After facing criticism for refusing to disclose information, the government has publicized receipts which show that MVR 19 million raised during a telethon organized by the state broadcaster Public Service Media (PSM) was handed over to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Adhadhu submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request to obtain documents related to the transaction. On October 17, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICOM) ordered the Foreign Ministry to provide the information within five days.
However, the government did not comply with the order and refused to provide the information.
On Sunday night, Adhadhu reported on the Foreign Ministry's refusal to comply with the ICOM order. Hours after the news was reported, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement along with the documents of the transaction.
The ministry publicized a document which shows the central bank Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) sent the money and a document from the US bank which received the money.
According to the statement, the government is in discussions with the UNRWA to determine the programs on which the money will be spent.
However, the statement did not mention why the government refused to provide information under the RTI request and why the government refused to comply with the ICOM order.
The government decided to hold such a telethon to help the Palestinian people in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Government agencies, ministries, schools and private individuals also donated money to the fund opened during the Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine telethon. They include the first couple and many ministers.
