New FIU Head Sajid rejects link to leaked report scandal

Ismail Sajid, the recently appointed head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) at the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), stated on Thursday that his appointment was not connected to the recent leak of a financial intelligence report.

The report, which surfaced on August 2 via an anonymous X-account, Hassan Kurusee, contains allegations against Ibrahim Shujau (Shuja), a senior deputy leader of the ruling PNC parliamentary group. It details significant sums of money allegedly deposited with Shuja through the Sifainge Welfare Company (SIWEC).

Following the report's online dissemination, Abdulla Ashraf, the former head of the FIU, was removed from his position and transferred to the bank's head of Risk and Compliance. Sajid, who had been with the Tax Appeal Tribunal until July 14, was subsequently appointed to the role.

Sajid informed reporters that his appointment to the post was decided on July 31st, though it was officially announced on August 3rd. He reiterated that his appointment was not a consequence of the leaked report.

"Actually, the decision to appoint me was made on Thursday, and the report was leaked that weekend. Specifically, the leak occurred on Friday or Saturday that week. Therefore, this appointment was not made as a result of the report's leak. The individual responsible for the appointment is aware of their own motivations. Nonetheless, I personally believe that it is a move towards enhancing the effectiveness of financial intelligence," Sajid stated.

Furthermore, Sajid believes his appointment aims to strengthen the unit's operations. The FIU is responsible for analyzing information from institutions such as banks and forwarding it to investigative agencies.

In the aftermath of the report's leak, Shujau was removed from both the parliament’s SOE committee and the Public Accounts Committee, which he had been leading.