The People's Majlis has accepted a bill on declaring assets of ministers, advisers, ambassadors and members of Majlis submitted by Dhaalu member ADK Nashid. The bill was debated extensively in the Majlis for two days and several members of the Majlis participated in the debate. The bill was seeking to make it mandatory for top government officials to declare their assets as a measure to ensure accountability and transparency.
During the debate members voiced their concern about corruption which they said has become a plague destroying the society and its values. Several members said the extent of corruption in the government has become so serious that it is essential to make necessary safeguards to counter the growing menace. A member said the country is being devastated by corruption in high places and huge commissions are being collected with major projects.
Some members said the bill was a good bill but needed extensive improvement on the basis of the new Constitution and suggestions made by members during the debate. They spoke of several important amendments necessary for the bill and some highlighted on the need for unrestricted dissemination of information of the declared assets. Members said that would serve the purpose of investigating undeclared assets as the media will have the capacity and means for investigative journalism.
Several members suggested including more top tanking of officials of the government whose assets need to be declared. Some members proposed to declare assets of the president, vice president, those holding independent positions in independent commissions, judges and top officials of government companies. Others said there is high corruption involving more junior officials of some offices and there should be proper mechanism to check and counter such corruption and bribery as well. There was also concern about the need for declaring assets of top executives of large private companies as cases of fraud and graft are common happenings in other parts of the world.
All members expressed the dire need of passing such a bill especially at a time of unprecedented national reform especially in the wake of the new Constitution.
Majlis also continued the second reading of the Bill on amalgamating all government agencies on social welfare under one institution proposed by Dhaalu atoll MP Ahmed Nashid. At yesterday’s sitting 7 members spoke on the Bill when the Chair adjourned the sitting having run out of allocated time for the sitting.
Yesterday’s sitting attended by 40 members was chaired by Speaker of the Majlis Mohamed Shihab. Majlis will meet again this morning at 0900 hours at Majlis chambers.
During the debate members voiced their concern about corruption which they said has become a plague destroying the society and its values. Several members said the extent of corruption in the government has become so serious that it is essential to make necessary safeguards to counter the growing menace. A member said the country is being devastated by corruption in high places and huge commissions are being collected with major projects.
Some members said the bill was a good bill but needed extensive improvement on the basis of the new Constitution and suggestions made by members during the debate. They spoke of several important amendments necessary for the bill and some highlighted on the need for unrestricted dissemination of information of the declared assets. Members said that would serve the purpose of investigating undeclared assets as the media will have the capacity and means for investigative journalism.
Several members suggested including more top tanking of officials of the government whose assets need to be declared. Some members proposed to declare assets of the president, vice president, those holding independent positions in independent commissions, judges and top officials of government companies. Others said there is high corruption involving more junior officials of some offices and there should be proper mechanism to check and counter such corruption and bribery as well. There was also concern about the need for declaring assets of top executives of large private companies as cases of fraud and graft are common happenings in other parts of the world.
All members expressed the dire need of passing such a bill especially at a time of unprecedented national reform especially in the wake of the new Constitution.
Majlis also continued the second reading of the Bill on amalgamating all government agencies on social welfare under one institution proposed by Dhaalu atoll MP Ahmed Nashid. At yesterday’s sitting 7 members spoke on the Bill when the Chair adjourned the sitting having run out of allocated time for the sitting.
Yesterday’s sitting attended by 40 members was chaired by Speaker of the Majlis Mohamed Shihab. Majlis will meet again this morning at 0900 hours at Majlis chambers.
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