Nasheed: Parliamentary committee for MMPRC scandal unnecessary

The Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has stated that he does not see the need for a parliamentary committee to investigate the MMPRC scandal.

The Speaker said so in response to a letter received from Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir asking to form a separate parliamentary committee to investigate the scandal through the parliament.

To this letter, Speaker Nasheed stated that the government has already formed a commission for the investigation which is currently underway and that he does not see the need for a separate parliamentary committee to investigate the scandal. The Speaker also noted that the Presidential commission was working under the law and was accountable to the Parliament.

Nasheed was referring to the Presidential Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery which is investigating the scandal alongside the Anti-Corruption Commission and Police.

The MMPRC scandal totaling at MVR 3.2 billion. It is estimated that payments to MMPRC from the sale of lagoons and islands totaling USD 77.55 million were misappropriated. Only USD 12.5 million was deposited to the accounts of MMPRC while USD 5.3 million ended up in the SOF account.

During a news conference held last month by the ACC, Asset Recovery Commission, and Police, it was divulged that 16 MPs of the current Parliament received payoffs from the scandal as well as judges and former Police Commissioners.