“MDP offered me millions of rufiya to join”: MP Mahlouf
05 Jul 2010, 9:35 PM
Ahmed Nazeer
Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) MP Ahmed Mahlouf has claimed that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has offered him “millions of rufiya” to join the party.
”I swear by God that MDP once offered me seven million rufiya and later nine million rufiya if I joined them,” said Mahlouf. ”Still, out of the respect I have for certain MDP members I will not reveal their names.”
However Mahlouf said he had sought to file a case with police concerning charges of bribery against MDP MP and Parliamentary Group leader Moosa ‘Reeko’ Manik.
”I am not sure the case will be investigated,” said Mahloof, ”because police will not investigate charges against MDP members.”
He accused President Mohamed Nasheed of “threatening MPs to vote on the government’s side.”
Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam confirmed that Mahlouf sent a letter to police requesting they investigate a case.
”We cannot give further information as the investigation is ongoing,” said Shiyam. ”We will go through the letter and take the necessary measures.”
Moosa meanwhile claimed said that ever since MDP had come into administration, the opposition “has tried to defame me in many ways.”
”They loaded bottles of alcohol into my car while I was abroad, and for seven nights and seven days it was on the media,” alleged Moosa. ”Once they even told a radio station that I was an [illegitimate] child.”
Moosa said he had “patiently” been ignoring the claims.
”But I won’t be silent anymore – this time I will file a [counter-claim] for defamation,” he said.