President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Thursday morning ratified the fourth amendment to the Penal Code of Maldives (Act no: 9/2014).
The new amendment criminalises offering bribes and details the provisions whereby a person may be held liable for this offence. As per the amendment, offering bribes is classified as a class three felony. The new amendment to the Penal Code also introduces other offences such as, acquiring wealth through illegitimate means, misusing state funds or assets, acting in a manner which gives a direct disadvantage to the state and asserting undue influence on businesses. Details for prosecution under these offences are also included in the amendment.
Once the new amendment to the Penal Code are gazetted, the Prevention and Prohibition of Corruption Act (Act no: 2/2000) will be nullified.
Parliament passed the fourth amendment to the Penal Code on Monday, April 19, 2021, at the 30th sitting of the first session for this year.
Upon ratification, the amendment has now been published in the Government Gazette.