Hoarafushi Council: President suspended without evidence; will not accept penalization

Hoarafushi Council, on Tuesday, strongly criticized the Local Government Authority (LGA) for suspending the Council’s president and several members, stating that the action was taken without presenting evidence to support the violations in the Authority’s report, and therefore, the Council does not accept the decision.

LGA suspended Hoarafushi Council president Mohamed Waheed without pay and allowances for three months and cautioned the remaining six councilors following a report issued by the Council which highlighted seven violations.

When questioned by Sun regarding the matter, Hoarafushi Council’s vice president Ahmed Imad said LGA had not presented any evidence which proves the violations in the Authority’s report.

As such, he said the Council does not accept LGA’s decision to suspend Waheed.

“We do not accept [the action] taken against the whole council and its staff. Especially the action against the president, its not something we, the council, should accept,” he said.

However, Imad said he is unable to provide further details at the moment as the Council is still reviewing LGA’s report.

Sun was unsuccessful in efforts to obtain a comment from Waheed regarding his suspension as he did not respond to calls.

In a statement on Monday, Waheed was suspended due to the seriousness of the violations after reviewing eight complaints lodged with the authority.  

According to LGA, the inquiry uncovered seven violations:  

• Spending on this year’s Northern Atolls’ Women’s Volleyball Tournament in violation of financial rules.  
• Purchase of date palm trees in 2023 to plant in the island’s port area, also in violation of financial regulations.  
• Addition of vacant land adjacent to allocated plots, contrary to the land use plan.  
• Expenditure on Eid al-Adha 1446 events, including stage lights and decor, in breach of financial rules.  
• Reports that procurement employees were serving on the bid committee.  
• Failure to provide information requested under the Right to Information Act.  
• Release of large sums in violation of the Finance Act by splitting funds for Eid lighting, with items not received despite payments.  

LGA said Waheed was suspended because, as the council president, he held the primary responsibility for ensuring adherence to laws and regulations, which they say he failed to uphold.

The Authority also decided to recommend disciplinary action against the Secretary General and additional administrative staff for negligence in carrying out council duties.

LGA has previously taken action against councilors, including suspension, after reviewing various complaints filed with the authority.