~' Dhivehi Vindhu `~ For the People ~ From the Pleople

Corruption of previous govt. must be investigated - Members

Members of the People’s Majlis speaking at the Majlis sitting held on Tuesday expressed that misappropriation of state funds and corruption issues of the former president’s 30 year long government should be investigated and urgent measures be taken to recover the lost funds.

Members made the comments while deliberating on the report submitted by the Majlis standing committee on Financial Affairs on the proposed 2009 budget for the Auditor General’s Office.

Speaking on the proposed budget of Audit Office for year 2009, MP for Laamu atoll Moosa Manik said that after a long lapse, it is good to know the status of government finances and those issues of corruption and misappropriation of the previous government should be investigated. He said audits undertaken by the Auditor General were important to prevent further corruption. He said he was in support of endorsing the budget as proposed by the Auditor General despite recommendation by the Majlis Financial Committee to cut down Rf 1.3 Million allocated for Human Resource Development. He urged the Majlis to summon the Prosecutor General to question why no action has been initiated following the Auditor General’s audit reports.

Dhaalu MP ADK Nashid speaking on the proposed budget of Audit Office for year 2009 said that he was surprised by the Majlis Committee’s recommendations to cut down the proposed budget. He said such action should not even be contemplated and expressed support to endorse the budget as proposed.

Male’ MP Ibrahim Ismail speaking on the proposed budget of Audit office said it is the responsibility of the Majlis to provide the adequate budget to Auditor General to discharge his responsibilities and duties efficiently and effectively. He said Rf 31 Million budget to monitor and see what happens to a budget of Rf 12 Billion is not excessive and that funds allocated for human resource development to increase the capacity and capability of the office should not be cut.

Presidential Appointee Mohamed Riyaz commenting on the budget said auditing plays an important role in reducing and preventing corruption and that during the past auditors have been prevented from entering certain government offices. He said during 2008 presidential election campaign period huge loans were given to influential members of the former President Gayoom’s party, Dhivehi Rahyithunge Party (DRP) from Bank of Maldives and said it is important to know the actual financial status of the company. He also called on the government to hold inquiries in to Air Maldives issue, FPID and MSL and to take legal action against any found guilty.

Thaa MP Hassan Afeef expressed that the proposed budget of Audit Office for the year 2009 should not be cut down even by a single cent and urged the government to take seek out those who have misappropriated government funds and to prosecute them. Ga MP Abdulla Jabir expressed concern over lack of action following Audit Reports. He said auditing is an important tool for the prevention of corruption and if audits were not taken then corruption will surface.

Members at the Tuesday generally expressed support to endorse the budget as proposed by the Auditor General without any cuts. The budget was finally endorsed 21 members voting in favor out of 30 members in attendance. 3 members voted against while the rest abstained.

The sitting was chaired by Speaker of the Majlis Mohamed Shihab.