MDP claims gov’t intimidation tied to Fenaka audit findings

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Sunday accused the government of intimidating Auditor General Hussain Niyazy in connection with a report detailing alleged corruption within the Fenaka Corporation during the last three years of the MDP's time in power.

The audit report claimed that Fenaka conducted transactions exceeding MVR 2 billion during the specified period, with a significant portion indicating graft. It also highlighted that over MVR 1 billion worth of work was awarded to various companies without competitive bidding.

In its first official comment on the audit report, the MDP issued a statement condemning its publication, alleging it was "prepared by politicians who opened the office of an independent institution in the middle of the night".

The statement affirmed the MDP government's willingness to participate in a "fair trial" to investigate any violations of laws, rules, and regulations by state agencies and companies during its administration. However, the party stated it would only address "rumors spread by the government's ‘propaganda machine’" within such a fair trial.

The MDP further asserted that the report's publication without consulting the involved individuals and companies proves its "politically motivated" nature. The party alleges the report aims to "defame Maldives' private businesses by making unsubstantiated false accusations."

"The Fenaka audit report was issued for political purposes to cover up talk about the government's looting of the entire state through agencies and companies. The report was issued by the government after seeing the response to the upcoming October 3 rally," the MDP statement read.

The party also suggested that a parliamentary session scheduled for Thursday would be used to "further spread propaganda" due to what it described as "extreme" public dissatisfaction with the government.

"The government has been issuing political reports and making political judgments, but I am sure that the people will take to the streets next Friday to hold this government accountable," the statement concluded.

While the MDP accused the government of holding a parliamentary session to disseminate propaganda, the scheduled Thursday sitting marks the first session of parliament following its recess.

The Fenaka audit report has indeed uncovered very serious issues, including the awarding of contracts at prices higher than market rates and the awarding of projects without proper bidding processes.

In a related development, the Criminal Court on Sunday sentenced the then Managing Director of Fenaka to four years in jail.