Parliament holds responsibility for reformative action: MP Saleem

The power to reform Maldives lies in the hands of Parliament, and without the courage of its members, true reform cannot be achieved, Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem (Red Wave) said yesterday.

Chairing the Public Accounts Committee, MP Saleem made these remarks in response to concerns raised by members over the lack of concrete action taken against individuals involved in corruption over the past 15 years.

"The people have given the mandate to reform this country to the members of Parliament. That responsibility cannot be avoided," MP Saleem said.

"Members were elected to resolve these issues. Because 5,000 people cannot come here themselves. That’s why they sent us here."

He said that Parliament has broad powers under the Constitution, including the ability to make and amend laws, remove the President and judges, and ensure accountability.

"Responsibility for the country’s lack of reform ultimately falls on MPs," he said.

“There is nothing that Parliament cannot do according to the law,” Saleem said.

“So in reality, all the blame falls on MPs. The representatives sent by the people are the only ones who have the power to reform this country. What’s lacking is courage.”

At the committee meeting, opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo) said that corruption has been widespread under all successive governments, yet no court has ever reached a final verdict in any of the major cases.

“The system is shaped for corruption,” MP Ghafoor said.

“Despite all the audit reports, Anti-Corruption Commission findings, and investigative documents, none of these lead to successful prosecution in court,” he added.

He also questioned the effectiveness of the Auditor General’s Office, which costs MVR 70-80 million annually to operate, yet has not recovered state losses through its reports.

Ghafoor said this showed that the system was "designed" to enable corruption to continue unchecked.