Public Accounts Committee of the People’s Majlis today decided to instruct the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate and prosecute any potential issues related to former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) regarding the amounts of money disbursed as compensation to various parties by the Settlement Committee established by the previous government.
The matter was proposed to the committee by PNC member Mohamed Mamdhooh of Funadhoo constituency. The motion, seconded by PNC member Abdulla Shareef of Kelaa constituency, passed with the votes of six committee members.
Member Mamdhooh stated that through the Settlement Committee, Solih’s government had given out 36 islands, six lagoons, and an amount exceeding two billion rufiyaa. He said that as the head of the committee established for compensation, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail, former President’s Office Minister Ali Shiyam, and all others involved in the committee should be investigated for negligence, and the Prosecutor General’s Office should be instructed to prosecute.
Regarding this issue, PNC member Ahmed Azaan of Hithadhoo Central constituency said that the creation of a Settlement Committee at the President’s Office by Solih’s government to give away public property and money as compensation is unprecedented in the country’s history.
“A relative of Fayyaz Ismail, who sits on the committee, has also been given islands to develop resorts for many years. Previously, compensation was given through a court process,” he said.
Concerning this matter, MDP member Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo) of Hanimaadhoo constituency said that requesting the PG Office to investigate such an issue is a politically motivated action by a member of the government party to achieve political objectives.
“Bringing it here [to the Public Accounts Committee] and asking to investigate an issue by naming specific individuals makes it political. This is a political act done for political purposes. There is a system within the government to do this,” he said.
Gapo stated that it is possible to investigate whether there is an issue within the government without summoning people to committees.
After the current government came to power, the Settlement Committee, which was established to provide compensation for issues related to agreements between the previous government and private parties, has been dissolved.
