The Policy Secretary at Maldives President's Office Ms Aminath Shauna has become mired with corruption allegations, filed at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Ms Shauna, who holds apparent stakes at a local public relations firm; Atoll Communication came under media and public scrutiny following the MACL-TMA seaplane deal had seemingly gone sour.
Allegations have been made on Ms Shauna, who along with her husband holds stakes at Atoll Communication which is employed by the Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) for public relations consultancy.
It has become evident, Ms Shauna's husband Mohamed Thoriq holds 50% of the firm's shares.
The President's Office Policy Secretary is alleged with sharing inside information with Atoll Communication, by misusing her authority, in order to exploit the trade arrangement between MACL and TMA.
Meanwhile, TMA has fallen into scrutiny after it was suspected the airport operator; MACL (which is a state-owned corporation) had rented out the seaplane terminal below market value.
Ms Shauna's involvement in the scandal, presented by an anonymous individual to the Anti-Corruption Commission, claims her husband's shares at the Atoll Communication is evident of a conflict of interest.
The letter, presented to the commission detailing on the circumstances had further explained Ms Shauna's authority as a policy maker at the President's Office.
In the letter, it was emphasized Ms Shauna's role as a policy secretary will make her privy to the state's policies towards the new seaplane terminal deal with TMA; which according to the contents of the letter, would be used in her favor as inside information for her benefit.
The complaint lodged to the commission also noted that since Mr Mohamed Thoriq, Ms Shauna's husband owned shares of the firm; such critical information will be shared.
The MACL-TMA seaplane terminal deal becomes further mired in conspiracy, over the allegations of a new prospective arrangement between the seaplane operator and Atoll Communication.
It was reported TMA has agreed on paying USD18 million to Atoll Communication, should the seaplane operator receive the new seaplane terminal below its actual market value.
Moreover, the new arrangement would ensure Atoll Communication becomes the premier public relations consultant to TMA following signature on the agreement between the latter and MACL.
Ms Aminath Shauna is suspected of violating the statute number 119 of Maldives Constitution as well as the provisions 13 and 14 of Anti-Corruption Act.
