MDP says ACC’s only response to corruption complaints is that cases are still under investigation

The parliamentary group of the main opposition MDP met the Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday afternoon to raise concerns over delays in corruption investigations.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fittey), the MDP Parliamentary Group’s Deputy Leader, said the purpose of the meeting was to ask about public concerns surrounding the recent elections and to understand what efforts were being made to expedite pending cases.

“They had given recommendations on major national issues at the time, so to see how it was coming along, that was one of the purposes,” he said.

Ziyad did not disclose the details of the ACC’s response.

Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), the MDP Parliamentary Group’s Secretary General, told Sun that the party has not received any new response from the ACC beyond the repeated statements that “the cases are being investigated” or that “there are issues.”

In a letter sent to ACC Chairman Adam Shamil on Saturday, the MDP said the commission had not done enough to build a corruption‑free and honest society.  

The party alleged that action is not being taken against those involved in corruption without discrimination, and expressed concern that the ACC had not strengthened state systems or administrative practices to prevent corruption.

A referendum on the council elections and the two main elections was held on Saturday. The ACC did not announce any election‑related corruption probes during the campaign period. However, shortly after the campaign ended, the commission said it was investigating cases such as the alleged misuse of state resources.

Public concerns have also been raised about concessions issued close to the elections, the laying of foundation stones for projects, and the recruitment of staff to state‑owned companies.

Corruption remains a persistent issue in the Maldives, with complaints surfacing across various ongoing projects.  

Members of the public frequently express concern that the ACC does not adequately investigate such cases.

Corruption and bribery allegations tend to increase around election periods, including claims of job offers and money distribution on the eve of voting. However, action in such cases is rarely taken.