In corruption cases, President looks at what was done, not who did it: Speaker

Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla has said last night that when looking into cases of corruption, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu considers what was done rather that who did it.

Abdul Raheem, who is also the Chairperson of ruling People's National Congress, said that Maldives has, to date, faced trouble due to leaders looking at who committed the corruption rather than the actual act committed when taking action.

Speaking in a show on State TV, Abdul Raheem said that when taking action in corruption cases, it is irrelevant whether the act was committed by someone from the previous administration or by a person close to the incumbent leader.

"It is not who committed the act that we must consider, but rather the act that was done. We often look into cases with the person who committed the act in mind. When this is the way things are done, often long periods pass without the lost funds being recovered," Abdul Raheem said, adding that it is a high priority of the President to recover funds lost due to corruption and other issues.

"President Muizzu's target is not to see who committed the act. What was done? Was it done rightfully or not, lawfully or not, is it allowed in the Public Accounts Act, how much loss does it cause to the State, who is behind causing this loss? That is the point at which who did it even comes into the equation," he said.

Abdul Raheem said that even if the person who committed the act of corruption is known, the person who will be held accountable will be determined under due process. Whether or not charges are pressed against such a person is a decision that will be made by the Prosecutor General, he said.

'However, that stage [questioning and investigating those accused] needs to be carried out. That is what is being done today. President Muizzu has stated that he does not appoint people for them to them steal," he said.

He asserted that the government would not intervene when authorities begin investigations into an act committed by any person.

He referred to the recent case of corruption within Housing Development Corporation (HDC) that came to light, and said that in the case, then MD of HDC Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed had been appointed at ministerial rank, despite which the investigation is proceeding along due process.

"This is what I am talking about. The first thing that needs to be done is implementing the laws. That is the solution to these issues. If there are difficulties within the laws to see such issues through, then it is the Parliament's responsibility to alleviate that. We are ready to do that," he said.