National Security Committee to gather information on $800m oil business

The National Security Committee has decided to request for information from the Auditor General and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), on the $800 million illegal oil business allegedly conducted by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and his brother Abdullah Yameen.

The National Security Committee decided today to resume its investigation into the illegal oil trade activities by Mocom Trading Singapore, established when Yameen acted as the Chairman of State Trading Organisation (STO). The company is accused of having had illegal oil trade ties with Burma.

The request to obtain information from the Auditor General and ACC was made by Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party’s (DRP) Alifushi MP Mohamed Nashiz, and supported by Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) Madaveli MP Mohamed Nazim.

The issue was investigated by the National Security Committee during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration. The Committee was then chaired by Thoddoo MP Ali Waheed, who requested 12 institutions to provide documents related to this matter. The institutions included President’s Office, Presidential Commission established by former President Mohamed Nasheed, Foreign Ministry, Economic Ministry, Attorney General’s Office, STO and Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).

Yameen was also summoned earlier to the Committee for questioning. Yameen had said that he was not informed of the activities of Mocom Trading, and that he was ‘not required’ to be informed of those activities.

The $800 million issue is being investigated by the parliament following a declaration submitted by former Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Mustafa.