The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has said the corruption investigation over the previous administration's compensation for Swift Engineering was ordered by a certain politician.
Fayyaz was summoned to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) at 9:30 am on Monday. MDP members gathered in front of the ACC office to protest against the politicized investigation.
"They have taken a baseless point and couldn't even gather the documents needed for the investigation. It was clear that they were forced to do this investigation on the orders of a certain person. Their words and actions show how ashamed they were," Fayyaz told Adhadhu.
He added that the objective is to intimidate MDP and that the current ruling party leaders were in hiding during the previous MDP administration, which forced MDP to take up the role of the opposition as well.
"They think the same thing will happen to us. Even if we [MDP leaders] are in a jail cell, you [MDP members] will be there to change the government. I call on everyone to join the November 17 rally in Male," Fayyaz said.
The ACC has accused the former Economic Minister of abusing his official position in issuing the compensation to Swift Engineering, a company owned by a lawmaker from the current ruling party.
During the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen, individuals and businesses were targeted for political reasons. The MDP administration came in 2018 to help find justice and formed the Dispute Resolution Committee in 2019.
Swift Engineering owner and ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MP Saudhulla Hilmy has stated that the compensation arrangement had benefited the state because the company did not claim losses for two projects.
"The documents in the state agencies will show that the [Yameen] government cancelled the agreements signed with Swift Engineering without any legal basis," he stated.
The MDP has called on the government to stop using independent institutions for political reasons. The party also expressed concerns over the targeting of its members to stop political activism.
