The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has urged authorities to investigate alleged money laundering involving Maldives Media House, a company linked to President Mohamed Muizzu, over the leasing of office space to the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).
In a letter sent to police on Sunday, the MDP claimed that Maldives Media House rented several floors of Seerazeege for its offices, TV station, and subletting to third parties. The party alleged that a six-month advance payment for the lease, amounting to MVR 580,000 per month for a total of MVR 34.8 million over five years, was made in cash.
The MDP accused President Muizzu of using transactions associated with the leasing agreement to fund Maldives Media House, in which he has a vested interest. The party also alleged that the agreement, which has since been cancelled, was an act of money laundering.
“These transactions were conducted in the name of leasing premises for NSPA but were intended to cover operational costs for Maldives Media House. This constitutes an act of money laundering under President Muizzu’s direction,” the letter said.
The party further alleged that Abdulla Zahir, who manages President Muizzu’s privately owned apartment building at Dhimyaath in Maafannu and heads the Maldives Media House, made the advance payment despite having no prior history of owning or operating a business and no apparent means to account for such a substantial sum of money.
The MDP has also requested the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate potential corruption in the leasing arrangement.
The leasing of office space by Maldives Media House to NSPA drew widespread public criticism over the high rental rate and alleged links to President Muizzu. Neither the company nor NSPA initially addressed the allegations but ultimately referred them to the ACC. The agreement was later cancelled amid mounting public pressure.