President to heads of SOEs: Corruption will not be tolerated!

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has issued a strong warning, stating immediate action will be taken against individuals implicated in allegations of corruption while holding a senior government post.

The President issued the warning in the wake of allegations that land plots were given under the ‘Binveriya’ housing scheme to people who were not on the list of recipients.

Documents leaked on social media appear to show that multiple people were given land from Hulhumale’ under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme despite not being on the list of recipients publicized during the former administration.

This includes Housing Development Corporation (HDC)’s managing director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed’s older brother Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, the deputy managing director of Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC).

The final list of recipients of the ‘Binveriya’ scheme publicized in August 2023 lists Fazeel as an applicant, but also shows he was deemed ineligible as he had already been awarded housing under a different social housing scheme.

Both Fazul and Fazeel as well as the entire board of HDC, except for chairman Ahmed Nasif, and at least four top officials in the corporation’s management, have been placed under suspension, as Police investigate the case as a criminal matter.

Passports of 20 individuals have also been withheld in connection to the case, including Fazul and Fazeel.

Sun has learned that President Muizzu sent a warning message to Whatsapp group comprising of the heads of state-owned companies.

In the message, the President wrote that action will be taken against anyone who has committed corruption or allowed room for corruption in favor of anyone and also against individuals implicated in allegations of unjustly providing an undue benefit for someone else.

As such, he stressed that corruption will be tolerated, adding that zero-tolerance will be enforced in its true meaning.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday night, Police said their investigation into allegations that lant plots were issued under ‘Binveriya’ housing scheme to people who were not on the list of recipients has uncovered that individuals applied for ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme were also issued confirmation of receipt of land.

The Police further said no accusations are targeted towards Fazul in connection to the case as of present. 

Notably, South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, on Thursday, lodged a request to summon Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar to the Parliament to be questioned over the case.