Ex State Minister: I don’t have any money owing to the State

Former Minister of State for Islamic Affairs during former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration, Al-Sheikh Hussain Rasheed Ahmed has stated that the Ministry of Finance has not asked him to return any money owing to the State.

Hussain Rasheed spoke to “Sun” on Saturday and said that Ministry of Finance had not sent him any notification asking that he return any money, and that he did not owe any money to the State.

He said that he had not taken any action during his term in office during President Nasheed’s administration that would require him having to pay back money to the State.

“I did not deal with any money. Ever. I never dealt with any money in any position within the government. I wasn’t issued any government phone. If that had been the case only would I have outstanding phone bill payments like some others. So [President] Yameen has just slapped himself on the face. I want to say thank you, Yameen,” said Hussain Rasheed.

Ministry of Finance had said last Thursday that they had instructed seven former State officials, including former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and Hussain Rasheed to pay back the money they owed the State.

The Ministry said that audits proved the individuals owed the State money, but did not disclose the amounts to media.

The individuals named by Ministry of Finance are:

• Former Maldivian President, Mohamed Nasheed

• Former State Minister of Islamic Affairs, Al-Sheikh Hussain Rasheed Ahmed

• Former Minister of Home Affairs, current Male’ City Mayor Mohamed Shihab

• Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Naseem

• Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed

• Former Commissioner General of Customs, Mohamed Aswaan

• Former Housing Minister, Mohamed Aslam

Ministry of Finance warned that civil lawsuits will be filed against them through Attorney General’s Office if they did not pay the money within a week’s period.