President Mohamed Muizzu has assured the public that all Right to Information requests submitted to the President’s Office will be responded to in accordance with the law.
Speaking during a press conference held at the President’s Office, the President acknowledged that some RTI applications remain pending and said instructions have now been issued to prioritize and expedite responses.
Muizzu stated that requests involving matters of national security would be reviewed personally before any information is released.
“If it concerns national security, I will personally review each case within the framework of the Constitution and my responsibilities before providing information,” the President said, adding that no citizen would want the country’s security to be compromised.
He further noted that all other RTI requests would be processed and completed quickly, while instructions have also been given to ministries and government agencies to accelerate responses to pending applications.
The remarks come amid public scrutiny regarding delays in responses to information requests submitted under the Right to Information Act.
Earlier, during the “Presser with the Spox” programme, Spokesperson at the President’s Office Mohamed Hussain Shareef shared figures relating to RTI submissions received over the past year.
According to the spokesperson, the President’s Office received 182 RTI requests between May and December last year, of which 170 were answered. From January this year to date, an additional 106 requests were submitted, with responses provided to 63.
In total, 288 RTI requests were received during the period, while 233 have been answered and 55 remain pending.
The spokesperson also reiterated that information related to national security cannot be disclosed, even if requested under the RTI framework.
The President’s latest comments are expected to reassure applicants awaiting responses and signal renewed efforts by the administration to improve compliance with information access obligations.
