In a call to action to combat corruption, Auditor General Hussain Niyazi emphasised that digitising the public procurement system is a crucial step towards eradicating corruption.
Speaking at the International Anti-Corruption Day ceremony, Niyazi highlighted that audit reports and investigations conducted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) often reveal issues of documentation fraud, which can lead to corruption.
He noted that digitising systems related to document submission and record-keeping can help solve this problem.
"If procurement is digitised, it will provide a major boost to ensuring integrity," he said, adding that this move is in line with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's digitalisation policy, Maldives 2.0.
The Auditor General also stressed the need for necessary legislative changes to facilitate the investigation of corruption cases, particularly in recovering lost state property and funds.
The ceremony also saw the launch of the ACC's Research Manual, Policy Manual, and Monitoring and Compliance Manual, as well as a study on corruption in government projects and a conflict of interest guideline.