Author: Minivan News

BML aims to provide basic banking services to all islands by 2017

The Bank of Maldives Pvt Ltd has announced it will provide basic banking services to all inhabited islands in the Maldives by 2017.

Speaking at the national bank’s annual general meeting on May 29, CEO Andrew Healy said these services would include cash deposits, cash withdrawals, transfers and payments.

By December 10, 50 islands that do not have banking services will receive cash withdrawal services. BML intends to install card machines in retail and other outlets on islands.

“Today’s announcement reflects our steadfast commitment to expand banking services to all parts of the country and in particular to reach out to the remote islands. This financial inclusion programme will take time to roll out but 50 islands will benefit this year and we will be in a position to announce more details on these over the next few months,” Healy said.

The bank’s three-year strategy, unveiled at the AGM, said it will focus on financial inclusion, customer service and support for businesses.

BML will introduce a new business banking unit where each business customer is to be assigned a dedicated relationship manager and dedicated counters are to be allocated for business customers.

The bank also plans to launch Islamic banking services by the end of this year.

If the targetted progress is made, BML will be in a position to consider international expansion in 2017, a press release by the bank said.

On May 27, the bank announced customers will no longer have to pay for cash withdrawals from its ATMs. Customers can withdraw MVR 10,000 using the Visa Classic and American Express Green debit cards, and MVR15,000 using the American Express Gold debit cards without the previous MVR2 transaction charge.

BML customers also no longer have to pay for transferring money between different branches or accounts across the country. Previously, a charge of between MVR25 and MVR3,000 was applicable, depending on the size of the transfer.

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MJA cancels executive council vote amidst chaos

The Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) has cancelled a vote to elect members to its governing executive council amid chaotic scenes.

Members disrupted the meeting over the secretariat’s decision to hold an open vote. Journalists called for a secret ballot claiming junior reporters would be compelled to vote for their employers in an open vote.

However, the secretariat decided to go ahead by counting hands in favor, but cancelled the vote when some members refused to back down.

This is the second attempt by the MJA – founded in 2009 – in the past year to elect its governing body.

Journalists also took issue with the absence of their names from the membership list.

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PPM and MDP elect parliamentary group leaders

The Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have elected leaders of their parliamentary groups.

Ruling PPM elected MP for Villimalé constituency Ahmed Nihan in an election held on Monday. MP for Vilifushi Riyaz Rasheed was elected as a deputy. Nihan is now the majority leader as PPM holds a majority in the parliament with 38 MPs.

MP for Hinnavaru constituency Ibrahim ‘Ibu’ Solih was elected uncontested to head the opposition MDP’s parliamentary group in an election on Sunday. He is now the Majlis’ minority leader.

MP for Meedhoo constituency Rozaina Adam was elected deputy PG leader of the 25 member MDP group.

The 14 MP Jumhooree Party (JP) also elected their MP Gasim Ibrahim as parliamentary group last week.

The 18th People’s Majlis convened on May 28.

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Maldives to buy 15 sniffer dogs

Home Minister Umar Naseer has said the Maldives will buy 15 sniffer dogs from the Netherlands to detect drugs brought into the country.

Speaking to news agency Haveeru last week, Naseer said the dogs will cost US$ 80,000. The Ministry of Finance has confirmed it would pay for the dogs, he said.

The Maldives Police Services will train with the dog squad in Kandym,  Sri Lanka.

“After the dog squad is brought in, no vessel can enter the country without attaining a drug clearance. This means that the dogs will go on board the vessel and check every nook and cranny,” he said.

Under President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, sniffer dogs had been leased from the Sri Lankan government.

“This time we are purchasing the dogs. So now no one can claim them back, they will become the state’s property,” he said.

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JSC lawyer to be elected under new regulations

The Attorney General’s Office has compiled new regulations to elect a member to represent lawyers for the ten-member judicial oversight body.

The regulations publicised on Sunday set new qualifications for a lawyer to stand for the Judicial Services Commission (JSC). A lawyer must be above 25 years of age, and must not hold political party membership or a criminal record.

Further, if a lawyer has completed a five year term previously, they will not be eligible to stand again.

The election will be held at the AG office. The office will give ten days notice to all lawyers before elections take place. Polls will be open from 8:30am – 4: 30pm on election day. If the date falls during the month of Ramadan, polls will be open from 9:30am – 3:30pm.

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Maldives to ensure there is no pig DNA in imported Cadbury chocolate

The Maldives Food and Drugs Authority (MFDA) has said that Maldivian authorities are working with the Malaysian Health Ministry to confirm allegations of pig DNA being discovered in two types of Cadbury chocolate sold in Malaysia.

In addition to this, the MFDA is working with the Health Protection Agency to see if these types of Cadbury chocolate have been imported to the Maldives and to confirm whether these chocolates have pig DNA, local media has reported.

“So far there have been rumors about finding pig-related substances from two types of Cadbury chocolate. This has not been confirmed yet. The Islamic Ministry is working with Malaysian authorities to look into it. Further decisions will be made once it is confirmed,” Haveeru quoted an MFDA official as saying.

Citing Malaysia’s Islamic affairs agency, Reuters has reported today that authorities did not find any pig DNA from the chocolate bars in question, contrary to a previous findings.

Other Islamic countries currently testing Cadbury chocolates are Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Both Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut and Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond, produced in Malaysia, were labelled as halal although accusations of them containing pig DNA have been raised.

The two products were earlier recalled from the Malaysia market after traces of pig DNA were found during a routine halal check.

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South Asia Regional Environmental Security Forum begins in Kurumba

The South Asia Regional Environmental Security Forum – held by US Pacific Command in partnership with Maldives National Defence Force – began today at Kurumba resort.

The event – which will continue until Thursday (June 5) – is the fourth of its kind, aiming to develop awareness and partnerships in environmental security throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Representative from both the Maldives government and around the globe will gather to promote regional cooperation on the topics of water security, waste management, resource protection, and energy.

The event will include a tour of nearby Thulusdhoo Island, where attendees will be shown examples of coastal erosion and waste management issues in the Maldives.

“The results of the event will assist participating groups to enhance existing environmental security documents and procedures and develop new ones to adapt to and mitigate climate change,” explained a US embassy press release today.

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“Invisible war” being waged against nationalism and faith, says home minister

An invisible war is being waged against the Maldives’ nationalism, claimed Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer when commemorating Martyr’s Day last Thursday (May 29).

“We are under attack even today, at this very moment, and this minute and second – but in a different way. Today the targets are our thinking, creed, the good views we hold of our nation – the love for the nation, the respect for national history.”

“Today there are great efforts destroy these. This is an invisible war, weapons that cannot be touched,” said Naseer during an event held at the Olympus Theater in Malé.

Martyr’s day has been officially commemorated since 1979, in remembrance of Sultan Ali VI – commonly known as Ali Rasgefaanu – who is said to have died fighting Portuguese invaders in 1558.

The occasion was also observed by the police service, with the controversial Sheikh Adam Shameem Ibrahim advising officers of the importance of martyrdom in Islam.

Additionally, Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon warned of attempts by outside actors to enslave the nations politically and economically.

Beware of hidden enemies: home minister

The four pillars on which the Maldives stands are the Dhivehi language, Islam, the Dhivehi culture, and independence said the home minister.

Naseer stated that the foundation of Maldivian culture was Islam alongside social values such as respecting elders and women, and showing kindness towards one another.

Naseer requested people be vigilant of anyone who “casts a gaze filled with hatred” towards national properties, land, religion, and peace.

“Today we will have to face such experiences within the Maldives and from abroad. This is today’s war. You will not be martyred in this war, instead you will face death. Thinking and ideologies will be corrupted. The result would be unhappiness in both worlds,” said Naseer.

The home minister’s sentiments were also reflected in Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon’s statements on the occasion.

Recalling the sacrifices of various national heroes Dunya said that today’s globalised attacks were not waged with guns.

“In today’s world, most of the time we are uncertain about how or from where the enemies attack [us]. Attacks indented to enslave [us] come in many different forms,” said Dunya.

“In today’s world, instead of colonisation countries are being enslaved economically and politically.”

Asking whether a nation dependent on others for its basic needs can be considered independent, Dunya noted the importance of an economically independent Maldives that can protect its religion and identity.

Police commemoration

The Maldives Police Service also held a special parade at Iskandar Koshi on Thursday in order to mark the day.

Chief Guest at the ceremony, attended by Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed and Deputy Commissioner of Police Ahmed Saudi, was the controversial preacher Sheikh Adam Shameem Ibrahim.

Addressing the police parade, Sheikh Shameem said police officers should always posses the will to be martyred in defending the people and the nation.

Remarking that the country was passed onto the present generation with the hard work of Mujahidin who were martyred in defending Islam and the nation, the sheikh explained the high regard for martyrdom in Islam.

Shameem has recently prayed for the acceptance of the martyrdom of Maldivians killed in the Syrian civil war, stating that anyone who fights to glorify Islam against disbelievers are Mujahideen (Holy warriors).

He also said on his Facebook page that Nusayri (Shiah Muslims) of Syria are disbelievers “worse than Christians and Jews”.

Sheikh Shameem first came to public attention following his ‘mega-lecture’ ‘Andalus‘, during the 2013 presidential elections.

Live broadcasts of this lecture were interrupted by authorities for violating state broadcaster’s guideline, while the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party condemned the lecture accusing Shameem of inciting hatred in order to sway the electorate.

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39-year-old arrested in Raa atoll for alleged exploitation of a minor

Police have arrested a 39-year-old Male in Raa atoll on suspicions of sexually exploiting a 14-year-old girl.

The man, from Alifushi Island, was detained yesterday (May 31) and will be remanded in custody for 15 days, police have revealed.

A growing number of child abuse cases have been reported to police in recent weeks, with the Human Rights Commission calling for greater awareness raising and legal protection for children.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Gender has explained that cultural and jurisdictional issues were to blame for the failure to compile a legally mandated registry of child abusers.

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