The Information Commissioner's Office (iCOM) stated today that while the "Mahoali" portal is a vital right in building a state of integrity free from corruption, some institutions still do not pay enough attention to it.

In the statement that was released to mark the International Day for Universal Access to Information, Information Commissioner Abdul Azeez Jamaal Abu Bakur said agencies do not pay enough attention to the right due to the difficulties they are facing.

And so, he said they are looking to foreign assistance in order to conduct their efforts.

"We would like to highlight our cooperative efforts with the United Nations Development Programme in making arrangements for a system that can aid us in finding solutions for such difficulties," the statement reads.

Azeez said institutions will not be harmed no matter the type of information they share when the public requests it for whatever reason.

Instead, he said the institution will be praised and will see an increase in popularity.

"The Information Commissioner's Office hopes for a day all institutions believe in this," according to the statement.

Azeez went on to say that with a portal that easily allows for the requesting of information, the number of requests for clarifying state matters has been increasing year after year.

Requesting information from iCOM is not an achievement and it would be easier if the information was shared proactively by the agencies themselves, with iCOM requesting them to pay attention to this matter.

745 requests have been sent this year as of now, with 260 being completed.

The office has a low employee count, with the office receiving four requests on average daily.

While stating an increase of requests is not an achievement, iCOM's statement reads that growth in the sector equates to taking the initiative on the part of state agencies in sharing information and to decrease the number of requests toward the agencies for information.

"This will make it quite easy for the public and state agencies. And so, we respectfully appeal to all state agencies to pay attention to this point."

The statement goes on to read that iCOM has been a part of the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) since 2022 and that countries from around the world have been praising Maldives' achievement in the Right to Information sector.

The Right to Information is not only a law in the Constitution, it is meant to shape the future of Maldivian democracy, and is a necessary right to build a peaceful state and society, said Azeez.

"If transparency and integrity is established in Maldivian society due to this right, we will see a state that has been saved from corruption, that is full of integrity and transparency," the statement reads.

"A citizenry who respects and trusts each other. A peaceful, happy society where friendliness and unity have spread throughout. A blessed nation that respects one another."