President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Citizens' Complaints Bureau will be operational by the end of September.

Speaking at the official ceremony marking the Maldives' 61st Independence Day, President Dr Muizzu said the Government has undertaken several initiatives to build an open and transparent administration. He said engaging directly with the public, responding to their concerns, and addressing complaints are essential elements of good governance and a functioning democracy.

The President said no previous administration had engaged with the public as extensively as the current Government, noting that officials have been meeting citizens through various platforms.

President Dr Muizzu also announced that work to establish the Citizens' Complaints Bureau is nearing completion. He said the bureau is expected to open by the end of September and will provide a mechanism for the public to submit complaints relating to Government institutions.

He said the bureau is intended to help resolve concerns across the Government system by identifying issues and facilitating solutions.

The President also said Government offices have improved their responsiveness to letters and telephone calls. He added that preparations are underway to launch the bureau as a 24-hour service to handle complaints relating to Government institutions.

Complaints submitted to the bureau will be managed through a digital system incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), which will obtain information from the relevant institutions and facilitate faster responses. The bureau will also include a 24-hour call centre as part of its services.