Parliament has requested the authorities to disclose the identities of the members of parliament implicated in the MMPRC corruption.
The formal audit report on the MMPRC fiasco showed that the state tourism promotion company, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) embezzled over US$ 79 million.
In a press conference held collectively last week by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Maldives Police Service and the Asset Recovery Commission, it was announced that there are 44 members of the 18th Parliament and 16 members of the current Parliament implicated in the corruption.
At a press conference in Parliament on Sunday, Secretary-General Fathimath Niusha said it was a matter of learning about the involvement of members of parliament in the graft while the Parliament Secretariat, the Speaker, and members were promoting integrity.
Accordingly, Parliament Speaker and former president of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed requested the relevant authorities to release the names of the MPs who gained from the corruption, Niusha added. She said, however, a statement has not yet been issued.
Niusha also said the legislature would investigate the issue and take appropriate action when the names are discussed with the parliament. She did not, however, reveal what action will be taken.
The press conference on Thursday revealed that while 177 people were previously thought to receive the embezzled fund, the number now exceeds 267. This includes 7 officials from the government, and 8 judges currently employed in Maldivian courts in addition to the current parliament’s 16 MPs.
