Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started investigating a case that alleges the wife of current Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed to have established a business company in partnership with a businessman from Dubai.
ACC’s Vice President Muavviz Rasheed told Sun today that a private source had submitted a case to the ACC regarding the matter and that ACC has initiated investigations.
“After the issued come to our attention, a private source has also submitted the case to us yesterday and now we are investigating it, as to how it has happened,” Muavviz said.
A company registered under the name “Pure Gold Jewelers Maldives” lists its shareholders as Minister Shaheem’s wife Afiya Waheed and a businessman from Dubai, Firoz Ghulam Hussain. Mr. Ghulam Hussain had earlier vouched to contribute a sum of $10,000 (MVR 154,200) to the Maldives Zakat Fund each month.
Pure Gold Jewelers has more than 125 stores in the Middle East and Asia. In the company’s website, the Chairman Firoz Ghulam Hussain states that the company's aim is to open over 25 duty free locations across the world and that they are currently having discussions with Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia and Maldives Duty Free to open new shops.
Efforts to obtain a word from Islamic Minister Sheikh Shaheem has been so far unsuccessful has his phone has been switched off.
Prevention and Prohibition of Corruption Act of 2000 states it as an offence for the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, a member of the cabinet, a Minister of the State, or a person of similar status, the Auditor General, Commissioner of Elections, a Judge of the High Court of Maldives, an Atoll Chief, wives or husband’s of such persons and from employees of government those decided by the President, their wives and husbands to run or manage any type of business in conjunction with foreigners.
The Act states that a person who commits such an offence shall be punishable with imprisonment, or banishment or house arrest not exceeding 3 years.