Abdulla Ashraf, the head of the central bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit was transferred to the risk and compliance unit, a day after the leak of an FIU report on alleged illicit enrichment by ruling party lawmaker Ibrahim Shujau through inflated government contracts for events management. Ashraf was replaced by Ismail Sajid. Meanwhile, as the media verified the March 2024 report as authentic, the police confirmed an investigation was underway, more than a year after the report was shared with the authorities. Ashraf had previously been removed from his post after flagging suspicious transactions by then-president Yameen ahead of the 2018 election.
Mohamed Shaheed, a former deputy minister who campaigned for the ruling party, withdrew his candidacy for the High Court bench, hours before he was due to take his oath of office. The withdrawal followed the civil court accepting a case challenging his selection by the JSC. Former civil court judge Abdulla Jameel Moosa was meanwhile sworn in to fill a second vacant seat on the appeals court.
The Fahi Dhirulhun Corporation denied halting the signing of agreements for 4,000 social housing flats in Hulhumalé. The process was only delayed for some recipients as instructed by the housing ministry, the state-owned company said, noting that 232 agreements had been signed as of last week.
The ruling party proposed amendments to the Decentralisation Act to tighten controls on council-run businesses as well as land leases and the management of council bank accounts. The legal changes would also curb council powers during the final year of their term.
Patients with chronic illnesses who regularly use the RTL high-speed ferry can travel for free, Deputy Transport Minister Ibrahim Yasir told state media. Each patient and their accompanying helper will receive a special card.
Mohamed Asbah Ali Naseer was appointed as the new deputy managing director of the Housing Development Corporation.
Mohamed Fawaz Lutfy, 32, and Aminath Fainaz, 33, were arrested on suspicion of extorting over MVR 300,000 (US$ 19,455) from a man by threatening to leak his nude photos. Both suspects were found in possession of drugs at the time of arrest.
