corruptibradoesitagain
Where did the money go? Ibra faces another investigation
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Male’, Maldives, 21st January 2006 (olhuala.com) – Recriminations from the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) failure to get its revolt up and running have intensified as party leader Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) face new allegations of corruption and misappropriation of party finances. The accusations were laid out in the shadow cabinet's ongoing series of emergency meetings tasked with figuring out explanations for their lackluster efforts.
The issue was raised in a meeting of the MDP shadow cabinet held at Galolhuge’ on the 19th of this month. Ibra left the meeting about two hours before the meeting finally adjourned around 2.30 in the morning.
Ibra faced the first grilling regarding the controversial junket he undertook to Malaysia and Sri Lanka two weeks ago. It had been announced that his trip was undertaken on party work and was financed with party funds. It has since emerged that the traveling group included Ibra's wife Hafeeza, their two children, Ibra's personal minder Raaidh (ex-army), his wife and child.
The trip lasted well over a week however official business took up just six hours of Ibra's time. It is alleged that the rest of his time was taken up with holidaying with Raaidh and their families.
A faction within MDP led by Mohamed Waheed Hassan has demanded a justification of the expense of over US $12,000 of MDP funds. Ibra has formally reported back that he met with a 'selection' of Maldivian students in Kuala Lumpur for two hours as well as treating Tan Sri Musa Hitam, Commonwealth Special Envoy, to dinner at the Vistana Hotel.
Ibra also reported Mr. Hitam as 'fully supportive of MDP's efforts to overthrow the Maldivian government', a claim that sources within the MDP have dismissed.
In addition, the UK-based Friends of Maldives have reported that certain amounts of money had been deposited in Mohamed Nasheed's (Annie) Singapore account as well as MDP held accounts in Colombo. It is alleged that Ibra used the trip to transfer his money in foreign cash from Colombo to KL where he deposited into a Singapore account.
The Maldives Police Service is believed to have been alerted, as they believe serious irregularities are involved. The Commercial Crime Unit of the MPS are reported to be making enquiries in collaboration with the Singapore Police Force Commercial Affairs Department.
Further, Ibra has also claimed that he secured more funding for the MDP during his trip overseas although he has so far refused to reveal any details about the sums involved and the donors and the conditions they set, despite much pressure from shadow cabinet members.
Conversely, Waheed has also claimed similar results from a recent visit abroad although the funds he secured seem to come attached with the condition that he has to be the leader of the party for the funds to materialise. “He too has so far failed to reveal the amounts involved and the donors” said a source close to the MDP leadership.
This is not the first time that Ibra has been accused of financial irregularities. In his short career as MDP leader, he has been accused of stealing money from the fund maintained to provide 'legal aid to people charged for creating public disorder'. Ibra's private "Mandhu Learning Centre" is said to have had a face-lift with the help of this money. He was also dismissed from the post of MDP spokesman over corruption charges.
During his time in government (Education sector), he had to deal with a number of allegations of impropriety including the awarding of public contracts to his own privately owned companies, preferential treatment for family members in awarding scholarships and also for stealing public money. Ibra resigned from government unable to shake off the tag of pilferer, although his change of career has apparently not helped in this regard.
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The issue was raised in a meeting of the MDP shadow cabinet held at Galolhuge’ on the 19th of this month. Ibra left the meeting about two hours before the meeting finally adjourned around 2.30 in the morning.
Ibra faced the first grilling regarding the controversial junket he undertook to Malaysia and Sri Lanka two weeks ago. It had been announced that his trip was undertaken on party work and was financed with party funds. It has since emerged that the traveling group included Ibra's wife Hafeeza, their two children, Ibra's personal minder Raaidh (ex-army), his wife and child.
The trip lasted well over a week however official business took up just six hours of Ibra's time. It is alleged that the rest of his time was taken up with holidaying with Raaidh and their families.
A faction within MDP led by Mohamed Waheed Hassan has demanded a justification of the expense of over US $12,000 of MDP funds. Ibra has formally reported back that he met with a 'selection' of Maldivian students in Kuala Lumpur for two hours as well as treating Tan Sri Musa Hitam, Commonwealth Special Envoy, to dinner at the Vistana Hotel.
Ibra also reported Mr. Hitam as 'fully supportive of MDP's efforts to overthrow the Maldivian government', a claim that sources within the MDP have dismissed.
In addition, the UK-based Friends of Maldives have reported that certain amounts of money had been deposited in Mohamed Nasheed's (Annie) Singapore account as well as MDP held accounts in Colombo. It is alleged that Ibra used the trip to transfer his money in foreign cash from Colombo to KL where he deposited into a Singapore account.
The Maldives Police Service is believed to have been alerted, as they believe serious irregularities are involved. The Commercial Crime Unit of the MPS are reported to be making enquiries in collaboration with the Singapore Police Force Commercial Affairs Department.
Further, Ibra has also claimed that he secured more funding for the MDP during his trip overseas although he has so far refused to reveal any details about the sums involved and the donors and the conditions they set, despite much pressure from shadow cabinet members.
Conversely, Waheed has also claimed similar results from a recent visit abroad although the funds he secured seem to come attached with the condition that he has to be the leader of the party for the funds to materialise. “He too has so far failed to reveal the amounts involved and the donors” said a source close to the MDP leadership.
This is not the first time that Ibra has been accused of financial irregularities. In his short career as MDP leader, he has been accused of stealing money from the fund maintained to provide 'legal aid to people charged for creating public disorder'. Ibra's private "Mandhu Learning Centre" is said to have had a face-lift with the help of this money. He was also dismissed from the post of MDP spokesman over corruption charges.
During his time in government (Education sector), he had to deal with a number of allegations of impropriety including the awarding of public contracts to his own privately owned companies, preferential treatment for family members in awarding scholarships and also for stealing public money. Ibra resigned from government unable to shake off the tag of pilferer, although his change of career has apparently not helped in this regard.
Click to read full story