Push to extract money from 2,343 people, including opposition

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Ahmed Munawwar has revealed that 138 cases noted in 314 audit reports released by the Auditor General have been investigated, and the names of 2,343 individuals sent to relevant authorities for penalties.

Speaking during Television Maldives’ Rajje Miadhu show last Sunday night, Munawwar said the current administration was the first to follow up on issues noted in audit reports.

“God willing, through the work of PG [Prosecutor General’s Office] and AG [Attorney General’s Office], we will be able to send this to trial,” said Munawwar.

He said the 2,343 individuals included opposition politicians.

“The cases of these individuals have been looked into through independent reports of the Auditor General. There exist such cases of embezzlement, such cases of corruption,” said Munawwar.

He said the State was confident of extracting MVR 3.6 billion from those cases alone.

Munawwar said some oppositions have already paid the money, showing their acceptance of the fact that they owe the money to the State.

Munawwar said the aim of the current administration was to ensure that all the money owed is returned to the State, leaving not even a cent.

“This is the money of the people. They have committed treason. This is money taken from the government, the State,” said Munawwar.

He said that MR 1.6 billion in money owing has been paid to the State since Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) was formed, saying some businessmen owed the State up to MVR 1 billion, and were making up different excuses to delay payment.

“The government will not leave such cases unattended. We are ensuring the money is returned to the State through trial after investigating all this. This is the right of the people.

This is money imperative to bringing development to the people,” said Munawwar.