State Trading Organisation (STO), on Wednesday, confirmed that suspended Deputy Managing Director of Maldive Gas Pvt Ltd Ali Ikram had resigned from his position.
STO spokesperson Abdulla Mohamed stated that Ikram had cited personal reasons for the resignation.
Ikram was suspended in connection to allegations of sexually harassing a female employee that lodged her case, along with messaging history as proof.
The female employee disclosed that Ikram commented on her appearance and clothing while at the workplace as well as sending explicit images and messages which attempted to acquire personal information. She stated that these actions interfered with her work.
Furthermore, the employee stated that the harassment continued even after she requested him to consider his position as the acting manager of the company and stop the behavior.
Ikram has refuted the allegations raised against him and denies sending any inappropriate messages.
The harassment case is currently being investigated by the Maldives Police Service, STO and the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services.
Amid the ongoing harassment case, local media outlet Mihaaru reported that the Deputy Managing Director was also accused in an MVR 16 million during the procurement of 4,128 oxygen cylinders to supply a COVID-19 treatment facility.
The case is currently being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Parliamentary Committee on State Owned Enterprises. Ikram is accused of violating company procurement policy and contracting a Singapore-based company with which he had ties. Reportedly the procured equipment was not in usable condition.
Ikram has also denied the allegations of corruption, asserting that he was wrongfully framed in STO's audit in an attempt to discredit him and the government.
Following the suspension of Managing Director of Maldive Gas Shazail Shiyam in October 2019 over corruption allegations, Ali Ikram has served as the company's acting manager.
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