigation should include former President Solih, former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail, former State Minister at the President’s Office Ali Shiyam, and all members of the settlement committee.  

Ahmed Azaan, ruling party MP for Hithadhoo, described the settlements as “unprecedented” in the country’s history. “There are islands given to a family member of Fayyaz Ismail to build resorts. Previously, settlements were decided after a court proceeding,” he said.  

However, Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, an opposition Maldivian Democratic Party member sitting on the Public Accounts Committee, criticised the move, calling it politically motivated. “If you bring specific names to this committee and demand investigations, it becomes political. There are existing mechanisms within the government to address such issues,” he said.  

The settlement committee, which had been active during the former administration, has since been dissolved.