Author: Ahmed Naish

Parliament cancelled after MPs clash on decentralisation bill

Parliament was cancelled barely an hour into today’s sitting after MPs clashed over the committee report on the decentralisation bill proposed by the government, leading to pandemonium and disorder in the chamber.

MPs of the ruling Maldiivan Democratic Party (MDP) accused the opposition-dominated committee of coming under external influences and violating Majlis rules of procedure in completing its review, calling on the speaker to send the bill back to committee.

The opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) majority on the committee passed an amendment to scrap provinces in the legislation.

DRP MPs accused the MDP of failing to respect democracy and the will of the majority and attempting to block local council elections, which could only take place when the legislation was passed.

“I would like to first inform the honourable members that the Majlis secretariat received 765 amendments for this agenda item at 2.30pm yesterday,” said Speaker Abdullah Shahid, beginning the third and final reading of the bill.

Shahid urged MPs to merge similar amendments to save time and have unofficial discussions among political parties to speed up the process.

Point of order

In a series of points of order that followed, Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed reminded MPs that the constitutional deadline for local elections had elapsed while the legislation was still pending.

Hulhu-Henveiru MP “Reeko” Moosa Manik, parliamentary group leader of the MDP, claimed the committee report “came from outside”.

“Proposing amendments to the decentralisation bill in the thousands shows they do not accept democracy,” responded Thohdhoo MP Ali Waheed. “We have no problem spending the whole day here – we’ll be here.”

Dhidhoo MP Ahmed Sameer of the MDP argued the committee did not follow the rules of procedure as all of the amendments were made by the DRP.

Presenting the report, Hanimaadhoo MP Mohamed Mujthaz of the DRP, chairman of the committee, said the committee faced many obstacles in reviewing the legislation due to serious disagreements between MDP and DRP MPs.

The bill was submitted by the government in June.

“Among the views expressed by members at the Majlis, the most disputed issue was provinces or dividing administrative areas into provinces,” he said.

A vote at the committee to scrap provinces in the legislation was passed with 6 to 5 in favour, Mujthaz said.

Raising further points of order, MDP MPs attacked the committee for changing the “safari vessel” presented by the government into “a bokkura (dinghy)”.

Hulhumeedhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb said the report should be sent back as the chairman had admitted the amendments were made by DRP instead of reflecting the views of MPs as required by the rules.

Meanwhile, Sameer further argued the amendments were in violations of the rules as changes could not be made to negate the purpose of the legislation.

DRP MPs defended the report, attacking the MDP for “failing to digest” whenever things did not go their way.

Ali Waheed accused the MDP of blocking the legislation to prolong the tenure of its “unelected” councillors.

Cancellation

After 30 minutes of points of order, Shahid said he would not allow any more in the interest of speeding up the proceedings.

But, the first MP to present amendments, Maavashu MP Abdul Azeez Jamal Abubakuru, was shouted down by MDP MPs insisting on points of order.

“I condemn these efforts against democracy at a time when we’re trying to consolidate it,” Abdul Azeez said over the din.

When Shahid relented and allowed points of order, Mid-Fuahmulah MP Shifaq Mufeed objected to the committee not including reservations of MDP MPs.

The sitting became heated when Mujthaz defended the committee report; MPs sprang out of their seats and acrimonious arguments broke out.

After his repeated appeals for MPs to take their seats went unheeded, the speaker canceled the sitting.

The sitting has been pushed back to 8.30pm tonight, when MPs will begin proposing the 765 amendments.

The 11-member ad hoc committee comprised of Moosa Manik, Bilendhoo MP Ahmed Hamza, Henveiru South MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor and Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Aslam of the MDP;  Mohamed Mujthaz, Mid-Henveiru MP Ali Azim, Fonadhoo MP Ali Saleem, Thohdhoo MP Ali Waheed and Thulusdhoo MP Rozaina Adam from the DRP; and independents Eydhafushi MP Ahmed “Redwave” Saleem and Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir.

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Fifty inmates transferred to house arrest

More than fifty inmates from Maafushi jail serving sentences for the possession of less than three grams of drugs have been transferred to house arrest under a rehabilitation programme, the Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation (DPRS) has said.

Moosa Azim, deputy superintendent of the jail, told Minivan News both the transferred inmates and their families have signed a declaration agreeing to regular urine tests and monitoring to ensure they remain under house arrest.

“They have been transferred under a rehabilitation programme as our regulations allow it for inmates sentenced for possession of less than three grams,” he said.

Mohamed Zuhair, president’s office press secretary, said the transfer of inmates was originally targeted for 10 December, World Human Rights Day.

“But it was delayed due to legal issues and because it requires inter-sectoral cooperation, as many institutions such as the DPRS and parole board are involved,” he said.

Zuhair said the president was concerned that inmates eligible for release have not been “given relief” one year into the new government.

Shortly after coming to power, the new government released 119 inmates to house arrest under the parole system.

Vice-President Dr Mohamed Waheed was put in charge of a committee to compile a list of inmates eligible for release.

Dr Waheed visited Maafushi jail as well as the temporary jail in Addu to speak to inmates and learn their concerns, Zuhair said.

The committee will oversee the establishment of a mechanism to ensure monitored telephone calls from inmates to their families, he said.

The committee reviewed the cases of inmates based on certain categories, Zuhair explained, such as inmates eligible for transfer to house arrest or rehabilitation centres and those sentenced under “old definitions” of the old constitution, which considered the possession of one gram to be ‘dealing’.

Inmates who spoke to Minivan News today said DPRS officers came with a handwritten list of 60 people on Friday and “gave all of them haircuts”.

One inmate said they were informed that there was not enough space in the rehabilitation centres and the programme would be conducted in Male’.

After contacting the inmates’ families, both were made to sign a declaration for the release.

But, they said, some inmates who were on the list were not taken, including two who were sentenced for possession of more than three grams.

“They told me there was no space on the dhoni (boat) and I can go tomorrow,” said one inmate. “But the next day, when my family called them, they said there was a slight problem.”

He claimed several inmates were left back at Maafushi after signing the agreement.

“My family was very disappointed,” he said. “I felt very sad because we already signed it and I was ready to leave.”

Both Zuhair and Azim said the list prepared by the president’s office was “not final” and information was still being verified.

A bill on clemency and commuting sentences proposed by the government is on the agenda tomorrow for the third and final reading.

Zuhair said the president’s office was doing what it could for inmates before the legislation was passed, while more would be released in the future.

“The absence of laws is no reason not to give everyone their legal rights,” he said.

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Crime update: police close four child abuse cases

Police have arrested four men suspected of sexually abusing seven under-age children in four separate cases.

Mohamed Nafiz Jamal, 41, Gaaf Dhaal Fiyoree Zameen, was taken into police custody on 9 September on suspicion of abusing two ten-year-old girls.

A 26-year-old Bangladeshi man was arrested in Seenu Feydhoo for allegedly abusing a sleeping four-year-old girl.

In the third case, Arjan Varadharajee, 24, an Indian citizen, was arrested for allegedly abusing a 13-year-old girl.

Lastly, a Bangladeshi man was arrested for exposing his genitalia to three under-aged girls.

Police said all four cases have been closed and will soon be sent to the prosecutor general’s office.

Police also found a Bangladeshi man with a ten-year-old girl in a van at the artificial beach area last week. He has since been released due to lack of incriminating evidence.

At a press conference on Thursday, Inspector Mirufath Faiz, head of the family and child protection unit, said police have noted the increasing number of expatriates involved in child sexual abuse, and urged parents to be more alert to the whereabouts of their children.

“The child’s guardians need to take some responsibility here when a strange Bangladeshi man is able to take a ten-year-old girl at 10.30pm at night,” she said.

Police had not received any reports that the ten-year-old girl was missing when they found her in a van with the Bangladeshi.

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Mid-term budget for 2010 passed

Parliament has passed a Rf12.7 billion (US$988 million) mid-term budget for 2010, seven per cent higher than the budget proposed by the government.

With the amendments made by the budget committee, additional funds will be allocated to restore civil servants’ salaries to their former levels and increase the budgets of independent institutions.

In his statement to parliament following voting on amendments, Finance Minister Ali Hashim said he fulfiled his legal duty by specifying how the deficit would be plugged in the Rf11.9 billion (US$926 million) budget originally submitted last month.

“But, since the honourable Majlis has so far not shown how the amounts it has added will be financed, I request that you state this before passing the budget,” he said, adding he could not bear responsibility for the economic consequences of an unmanageable deficit.

With the injection of over Rf800 million (US$62.2 million) to the budget by parliament, the deficit will grow to Rf5.4 billion (US$420 million), up from Rf4.6 billion (US$357 million).

Hashim warned that the budget deficit would exceed the limits acceptable to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has pledged US$92.5 million in financial assistance.

“This will create difficulties in obtaining the assistance pledged by the IMF, World Bank and the Asian Development Bank,” he said. “Moreover, if we move away from the economic principles acceptable to the IMF, it will become difficult to secure assistance from other financial institutions.”

Amendments

A total of 15 amendments were passed, including increasing subsidies for fishermen by Rf100 million and Rf50 million for farmers, requiring the government to submit an audit report of the National Social Protection Agency by March and another report providing details of the public sector investment programme (PSIP) projects by February.

Moreover, the projects will be subject to parliamentary approval, while the government will be required to submit a report on how it intends to solve disembarking difficulties in all inhabited islands by March.

Among the other amendments were reallocating Rf10 million out of a Rf100 education ministry budget item – earmarked for assistance for students’ exam fees – to build schools in the atolls; and increasing annual state benefits to people who have memorised the Quran from Rf500 to Rf2,000.

The most contentious amendment passed today was proposed by Inguraidhoo MP Hamdhoon Hameed to require parliamentary approval for projects under the public-private partnerships (PPP).

Under another amendment, the finance ministry has to settle unpaid electricity bills of government offices in the islands by February out of its contingency budget.

Fiscal framework

In his statement, the finance minister urged MPs to expedite the passage of the taxation legislation as it was crucial for generating revenue in a sustainable way.

“If the amounts proposed to increase the budgets of independent institutions are included, I believe expenditure has to be reduced in other areas of the state budget,” he said, adding it would otherwise lead to further growth of the budget deficit.

Hashim said the government was planning to make significant changes to the fiscal framework from 2011 onwards, such as setting a percentage for the budgets of institutions and replacing line item budgets with a programme budget.

PSIP vs PPP

It was not possible to include more projects in the public sector investment programme (PSIP) while maintaining the deficit at a rate acceptable to international organisations, Hashim said.

But, he added, some investments, such as a new jail, were included in the PSIP.

On the pay cuts for civil servants, Hashim said the government agreed to restore salaries to former levels once revenue reaches Rf7 billion.

The finance ministry supports restoring civil servants’ salaries and discussions will take place with the Civil Service Commission, he said.

He added the pay cuts were necessary after projected revenue for 2009 did not materialise due to the impact of the global recession on the Maldivian economy.

Printing money to plug the ballooning deficit, he continued, has led to serious adverse effects on the domestic economy.

On the Rf4 million in subsidies for private media recommended by the committee, Hashim said he believed the corporatised Maldivian National Broadcasting Corporation (MNCB) should be eligible as it would no longer receive state subsidies.

During the debate today, MPs of the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party-People’s Alliance criticised the government for reducing almost Rf1 billion from expenditure on education and healthcare as well as for the relatively small amount designated for PSIP.

Defending the budget, MPs of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party reiterated the government’s policy of carrying out development projects under public-private partnerships, arguing that unsustainable deficit spending for the PSIP had not delivered infrastructure for the islands.

MDP MPs criticised the budget committee for not including the “professional opinion” on the budget by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), which acknowledged that it was formulated to curb inflation and pay down the large government debt.

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Committee recommends 7 per cent increase to budget

The parliamentary committee selected to review the Rf11.9 billion ($US926 million) mid-term budget for 2010 has recommended increasing its size by seven per cent to Rf12.6 billion ($US1 billion)

Presenting the committee report last night Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim, chairman of the 15-member ad hoc committee, said its tasks were divided to focus on government revenue, expenditure, the public sector investment programme (PSIP), civil servants’ pay and budgets of independent institutions.

“The policy followed by the budget committee was that the government has submitted the budget the way that they want, so we do not want to make any changes to the budgets of any government institutions,” he said. “The reason is because the government should have the right to govern in accordance with their policies.”

Independent institutions

But, he added, in their meetings the committee learned that independent institutions did not believe they had “any financial independence” as they required approval for expenditure from the finance ministry.

Furthermore, the committee was informed that the funds allocated in the budget would not be enough to pay wages for the employees of independent institutions next year.

“When they are summoned to Majlis for not fulfilling their legal responsibilities, they will say you didn’t even give us a budget,” he said.

The committee therefore recommended an increase of Rf166 million (US$13 million) for the budgets of independent institutions, with Rf142million  (US$11 million) of it to be spent on salaries and allowances.

Of the Rf166 million, he said, Rf105 million (US$8 million) will go to the judiciary and the committee recommended allocating Rf15 million (US$1.6 million) from the PSIP budget to build a judicial complex for the department of judicial administration.

Civil servants

The committee further recommended an injection of Rf617.6 million (US$48 million) to the budget to restore civil servants’ salaries to their former levels.

In its negotiations with the Civil Service Commission before pay cuts were enforced in October, the government agreed to restore salaries once its revenue exceeded Rf7 billion (US$545 million).

Nazim said the finance ministry informed the committee that revenue will reach Rf7.3 billion next year.

Of the total government expenditure, 70 per cent was recurrent expenditure and 46 per cent was expenditure on salaries for employees.

“The ministry of finance and treasury revealed that salaries for state employees were not budgeted based on the number of state employees,” he said. “They said the finance ministry does not yet know the correct number of state employees. The reason is that an accurate database containing accurate information of employees receiving salaries from the government has not been established.”

Revenue

“The members decided that they support the privatisation policy, but the committee believes the government has not pursued it in the best way,” he said, adding MPs criticised the sale of the majority stake in Dhiraagu, the government telecommunication company.

While committee members expressed doubt that revenue could be generated from taxation as the necessary legislation had not been passed, Nazim said the committee recommended expediting the passage of legislation on levying GST (goods and services tax) on the tourism industry.

The government proposed a bill on GST to parliament last week.

But, the report states, MPs felt Rf300 million (US$23 million) in revenue from taxing corporate profits was unlikely to materialise in 2010 as administrative matters had to be worked out after the bills were passed.

The third and final readings of the corporate tax bill and tax administration bill has been tabled in the agenda for 28 December.

Expenditure

Nazim said the committee noted that expenditure on payment of loans was higher than previous years as a schedule had been formulated to repay government debt.

While Rf113 million (US$9 million) was allocated for reducing the cost of goods and services, he said, details of this item was not provided.

The committee took note of a significant decline in expenditure on education and health, said Nazim, with a decrease of Rf400 million (US$31 million) and Rf700 million (US$54 million) respectively.

Moreover, the funds designated for economic development projects was only 7.9 per cent of the total budget.

The committee recommended the inclusion of Rf50 million for fishermen and Rf4 million for private media as subsidies in the budget.

If the committee’s recommendations are passed, over Rf800 million will be added to the budget.

Among a further 17 recommendations by the committee were requiring the government to submit a report to parliament in June containing details of the projects to be carried out under PSIP.

Moreover, the government should submit details of its public private partnership (PPP) projects every six months.

Following voting on the amendments recommended by the committee and proposed by MPs during the final debate, the budget will be put for a vote tonight.

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Parliamentary committee recommends private media subsidies

The parliamentary committee reviewing the mid-term budget for 2010 has voted to recommend an amendment to include Rf6 million in subsidies for private media.

The proposed amendment was made by the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) to recommend the inclusion of subsidies for private broadcasters and daily newspapers in the budget in the committee report.

Speaking to Minivan News today, Gemanafushi MP Ilham Ahmed of the DRP said the designated amount might not be ideal but was adequate under present economic circumstances.

Ilham said he had “no doubt” the budget will be passed with the amendment when the committee presents its report to parliament this week.

“I believe it will pass with a large majority,” he said. “I don’t think independent members would want to see private media embalmed and buried in its infancy.”

Ilham accused MPs of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) of opposing the subsidies as “the present government does not want to develop private media”.

He added broadcasters and newspapers critical of the administration faced pressure and restrictions from the government.

At the committee meeting, said Ilham, MDP MP Ahmed Hamza proposed an amendment to give Rf1 to private media.

The MP for Bilendhoo told Minivan News today he did not believe private media should be given government subsidies while small businesses and fishermen were facing serious difficulties in paying back loans.

“Most of the private media are well off,” he said, adding he proposed the Rf1 as annual subsidies as a “symbolic” gesture because the chairman of the committee, Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim, asked for a vote on the issue without determining an amount.

But, said Hamza, he was speaking in his individual capacity at the meeting and as the main parties have agreed in principle to the subsidy, he expected the amendment to be passed.

Last week, the Maldives Journalist Association sent a letter to parliament calling for the allocation of subsidies to the media in next year’s budget.

The association urged MPs to authorise the subsidies in the same principle as it was given to political parties.

Ilham said the Rf6 million decide upon by the committee was 50 per cent of the assistance given to political parties.

The committee decided the subsidies will be granted to television and radio stations as well as daily newspapers, but not to online news outlets or weekly magazines.

Ahmed ‘Hiriga’ Zahir, president of the MJA and editor of daily newspaper Haveeru, said he welcomed the committee’s decision.

While Ilham said the committee has not worked out the details of the subsidy, Hiriga said he anticipated that distribution could be a problem.

At a time when private media was operating under serious financial difficulties, the subsidy will be of valuable assistance, he said.

“Initially I think this is a good amount, especially with the government facing budget constraints,” he said.

But, with the overhead cost of operating a newspaper or television station upwards of Rf1 million, the subsidy was “proportionately small”.

“But at such a difficult time, even a small assistance will help cover costs such as rent,” he said.

Hiriga said he did not think a profitable media outlet with economies of scale was possible given the small market in the Maldives.

“Especially with the high cost of rent and electricity, I don’t think a full-fledged operation is possible without subsidies,” he said.

Several daily newspapers were operating at a loss with just “one or two staff”, he said, as a result of not being able to pay for enough journalists.

The MJA president said he expected the budget to be passed with the amendment as it was not a partisan issue and he believed all MPs understood the importance of the media. “So I think it will get enough support and it will be passed.”

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New regulations will defend Islam in the Maldives, says Islamic Ministry

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs said draft regulations under the Religious Unity Act will incorporate recommendations by Jamiyathul Salaf to “protect and defend Islam in an Islamic state like the Maldives”.

In a letter sent to the Islamic association yesterday, the ministry said recommendations made by Salaf earlier this month were already included in the regulations currently being reviewed by the attorney general’s office.

“The purpose of the regulations that have been drafted is to protect the country and Maldivian society from brutal and harsh practices, divisions and antagonism in the name of Islam and from practices that contradict Islam and Islamic culture,” it reads.

The 11 recommendations made by Salaf included removing anything that conflicts with Islam from the education curriculum or subject syllabuses, making it an offence to spread other religions and openly sell or possess any items that symbolise religious holidays of other religions, and specifying measures to be taken against expatriate teachers found to be promoting other religions or inciting hatred of Islam among students.

Moreover, the proposed regulations should empower the authorities to check printing presses and bookshops for material in conflict with Islam, and make it an offence to publish such opinions or views in the media.

Salaf also recommended obligating non-Muslim visitors to inhabited islands to adhere to a code of dress and conduct appropriate to an Islamic environment.

Furthermore, the regulations should ensure that photos and videos used in advertisements do not clash with Islamic codes of behaviour and make it illegal to introduce elements of foreign cultures that conflict with Islam.

Salaf’s recommendations further call for specifying penalties for those who openly “challenge or defy” God, his Prophet or Islamic shariah, and make it an offence to disrespect the Prophet or his companions.

Lastly, Salaf recommends the creation of a council to take measures against people who issue religious fatwas (edicts or decrees) without the requisite education or learning.

Unless these recommendations are incorporated in the regulations, Salaf’s letter states, it would be “meaningless” and could “open doors” to other religions and cultures.

Salaf claimed action was not taken against Christian missionaries under the old regulations, and were instead used to “punish, jail and torture” Maldivians who “loved Islam and tried to find the right path”.

The letter goes on to recommend that the proposed rules are put up for a public discussion among religious scholars.

In response the letter from the Islamic Ministry, signed by State Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, states that the president’s office, Maldives Police Service and experienced religious scholars were consulted during the drafting process, which spanned six months.

The letter goes on to say the ministry regrets that Salaf has been criticising the ministry and attempting to “mislead the public” about its policies instead of offering either assistance or constructive help.

Moreover, it reads, the ministry regrets that Salaf’s president Abdullah bin Ibrahim Mohamed refused an invitation to join the Fiqh academy or help draft Friday sermons.

“But ultimately, even if you do it from afar, we believe sharing such counsel is a good step for the future and we are grateful for it,” it reads.

Salaf responded to the letter today, thanking the ministry for assuring the association that its recommendations were already in the regulations.

“What remains now is the wait for the regulations to become enforced,” Salaf replied.

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Legislation passed for special assistance for the disabled

Parliament today passed legislation to provide financial assistance and protect the rights of people with disabilities.

Of the 53 MPs in attendance, 52 voted to pass the bill, while one abstained.

Presenting the committee report, Fuahmulah South MP Ahmed Maseeh Mohamed, said a bill proposed by the government in July to protect the rights of the disabled was combined with a bill submitted by Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed on providing monetary assistance to people with disabilities.

A sub-committee selected to review the legislation consulted with the Maldivian Thalassemia Association, Care Society and senior officials of the ministry of health as well as the attorney general’s office.

Once ratified, a council will be formed and entrusted with compiling a national database on the disabled, protecting the rights of the disabled, overseeing monitoring centres, formulating guidelines for their operation, addressing complaints and compiling an annual report.

The government will provide financial assistance of a minimum of Rf2,000 (US$155) a month for disabled persons.

The law states that the disabled should be given special protection in work places and cannot be discriminated against in the provision of employment.

It further calls for the establishment of a special educational centre for the disabled and for the government to provide free education for disabled persons up to the age of 18.

All government schools will be required to establish facilities for the disabled and no one shall be denied an education due to a disability.

Persons found guilty of harassing or mocking disabled persons are liable to be fined between Rf5,000 (US$389) to Rf10,000 (US$778).

Further, public places, such as supermarkets and parks, are required to have facilities such as ramps to enable access for disabled people.

Maldivian citizens with disabilities are among the most marginalised people in society. A study conducted in 2008 found that 25 per cent of children with disabilities in Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaal never left their homes.

The bill was passed today with three amendments proposed by Kelaa MP Abdullah Mausoom of the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP).

Among the amendments were making people with disabilities on the national registry eligible for the monthly benefits without evaluating the extent of their disabilities.

Mausoom’s most contentious amendment was to make children with thalassemia eligible for the monthly benefits.

During the debate on the two bills, several MPs supported providing financial benefits to families with thalassemia children.

“Parents will have the option of not including their children on the list or registry,” said Mausoom.

The amendment was passed with 35 in favour, two against and 19 abstentions.

During the final debate before the vote, MPs on the committee said the thalassemia association objected to including thalassemia patients in a bill for persons with disabilities.

Maseeh, chairman of the committee, said the bill was based on article 35(b), which states “disadvantaged people are entitled to protection and special assistance from the family, the community and the state”.

He added the bill clearly specified people with disabilities in terms of psychological and physical disabilities who face difficulties in society.

“The bill is formulated to provide financial and special assistance to people with disabilities,” he said. “That is why the Maldivian Thalassemia Association said they do not want children with thalassemia to be given that label.”

Defending his amendment, Mausoom said the purpose of the legislation was providing “special assistance”, which includes families facing financial burdens to treat their children with thalassemia.

Thulusdhoo MP Rozaina Adam said the title of the legislation would not matter to families of children with thalassemia.

Most MPs spoke of the importance of allocating funds for the financial benefits in next year’s budget to ensure that the laws are enforced.

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Sorcerer suspected of using magic on school girls

Parents on the island of Maamendhoo in Laamu atoll have accused an islander of practicing sorcery on school girls to induce fainting spells and hysteria.

Speaking to Minivan News, the parents said girls in grades nine and 10 began experiencing problems after a game of bashi earlier this year.

“Our children haven’t been able to study ever since,” said a father of two girls in the island school. “They suffer aches all over their body and they faint and have to be carried home.”

He added that some parents have transferred their children to the school in nearby Maavah, while the lives of his own daughters had been “destroyed”.

Five or six girls were believed to have been affected, he said, and often had to be carried by ambulance to the health centre after fainting in class.

In May, he continued, the parents decided that a man from Thaa atoll Thimarafushi, married to a woman living in Maamendhoo, was responsible for the trouble.

The man was taken into custody and investigated after the parents lodged complaints with police. A police media spokesperson confirmed that police had investigated a sorcery case in Maamendhoo.

The father said police have since informed the parents that the case has been sent to the prosecutor general’s office.

Apart from fainting spells, he said, his daughters went into trances, became hysterical and “talked gibberish”.

The mother of a 16-year-old girl said she had to take her daughter home from school almost every day after she started fainting.

“Parents are afraid to send their children to school now,” she said.

Both parents said all the girls had been tested at the regional hospital in Gan as well as hospitals in Male’, but the doctors said there was nothing wrong with them.

“I don’t believe it can be anything other than fanditha,” said the father.

He said the parents discovered who was responsible after the alleged fanditha man (sorcerer) offered to cure the girls.

“He came to our house and said I can cure them, it’s no problem,” he said, adding the man concocted a drink with zamzam water and a variety of flowers.

When he confronted the fanditha man after growing suspicious of his proffered cures, he said, the man admitted to practicing sorcery on the girls.

“He said to me there’s nothing I can do to stop him and that he’ll do whatever he likes,” he said.

The parents also accused the island authorities of failing to help them cure their children.

Maamendhoo councilor Abubakuru Hussein said the authorities had done everything they could to provide assistance, including taking the girls to hospital and covering the travel expenses of an investigations team from the education ministry.

The team, consisting of a counselor and a religious scholar, determined that the girls were “faking it” to avoid studying, noting that all the girls involved were poor students.

“I don’t believe he knows the kind of fanditha to do this to so many girls,” Abubakuru said.

The councilor speculated that a likelier explanation for the fainting was the smell of chemicals emanating from a fibre factory near the school.

“One parent is working tirelessly to force the [fanditha] man out,” he said. “I have been telling him we don’t have the authority to search people for talismans.”

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