The Commission has openly published the annual report in its official website, as stipulated in Act No. 13/2008 (Anti-Corruption Commission Act) on 13th March 2018. The report includes information on Commission’s work of the year 2017.
Compared to the past years, 2017 is remarkable as the year in which Commission has concluded most number of cases up till now. As such, the Commission has concluded a total of 1326 cases in the year 2017. This is a 60% increase compared to the number of concluded cases in 2016. Furthermore, cases initiated by the Commission has increased by 31% as 135 cases were initiated by the Commission during the year 2017.
The efforts of strengthening the organization includes, familiarization and training sessions held for all staffs regarding changes brought to the Commission’s regulations and investigation manual by the enactment of Criminal Procedure Code. Moreover, in the year 2017, an intelligence unit was established to support investigation of corruption and collecting data and evidence regarding the cases by focusing on contemporary approaches of misconducts. Also, developments were brought to the legal unit in order to strengthen the asset recovery mechanisms.
Efforts to strengthen investigation and conclusion of cases involved evaluation and categorization of complaints received. Commission has now arranged systematic collection of documents and necessary details of cases lodged as well as their investigation and providing recommendations at the evaluation stage.
Anti-Corruption Conference is another milestone achieved in the year 2017, being the first nationwide conference held to explore challenges to stakeholders of corruption prevention system of Maldives. Several law enforcement institutions participated and contributed to the two-day conference.
In order to carry out research on the prevention of corruption and to provide recommendations to institutions, the Commission has published a Corruption Risk Assessment of importing goods and services through Maldives Customs Services and a research on hajj management system of the Maldives. Also, Corruption Risk Assessment on Immigration sector is in progress.
Moreover, under the assistance of Integrated Governance Program by UNDP, a Social audit program at Fuvahmulah and Integrity Festival at Addu City were conducted in order to enhance corruption prevention.
Furthermore, Bithufangi radio series were broadcasted through Radio Atoll and Voice of Maldives. Other significant activities include, National Integrity pledge being signed by 567 people, various awareness sessions, National and International Anti-Corruption Day events focused at increasing public awareness on corruption and its negative impacts.
ACC has submitted its annual report with necessary details on time as stipulated by law to President’s Office and People’s Majlis. ACC’s annual report for the year 2017 is available at its website.