ACC rules no corruption in distribution of dates by First Lady’s charity

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has ruled there was no corruption involved in distribution of dates donated by Saudi Arabian government during Ramadan, 2016 through Sadaqat Foundation – a charity set up by First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim.

The complaint alleging corruption was filed to ACC by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

In its statement this Tuesday after the completion of its investigation, ACC said that 500 boxes of the 50 tons of dates donated by the Saudi Arabian government was handed over to Muliaage by Ministry of Finance because Muliaage had expressed interest in helping distributing the dates as charity.

“The commission noted the arrangement was made to expedite distribution of dates to the people. Therefore, as there is no indication the arrangement was made for undue profit to a specific party, the commission has decided the case does not involve corruption,” read ACC’s statement.

ACC has instructed Ministry of Finance to set up an official procedure through which donations to the government for the people are handed over to offices and organizations for distribution.

The commission said the instruction was in light of multiple complaints such donations were being distributed unfairly.

The 500 boxes of dates released by Ministry of Finance to Muliaage were kept in the “President Yameen 2018” office in Janavaree Magu of Male’ City, and distributed by Sadaqat Foundation.

Saudi embassy in Maldives issued a statement saying the 50 tons of dates donated by Saudi government to the people of Maldives was a token of goodwill between the two Islamic nations. And expressed concern over the controversy surrounding its distribution.

Saudi embassy stated that the First Lady did not provide assistance to the poor, the needy and the disabled people living in Maldives for any personal gain, but for charity.