Transparency Maldives express concern as MPs advocate personal interests

Transparency Maldives, on Thursday, has expressed concern continued advocation by MPs for their personal interests over that of the public.

The NGO has criticized the current regime on asset declaration for MPs as it only required MPs to submit their first asset declaration to the parliament one and a half years after assuming office.

“Due to this prolonged period, it becomes exceedingly difficult to ascertain the wealth acquired by MPs during this period, thereby complicating the determination of whether any enrichment was illicit,” Transparency Maldives’ statement read.

They stressed that the gap allows MPs to potentially serve their own interest rather than those of their constituents.

In the same statement, Transparency Maldives also expressed concern over the fact that MPs continue to advocate for their personal interests over that of the public.

In this regard, it was noted that 67 outs of the 93 MPs in the incumbent parliamentary assembly are newly elected, and henceforth, stressed the lack of information on their asset, liabilities and income from other sources in addition to potential conflicts of interest.

Citing the absence of robust laws, Transparency Maldives called upon MPs to proactively publish their asset declaration when assuming office and bolster trust in anti-corruption efforts.

They further noted that the organization was lobbying to strengthen the current asset declaration regime according to international best practices. In this trajectory, they noted the submission of a bill on financial and other interests to the 19^th parliamentary assembly in February 2022. The bill which included provisions to ensure an effective, verifiable and consistent system would be enacted and penalties for non-disclosure had been at the Committee stage at the conclusion of the 19^th parliamentary assembly's term.