ACC Calls on Police to Prevent Destruction of State Documents by Government Entities

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has urged the Maldives Police to help stop the destruction of government documents. Recently Fuel Supplies Maldives was removing a number of documents related to its business during the interim process, these papers are believed to encompass vital documents such as invoices and delivery notes.

In a statement, the agency said it had received complaints about the destruction of documents of government agencies, government, and state-owned enterprises and had come to the notice of the commission. Such acts such as alteration of state documents, and destruction and concealment of documents are likely to hamper the commission's investigation and hence such activities are directed to be stopped.

The ACC's proactive approach in bringing this to the attention of the Maldives Police Service is commendable. However, it is essential to understand that merely identifying the issue is not enough. Concrete steps must be taken to ensure that such acts are not only prevented in the future but also that those responsible are held accountable.

Transparency, accountability, and good governance form the backbone of any successful democratic institution. They ensure that those in power remain answerable to their constituents and that their actions, especially in the financial realm, can be audited and monitored for any form of misconduct. It is therefore deeply troubling to witness recent events in the Maldives, where state-owned enterprises appear to be tampering with or outright destroying potentially vital government documents.