Yameen Challenges Administration to Form Independent Commission on MMPRC Corruption

Former President Abdulla Yameen has called on the current administration to establish an independent presidential commission to investigate the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption case.

At a People’s National Front (PNF) meeting held last night, Yameen expressed concerns regarding President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s recent statements at the People’s National Congress (PNC) hub opening ceremony on 7th July. President Muizzu had vowed to recover the money lost in the MMPRC corruption scandal and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

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Yameen argued that investigative agencies cannot conduct a thorough investigation while senior officials in the current government are implicated in the case.

Yameen contended that with the current administration’s supermajority in Parliament, neither the police nor the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) can properly investigate the MMPRC corruption case.

He proposed that the commission should include the Attorney General and the Prosecutor General, along with independent members not affiliated with the government or ruling parties. He emphasised that only such an independent investigation would gain public acceptance.

He also highlighted a significant obstacle in investigating the MMPRC corruption: former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, the main suspect, is currently abroad after being released by the previous administration under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Yameen accused Adeeb of evading a return to the Maldives to avoid the investigation.

The MMPRC corruption case, which surfaced during Yameen’s administration, has not been fully investigated by any subsequent government.