Former Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim declared that all systems in Maldives facilitate extortion and corruption.
Speaking in a Channel News Maldives (CNM) program, Niyaz stated that all systems were designed to accommodate corruption, and audit reports would not be an effective solution for the issue. "Our systems have been corrupt from the very beginning, to continue to encourage corrupt activities. Certain individuals benefit from this", said Niyaz.
"Which systems in Maldives impede corruption? Every scheme is structured in a way to take advantage of it". He considered how the public was to trust the government to carry out even a regular process such as a tender process, impartially.
"Are the organizations assigned to major cases selected fairly? Do these companies receive contracts based on political affiliations or close relations with some government official? There is no guarantee. This is only a small issue. There are numerous issues that facilitate such processes".
No organization runs on its own, so these issues arise due to the viewpoints of those in positions of power, and will not be resolved if those below them do not see their efforts to fix them, the former auditor general stated.
Niyaz further stated that the country is now one that disregards its laws, and deemed the current government incapable of investigating the MMPRC corruption scandal.