Fittey alleges Maldives Gas MD gambled away advance payment; Abdullah calls claim a lie

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fittey) has alleged that the advance payment made by Maldives Gas for a shipment of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) went missing because the company’s managing director, Abdullah Mohamed, “gambled” with the money.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced on April 9 that it had opened an investigation into the disappearance of the advance payment. The commission has not disclosed further details of the case.

Speaking during debate on a government‑proposed amendment to the Penal Code, submitted by Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Azaan Marzooq, to criminalize gambling and operating gambling establishments with penalties of one to four years in jail, Ziyad alleged that Abdullah had engaged in gambling.

“I am saying this with an example, because in one of the cases we looked at in the same Public Accounts Committee, I heard, of course, USD 250,000. The MD in charge of the company, in the end, just played with the bet,” he said.

Ziyad also questioned whether the allegations against Abdullah would be investigated if the amendment is passed.

Responding in Parliament, Abdullah denied ever participating in gambling or betting. He said being a member of Parliament “is not an opportunity to slaughter reputation.”

The missing advance payment came to light after Deputy Speaker and Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim stated during a Public Accounts Committee meeting that Maldives Gas had lost money paid for an LPG shipment in October 2024. He did not specify the amount.

Police have also launched a money‑laundering investigation involving Maldives Gas.

Maldives Gas, a subsidiary of State Trading Organization (STO), has faced corruption allegations in the past. Investigations into suspected wrongdoing at the company began during the previous MDP administration, including a case involving the alleged theft of medical oxygen cylinders procured to strengthen the health system during the COVID‑19 pandemic.