Home Minister: President was taking action to address problems facing police

Umar Naseer, minister of Home Affairs, says problems facing the police institution had been communicated to President Abdulla Yameen on several occasions, and he was taking due action to address them.

In an interview with Sun Media, Umar Naseer acknowledged there are many issues within the police institution.

He said the problems were also communicated to Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed, and the issue of undue influence imposed by specific people had been discussed several times.

“This has been discussed with other top executives as well, and brought to the attention of the President more than once. Eventually it all turned out quite bad,” he said.

Umar’s comments come after President Yameen, in his address to the nation following an explosion on the presidential speedboat targeted at him on 28 September 2015, said that Vice President Ahmed Adeeb had made official and unofficial arrangements in violation of procedures for police officers.

Financial resources had been facilitated for police officers and this must be investigated, the President said.

Vice President Adeeb has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the boat blast.

Umar Naseer explained that although he was informed of these issues, he had no authority to give orders to top police officials, adding, “When I hear about these things, the first thing I do is inform the President. He was taking necessary action. I know he met with then Police Commissioner and discussed remedies.”

He assured that all complaints regarding undue influence on police would be in investigated, and all action would be taken to prevent this in the future.

Maldives Police Service is a professional institution, Umar Naseer said, but it has been damaged by Vice President Adeeb’s influence.

“We will overcome this damage caused by Vice President Adeeb,” he said.

He added that one person’s actions of should not ruin the reputation of the entire institution, and assured that the police are not corrupt. The number of corrupt officers, in fact, according to the Home Minister, would not exceed five.

“We will take action against corrupt officers, there is no doubt about that. All police officers are not corrupt.”

Top police officials including Commissioner Hussain Waheed have been dismissed following the allegations.