Local Government Authority (LGA) has placed HA. Hoarafushi Council President Mohamed Waheed on suspension without pay for three months on the grounds that the council has acted against the Decentralization Act, Local Council regulations and Public Finance regulations. 

LGA looked into eight separate complaints submitted against the Hoarafushi Council. LGA's report states that action in these cases was taken against the Council President as he is the most senior official who bears the legal responsibility of ensuring that the council's affairs are conducted in line with laws and regulations. 

While Council President Waheed was placed on suspension without pay, LGA decided to advise the remaining councilors in line with the severity of the complaint. 

This includes Vice President of the Council Ahmed Imdhah and Council members Ibrahim Shakir, Mariyam Vakeela, Aminath Visama, Aminath Nasiha and Ahmed Rauf. 

All these councilors, as well as Council President Waheed, are members of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). 

Complaints against Hoarafushi Council that were investigated:

1. Spending against the Public Finance regulation to hold the Thila Uthuru Women's Volleyball Tournament 2025

2. Allocating adjacent empty plots to land owners against the Land Use Plan

3. Purchase of date palms for the harbour area in 2023 against the Public Finance regulation

4. Spending on this year's Adha Eid festivities, stage lights and stage against the Public Finance regulation

5. A complaint alleging that procurement staff of the council sit on the bid committee

6. Failure to disclose information for requests submitted under the Right to Information Act

7. Issuance against the Public Finance regulation of split payments of a significant sum for Adha Eid lighting and decoration, compounded by the failure to receive the lights despite payment

8. Allocation of 5,000sqft land to Hawks

LGA said that an inquiry was conducted into these complaints. 

The inquiry found that responsibilities and duties under the Decentralization Act were not fulfilled, and that councilors have violated ethical standards. Further, as it has been learned that a council meeting reached the decision to not act upon LGA's directive, LGA believes that this will cause damage to the council and to decentralization system itself. 

LGA further decided to forward to relevant authorities for action if there is negligence on the part of the Council's Secretary General and other administrative staff in these eight cases.