Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem), the PNC member for Eydhafushi constituency in the People’s Majlis and Chair of the Public Finance Committee, has alleged tonight that the previous government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stole about 10 billion rufiyaa through state-owned companies. Speaking at a meeting held at the Congress Party headquarters, Saleem said that the financial state of companies should be something clearly known to the public, and that in the previous government, every company was in debt by three billion or six billion rufiyaa.
Saleem shared some of the findings from studies conducted by the Public Finance Committee on the financial state of state-owned companies from 2018 to 2023. Saleem said that by awarding contracts at high prices and purchasing items, Fenaka alone has ‘stolen’ about four billion rufiyaa. “Looking at all the companies together, approximately 10 billion rufiyaa has been directly stolen within those five years. This means by purchasing items at prices higher than market rates and awarding contracts at inflated prices,” Saleem said.
Saleem said that what the opposition is trying to do now is to place the accusations of corruption that were leveled against leaders of all previous governments on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s head as well. However, he said that opportunity will not be given and that President Muizzu is conducting affairs more perfectly than that. Saleem, who is serving his fourth term in the parliament, said that the financial state of companies should be something clearly known to the public. He also noted that these details need to be repeatedly reminded to the public.
Saleem said that although state revenue has increased, the problem now faced is the escalation of “betrayals” committed against the country in the name of stabilizing the economy by previous governments.”
