Moosa Ali Jaleel to receive Grand Order of Military Honor

Major General (Retired) Moosa Ali Jaleel is set to receive the Grand Order of Military Honor in recognition of his valor in face of the terror attack of November 3, 1988.

The President’s Office announced the decision of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to confer the top military honor to Jaleel in a statement on Saturday.

According to the President’s Office, the decision recognizes Jaleel's distinguished service to national security and his significant contributions to safeguarding the sovereignty of the Maldives.

The honor particularly acknowledges his velour during the events of November 3, 1988, when he demonstrated extraordinary courage in the face of a terror attack.

The President’s Office said that his actions were instrumental in protecting the nation and its people.

He will be officially presented with the award during the official Victory Day function, which will begin at 08:30 pm on Sunday at Dharubaaruge.

The foiled attack of November 3, 1988, with armed mercenaries from Tamil secessionist organization People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), was carried out in an attempt to overthrow then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration.

The attack killed 19 Maldivian citizens - eight soldiers and 11 civilians - and left scores more injured.

Jaleel is credited with playing a crucial role in organizing and leading the defense of Bandaara Koshi, the military headquarters in Male’ during the attack.

He received a shrapnel injury to his leg while countering the attacks at the north east corner of Kandaara Koshi, where the fighting was most intense, but continued to fight despite his injury.

Jaleel is among the country’s most highly decorated military veterans, with 10 service medals and nine service ribbons, including the Medal for Exceptional Bravery (Huravee Ran Medal) and the Purple Heart (Jihaadhuge Raiy Medal) for his role in fighting the foreign mercenaries.

Jaleel was appointed as the Chief of Defense Force on in 2008 by the then-President Mohamed Nasheed.

He honorably retired from active service in 2012, and was later appointed as Minister of Defense in 2015 by then-President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. But he was dismissed mere months later, in the wake of the explosion on the presidential speedboat, Finifenmaa.

His decorated military record is marred by allegations of corruption during his political career.

In March 2023, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) asked the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) to charge Jaleel with money laundering, based on an alleged MVR 1 million transfer he received from former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor – money that the corruption watchdog believes were funds stolen from the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).

The commission said at the time that there was sufficient evidence to establish Jaleel was aware the money was obtained through criminal means.

However, Jaleel denied receiving any money from Adeeb. He also maintained his innocence, saying he never touched a single cent of public funds.