New members of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have said that the main goal of the investigation into the MMPRC scandal will be to recover the money lost to the state.
Speaking at the first press conference held after assuming office, members of the Commission said that the ACC will investigate cases other than those cases closed by the dissolved Asset Recovery Commission. A special team of 12 investigators has been formed for this purpose.
The Asset Recovery Commission was established to take action against those involved in the loss of state funds. The commission was dissolved after two years as conclusive investigative results were not reached.
It is a presidential pledge of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to investigate the MMPRC scandal and bring justice to those accused.
However, criticism has increased over the lack of progress in the investigations.
Vice President of the Commission Abdul Salaam said that the commission had held a meeting with the authorities involved in the joint investigation into the MMPRC corruption scandal. Discussions with the Asset Recovery Commission was also carried out regarding the paperwork, evidence and digital evidence for the case, he said.
Plans are underway to review the MoU, which was previously followed in the joint investigation. Abdul Salaam said that the research needs to be conducted to speed up the pace of cases.
"One of the areas we will focus on the MMPRC case is the amount of money that the state had received, which is a public concern. Hence money recovery is one of the top priorities," he said.
The number of cases received by ACC through the Asset Recovery Commission apart from the MMPRC case is yet to be ascertained.
Abdul Salaam said that all necessary parties will be questioned as investigation into the MMPRC corruption scandal progresses.
ACC has decided to take into account the report compiled by the People's Majlis when the MMPRC investigation is launched.
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