Usham: New law greatly strengthens independence from external influence

With the newly enacted law governing the Attorney General’s (AG) Office, the avenues for external influence over the office's operations have been substantially curtailed, Attorney General Ahmed Usham stated on Saturday evening.

Speaking at the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the AG’s Office, Usham highlighted that the most critical steps to bolster the office's work were undertaken this year. This culminated on May 29, when President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the AG’s Office bill, he said.

The Attorney General noted that the bill had been under development since 2009.

Usham emphasized that the new amendments to the law now actively encourage the Attorney General to resist undue influence.

“The Act establishing the Attorney General's Office significantly increases the responsibilities and commitments of the Attorney General to maintain the Constitution and adhere to the law,” he affirmed.

He further clarified that the office transcends being merely a legal institution. It serves as a testament to the importance the Maldives places on justice, equality, and the rule of law, he added.

Usham’s remarks were made in connection with the recent changes to the AG Office Act, to which the current parliament introduced two amendments.

One amendment restricts the powers previously granted to the AG to determine the organizational structure of posts within the AG’s Office. This amendment now mandates that the employee structure be submitted to the President's Office for approval.

Earlier, an amendment empowering the President to appoint a Deputy AG to the Office was also passed.

While the Constitution designates the AG's office as an independent body, it has historically operated under the civil service. However, institutions legally recognized as independent bodies function under their own distinct laws.

Similarly, with the Foreign Service Act coming into force in 2021, the Foreign Ministry was separated from the civil service.