President: No update but probe ordered into employees being paid without working

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Monday, said he has received no updates regarding the allegations that Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) employs dozens of individuals who do not do any actual work.

An 85-person list, allegedly employed by MACL, who do not report to work or do any actual work, but collect large salaries, was leaked over social media earlier this month. The list drew widespread criticism against the government.

President Muizzu was questioned about this as he met journalists for his weekly press briefing last week. He responded by stating no such lists has been brought to his attention.

A journalist followed up on the issue during Monday’s press conference, to which the President responded by stating instructed relevant authorities to investigate the matter. However, he added that, "there is no update on that yet," without providing further details.

In his initial response last week, the President emphasized that the government was working on reforming state-owned enterprises.

“Not just MACL. The Finance Ministry has now instructed the PCB to reduce employees in all SOEs in general,” he said.

President Muizzu said that the government has now instructed all SOEs to implement reforms based on performance, attentiveness to work, attendance, and other such factors.

He was referring to the orders sent by the Finance Ministry on Friday, instructing PCB to ensure SOEs reduce employees by 33 percent.

“I believe this will involve a lot of reforms, a lot of good changes,” he said.

He added that all SOEs in general have been told to implement reforms and reduce employees.

The list of 85 people, purportedly of political appointees employed by MACL who President Muizzu intends to fire, was leaked via anonymous X account ‘Hassan Kurusee’ on April 10. It includes influential figures, including former parliamentarians.

The MACL has not made any official comment regarding the list.

However, senior MACL employees, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirm some of the people on the list are on the company’s payroll.