Management staff of Fenaka Corporation from across the Maldives have reportedly been instructed to travel to the capital Malé City this week, coinciding with the People’s National Congress (PNC) rally scheduled for November 14, raising questions over potential misuse of state resources for political purposes.
An internal memo issued on October 6, signed by Deputy Managing Director Adam Thaufeeq of Fenaka’s Human Resources Department, informed all regional branches that a “symposium” for staff in charge of branch operations would be held in Malé City on November 13 and 14. The memo also directed that the details of relevant staff be submitted in writing to Fenaka’s Central Administration Department.
However, many within the company and in political circles believe this so-called symposium may be a pretext to mobilize employees for the upcoming PNC rally. The timing of the event, immediately before the political meeting, has intensified concerns that government-owned enterprises are being used to serve partisan interests.
As President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration approaches its two-year mark, allegations of state resource misuse and political coercion have grown increasingly frequent. Critics point to a pattern of behavior in which state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are allegedly manipulated to advance ruling party agendas while undermining opposition activities.
Earlier in October, several SOEs reportedly organized work-related events on the same day the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held a mass gathering, in what opposition members described as an effort to suppress participation. Now, the pattern appears reversed, SOE employees are being brought to Malé City under various pretexts ahead of a major PNC gathering.
Opposition parties have condemned such actions, calling them blatant corruption and a clear abuse of public funds and authority. They argue that the administration has turned state institutions into political instruments, eroding the distinction between government and party.
Further fueling these accusations are revelations that 206 infrastructure projects valued at MVR 2.7 billion were recently awarded without competitive bidding. Reports indicate that contracts worth nearly MVR one billion went to companies with connections to PNC Members of Parliament, reinforcing claims of favoritism and systemic corruption under the current administration.