Ex-DMD Bassam cleared in MMPRC sexual harassment case

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has cleared its former Deputy Managing Director Mohamed Bassam Adam of the allegation he sexually harassed a female employee during a work trip, following an internal investigation into the case.

The alleged incident took place during the ITB Berlin travel trade fair held in Germany in March.

After reports of the incident went viral on social media platforms, the MMPRC confirmed on April 1 that it was investigating such an incident. Though unverified social media reports named Bassam as the culprit and claimed he had been suspended in response, MMPRC did not confirm who the complaint was filed against.

On Tuesday, Bassam received a letter signed by the corporation’s current Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree, informing him of the sexual harassment committee’s ruling.

The letter reads that in April, the corporation’s disciplinary committee was alerted to an incident recorded in the back-to-office report submitted following the fair, which said that a member of the corporation’s top management made inappropriate comments at a female employee who was part of the corporation’s contingent that travelled to Berlin.

The committee asked the sexual harassment committee to investigate the case.

Following its investigation, the committee found no evidence to back the claim, reads the letter.

Bassam told Sun that he was never suspend in response to the case, but that he had voluntarily stepped aside after the committee began its investigation. He said that he returned to work after the corporation’s then-MD Fathimath Thaufeeq asked him to do so.

Bassam had served as Acting MD following Fathimath’s dismissal in mid-April.

He said that Shiuree, who replaced Fathimath in June, had taken the initiative to investigate the complaint after he assumed his post. He said that he decided to resign from MMPRC after he received the letter, clearing his name.

On Tuesday, a top official from MMPRC told Sun that Bassam’s post was among several positions that were dissolved as part of cost cutting measures.