Dr. Muizzu urges against rushed handover of flats

President-elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu urges against rushing the handover of flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme during the few days remaining in the transitional period, and leaving it to the incoming administration, according to his spokesperson.

Mohamed Firuzul Abdulla Khaleel, the spokesperson for the Office of the President-elect, made the remark during his daily press briefing on Tuesday.

It comes amid multiple complaints over how points were awarded in selecting the recipients of the first 4,000 flats under the scheme. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has instructed a halt to the issuance of the flats as it investigates the complaints.

On Tuesday, Firuzul said that rushing the issuance of flats despite lack of public confidence in the process with just nine days left until the new administration takes office would create multiple issues.

“It is best to follow the ACC’s advice to pause hand over the agreements for the flats or the flats itself, and for the new administration is put in charge of conducting this process right, instead of rushing it during this short span of time,” he said.

“This is also the appeal of the president-elect.”

Firuzul said the new administration will take action if it is found that the evaluation was conducted in violation of regulations, and the flats were awarded to people who are ineligible.

The Office of the President-elect has previously stated that the incoming administration will not cancel applications for schemes conducted by the outgoing administration.

However, Firuzul said on Tuesday that the new administration will take action if it discovers any wrongdoing.

The permanent list of recipients of flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ housing scheme was published on the Government Gazette on Saturday.

According to the Housing Ministry, the recipients of the 4,000 units currently under construction by the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) on list of recipients for three-bedroom flats had all received upwards of 76 marks.

Meanwhile, the recipients of the 4,000 units on the list of two-bedroom flats had all received upwards of 73 marks.

On Sunday, dozens of protesters gathered at the Housing Ministry to express their displeasure.

They allege the assessment process had been unfair, that some applicants who had resided in Male’ for a fewer period of time had scored higher points, and that some lawmakers from the MDP and their family members were unfairly awarded flats.