Male’ : The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has announced the appointment of Muhammad Ma’ruf Jameel as its new Managing Director. The decision, made public by the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) earlier today, follows the sudden resignation of Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed last night.
Muhammad Ma’ruf Jameel, an experienced architect and prominent figure in the construction industry, previously served as the Minister of Construction and Public Infrastructure under former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He is widely recognized for his research in the construction sector and his significant contributions to the reclamation and development of Hulhumalé.
The leadership change comes at a challenging time for HDC, as the organization is under scrutiny over alleged irregularities in the Binveriyaa housing scheme. Leaked documents have raised allegations that Fazul Rasheed’s brother, Muhammad Fazeel Rasheed, Deputy Managing Director of the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), received a plot of land under the scheme despite not meeting eligibility requirements. This controversy has led to public accusations of corruption and abuse of power against Fazul Rasheed.
In response to the allegations, the PCB has suspended all members of HDC’s Board of Directors, except for Chairman Ahmed Nasif. The passports of the suspended board members have also been withheld as part of an ongoing investigation into the matter.
Ma’ruf Jameel’s appointment is seen as a pivotal move to restore public trust in HDC and strengthen its governance practices. His extensive background in public infrastructure development and leadership is expected to guide the corporation through this period of heightened scrutiny and drive its future projects with integrity and accountability.
