Author: Minivan News

Government should drop charges against Nasheed: PPM MP Mahloof

The new government should drop criminal charges against former President Mohamed Nasheed for the sake of national stability, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Mahloof has urged, according to local media.

Nasheed was facing controversial the court action ahead of his filing for candidacy in the 2013 presidential elections, which were eventually narrowly won by a coalition headed by PPM candidate Abdulla Yameen. The charges concerned his detention of Chief Criminal Court Judge Abdulla Mohamed during the final days of his presidency in 2012, prior to his ousting by a mutinying defence force.

The charges, which Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) maintained were a politically-motivated attempt to prevent Nasheed contesting the election, led to international scrutiny and criticism over the politicisation of the judicary.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

DRP MP Mausoom appointed GM of Sun Island

Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP) MP Dr Abdulla Mausoom has been appointed General Manager of Sun Island Resort and Spa, a resort owned by Jumhoree Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim.

Gasim’s party allied with the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) which won the recent election.

“Tourism has always been very close at heart. I’ve taken over as the resort’s General Manager yesterday,” Dr Mausoom said, according to Sun Online.

The resort’s previous manager, Mohamed Saeed, was last week appointed Minister of Economic Development.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Sun Island is owned by Ahmed ‘Sun’ Shiyam. Minivan News regrets the error.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

MDP withdraws no confidence motion against Deputy Speaker

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has withdrawn a no confidence motion against Deputy Speaker  and Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Nazim.

The MDP and Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) submitted no confidence motion with 35 signatures in October alleging Nazim was politically biased in carrying out his duties as Deputy Speaker.

Speaking to the press last night, MDP Parliamentary Group’s deputy Leader Ali Waheed said the party had decided to withdraw the motion as the MDP intends to be a responsible opposition party and to ensure calm in the country following the PPM’s win in the November 16 presidential polls.

Meanwhile, the PPM has also submitted a no confidence motion against Speaker Abdulla Shahid. The vote was scheduled for November 20 but has now been delayed.

In November, the MDP voted out then Attorney General Azima Shakoor and has also tabled a no confidence motion against Prosecutor General (PG) Ahmed Muizz.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Parliamentary elections to be held March 22

The Elections Commission (EC) has announced that parliamentary elections will be on March 22, 2014.

The EC also decided not to declare by-elections for three vacant seats due to the proximity of the elections, according to local media.

The current parliament was convened on May 28, 2009 with a majority to the opposition Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP), which had just lost to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the 2008 presidential elections.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Ibrahim Muaz appointed President Yameen’s spokesperson

Ibrahim Muaz has been appointed President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s spokesperson, according to the President’s Office.

Muaz was candidate Yameen’s official spokesperson during the Progressive Party of Maldives’ (PPM’s) presidential campaign.

He previously served as communication director at the Foreign Ministry during former President Dr Mohamed Waheed’s administration, before which he worked at Television Maldives (TVM) and other media outlets.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Gasim elected chair of Budget Review Committee

Jumhoree Party (JP) Leader and MP for Maamigili, Gasim Ibrahim, has been elected chair of the parliament’s Budget Review Committee for the fourth consecutive year.

The 22-member committee comprises of the combined Finance Committee and Economic Affairs Committee.

The business tycoon and former JP presidential candidate was chosen with 12 votes in favour. Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party MP Dr Abdulla Mausoom was elected deputy chair with the same number of votes.

The committee is tasked with reviewing the budget and presenting a report to the People’s Majlis floor by December 1.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

President Yameen dismisses Ports Authority CEO, Financial Controller

President Abdulla Yameen has dismissed the CEO of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), Mohamed Latheef, and the Financial Controller, Mohamed Ahmed, reports local media.

According to reports, reasons for the dismissals were not given, and replacements have yet to be nominated.

The Commissioner General of Customs, Mohamed Aswan, and Managing Director of the State Trading Organisation (STO) have also been dismissed.

According to local media, replacements have not yet been appointed.

While Latheef was appointed MPL CEO by former President Dr Mohamed Waheed, Aswan and Ahmed Mohamed were appointed during the tenure of former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Speaking to press yesterday, President Yameen said he was awaiting nominations from coalition partners to appoint cabinet ministers, senior officials and board members to state-owned enterprises.

The PPM-led coalition that won the presidential election includes the Jumhooree Party (JP) led by business tycoon Gasim Ibrahim, the Maldives Development Alliance led by tourism magnate Ahmed ‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam, the religious conservative Adhaalath Party, former President Mohamed Waheed’s Gaumee Ihthihad Party and a number of smaller parties.

Of the five cabinet ministers appointed so far, Transport Minister Ameen Ibrahim was from the JP.

Yameen meanwhile told reporters that coalition partners should propose “capable and educated persons” who could “produce results.”

“Our party has first shown such persons in the cabinet. So I urge coalition leaders to show such capable, talented and experienced persons of a calibre the public can accept for their slots [in the government],” he said.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Thasmeen resigns as DRP leader

MP for Baa Kendhoo Ahmed Thasmeen Ali has resigned as the leader of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) today.

The former running mate of both former Presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Dr Mohamed Waheed in 2008 and 2013, respectively, backed the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Mohamed Nasheed in this year’s presidential election.

Following his resignation, Thasmen told local media that he believes the development that the public wishes for could only be brought by the MDP.

A DRP council meeting was scheduled for later today to appoint an interim leader. The party’s charter or regulations stipulates that a new leader must be elected within 60 days.

Local media reported that MP ‘Colonel’ Mohamed Nasheed has been nominated as the interim leader.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

STO MD replaced with Defence Minister’s brother

State Trading Organisation (STO) Managing Director Shahid Ali has been dismissed from the post and replaced by Adam Azim, formerly the government-owned company’s General Manager.

Shahid confirmed his dismissal by the incoming administration of President Abdulla Yameen to local media and made parting remarks to his staff today.

The new MD is the brother of President Yameen’s newly reappointed Defence Minister Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)