Author: Minivan News

President appoints Deputy Commissioners of Police and Customs

President Abdulla Yameen has appointed former Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Saudhee as Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The deputy Chief Superintendent at Maldives Customs Services Ismail Abdulla was appointed to the post of Deputy Commissioner of Customs.

Shortly after assuming the presidency, Yameen appointed former Minister of Economic Development Ahmed Mohamed as Commissioner General of Customs and appointed former Deputy Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed as Commissioner of Police.

Meanwhile, President’s Office Spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali told local media President Yameen intends to limit state ministers and deputy ministers at each ministry to two positions each.

The People’s Majlis is expected to approve Yameen’s 15 member cabinet on December 29.

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China to restore Dhiffushi Island School after fire

China’s Ambassador to the Maldives Yu Hongyao has pledged assistance to restore Kaafu Atoll Island Dhiffushi Island School after a fire on Saturday destroyed the school’s offices.

Earlier this week, The President’s Office announced that China will give the Maldives 50 million yuan (US$8.2 million) in grant aid “for the implementation of developmental projects and the advancement of public services.”

According to the President’s Office, Ambassador Yu pledged the assistance during a courtesy call to Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed today.

Yu said Chinese investors had gained confidence in the Maldives due to political stability following the election of the new administration, the PO reports.

Jameel thanked the Chinese government and asked for further Chinese assistance in in alleviating environmental challenges, providing clean drinking water and upgrading health services in the islands.

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Malé City begins storm drain cleanup

The Malé City Council in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and Energy has started a week-long programme – “Open Streets, Clean Malé – to cleanup the city’s storm drains.

The majority of curbside drains are blocked in Malé and the city faces severe flooding during stormy weather.

Work has already commenced on Ameenee Magu and Buruzu Magu in south Malé.

Malé City Mayor ‘Maizan’ Ali Manik said maintaining Malé city’s sewer system has been difficult due to budgetary constraints and because the storm drains are old and damaged.

Speaking to the press, Minister of Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim said the clean up programme is not a sustainable solution and highlighted the need for a longer-term solution.

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Supreme Court on recess until December 15

The Supreme Court, the Civil Court, the Criminal Court and the Family Court have begun a recess period today.

The Supreme Court and Criminal Court will restart trials on December 15, while the Civil Court will restart on December 10. The Family Court will be on recess until December 30.

Even though the superior courts are on recess, trials may be scheduled and rulings issued if necessary. The courts will continue to be open for administrative purposes.

The High Court has said it will not go on recess this December as local council elections are scheduled for January 18.

According to Article 172 of the constitution, individuals may contest any decision of the Election Commission relating to elections at the High Court.

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Police uncover 77.46 grams of narcotics buried on Malé City street

The Maldives Police Services have uncovered 77.46 grams of narcotics buried under paving bricks on Saibani Goalhi in Malé City.

The police blocked the street on a tip off and discovered 30 rubber packets, 77 small rubber packets, a photo film box and two folded cellophane pieces containing narcotics.

A large amount of rubber packets used to pack narcotics were also found in the area, police said.

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Maldives first amusement park opens in Gulhi Falhu

The Maldives’ first amusement park has opened on Malé City’s township island Gulhi Falhu on Friday.

The “Global Amusement Park” is an initiative of the Global Projects Development Company. The company is in charge of developing a high end “Global Green City” in Gulhi Falhu lagoon as an alternative to Malé City.

The amusement park will be open on every Friday and Saturday from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm and a roller coaster ride, bumper car ride, luxury train ride, a merry go round and a chasing car ride.

Entry tickets cost MVR 20 and every ride costs between MVR 10 – 50. Ferry services from Malé City to Gulhi Falhu are free.

Manager of Global Projects Raj Maniyandan told local media the company intends to open a water park on Gulhi Falhu. He also said two beach villas are available for families who wish to stay overnight on the island.

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Alliance francaise to host French film evening

The French film director, William Cally, will present his film, ‘Elie, Blacksmith of Freedom’ tonight as part of a tour organised by the French Embassy, French Institute and Alliance francaise de Male’.

The event will open with an introduction and discussion of Reunion Island by Emmanuelle Boutier, director of Alliance francaise de Male’.

William Cally will then introduce ‘Elie, Blacksmith of Freedom’.

The evening will conclude with a debate on the film and cocktails.

The event will be held at the National Art Gallery, Saturday 30 November, starting at 8:00pm.

Admission is free, though the evening has an age-restriction of 15+.

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Criminal Court open on Saturday to dispense criminal records checks

The Criminal Court is to open during this weekend to provide criminal record checks for those seeking to contest in January’s local council elections.

The Criminal Court is facing an unusual amount of traffic for criminal record and debt record checks with an estimated 4000 candidates contesting the 1091 local council seats.

In 2011, candidates had to sign a declaration stating they had no record of criminal activity or decreed debt. However, several councillors were disqualified from their seats after election and the Elections Commission amended its regulations mandating candidates to submit criminal and debt records with their applications.

Applications are due on December 8 and elections are scheduled for January 18.

The Criminal Court will be open from 9:00 am – 5 pm on Saturday.

Debt and criminal records will be made available on the day of request from the Criminal Court, local media reports.

In addition to the Criminal Court, the Department of Judicial Administration, the Supreme Court and the Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation Services (DPRS) also provides records of criminal activity and debt.

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Cabinet approval scheduled for December 29

Parliamentary approval for President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s 15 ministers will be scheduled for December 29, People’s Majlis Speaker Abdulla Shahid has said.

Shahid appealed to the Majlis’ Government Oversight committee to conclude its report on the proposed cabinet by December 23 in order for the December 29 vote to proceed.

Chair of the Government Oversight Committee MP Ali Waheed said the committee has started the vetting process for ministers and will commence debate on the proposed cabinet on December 15.

Yameen’s 15 member cabinet includes seven incumbents. They are Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad, Minister of Health and Gender Dr Mariyam Shakeela, Minister of Defense and National Security Colonel (Rtd) Mohamed Nazim, Minister of Transport and Communication Ameen Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Adheeb, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr Mohamed Muizzu, and Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party had tabled a no confidence motion against Defense Minister Nazim in the last days of Dr Mohamed Waheed’s presidency.

The new appointments are Umar Naseer as Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aishath Shiham as Minister of Education, Dunya Maumoon as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shainee as Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Mohamed Saeed as Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Maleeh Jamal as Minister of Youth and Sports and Thoriq Ibrahim as Minister of Environment and Energy.

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