ACC begins investigation after MP admits to giving bribes

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started investigating after the MP for the Hoarafushi constituency, Mohamed Ismail said that he went around with the “money sack” from the Maldives Marketing and Public relations Corporation (MMPRC) giving it away.

Vice President of the ACC, Muaviz Rasheed told Sun Media tonight that they are checking the financial transactions as part of their investigation into the MMPRC and during the course of the investigation, an MP has spoken in a manner to be admitting to be involved, hence an investigation has begun.

He said that the ACC is looking into the rumors and publications on the media regarding the MMPRC.

Speaking at the debate on the MMPC corruption at the Parliament today, MP Mohamed Ismail said that no MP is pious enough to accuse other MPs of stealing and he knows that members of MDP also took money from MMPRC. He said that it was he that went to MPs with that particular “money sack.”

According to Article 90 of the Maldivian Constitution, no member or other person shall be liable to any proceedings in any court, and no person shall be subject to any inquiry, arrest, detention or prosecution, with respect to anything said in, produced before, or submitted to the People’s Majlis (Parliament) or any of its committees, or with respect to any vote given if the same is not contrary to any tenet of Islam.

Lawyers say that MP Mohamed Ismail can and must be investigated since the basis of his confession is goes against the Islamic faith.