Former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Imthiyaz Fahmy, commonly known as Inthi, has described the ventilator scandal as a clear example of corruption and theft carried out by the government during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The controversy dates back to 2020, when the Ministry of Health contracted Dubai-based Executors General Trading to procure 75 ventilators for the Maldives amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The total value of the agreement was AED 8.9 million (approximately MVR 37 million), with MVR 34 million reportedly paid upfront.

However, the government failed to receive the ventilators as promised. While a few units were delivered, they were later deemed unusable. The Maldivian government subsequently filed a case against the company at the Dubai Court to recover the funds.

On 7 October 2025, the Dubai Court ruled in favour of the Maldivian government, ordering the recovery of MVR 37 million.

Following the verdict, Inthi took to social media platform X to highlight what he described as the MDP’s involvement in large-scale corruption. He described the ventilator case as a prime example of corruption carried out by the government adding that this has been revealed by the Auditor General’s report and criminal investigations.

The current Government has stated that efforts will continue to ensure the recovery of the funds if they are not received at this stage.

Imthiyaz Fahmy, who left the MDP to join The Democrats during the last parliamentary term, has been an outspoken critic of former President Solih’s administration, particularly over issues of corruption and misuse of public funds.

The MDP has faced widespread criticism over the ventilator scandal, with even some of its members voicing disapproval over the handling of the case.