Author: Minivan News

MDP MP Ali Waheed summoned to police

Police have summoned Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Deputy Leader of Parliamentary Group and MP Ali Waheed for questioning over a corruption case involving his mother bought a house in Hulhumale’ for MVR7.9 million.

Both police, and Ali Waheed himself, confirmed with local media that he was summoned to police last night (14 September) but police declined to provide further information.

Ali Waheed has told the local newspapers that he had not been insincere to the money of citizens and he denied the allegations against him.

On February 20, 2013, police declared they were investigating a corruption case involving Ali Waheed in which his mother purchased a land in Male’ for MVR 7.938 million (US$514,000) in October 2011.

At the time, President of the ACC Hassan Luthfee confirmed the institution was also investigating a case concerning the Thoddoo MP.

“We have earlier received complaints regarding the MP taking bribes following his defection from the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) to the MDP. There were also claims that he utilised the money he received as bribes to buy a house. We are investigating the matter,” Luthfee said.

In May 2011, Ali Waheed switched sides from DRP to MDP claiming a lack of internal democracy within his former party.

In August 2011, Ali Waheed won a beachfront house for MVR4.6 million (US$300,000), bidding MVR3,020 per square foot. At the same time, Ali Waheed’s wife also won a house from the 36 beachfront residential plots on Hulhumale, bidding Rf 3,020 per square foot, for Rf 4,749,651 (US$310,000).

Waheed and his wife were the third highest bidders for the property, under the Hulhulmale Development Corporation’s (HDC) housing programme.

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Court extends detention of two arrested for printing ballot papers

The Criminal Court has extended the detention period of two persons arrested for allegedly printing ballot papers in Kulhudhufushi.

According to local newspapers, the two suspects were brought to Male’ when the Kulhudhufushi Magistrate Court extended their detention period to three days.

They were taken to the Criminal Court last night (14 September) as the three day period was about to expire.

At the time of the arrest on September 12 , an island council member of Kulhudhufushi, who spoke to Minivan News on condition of anonymity, said the printed ballot papers in question were bigger than the actual ballot papers and were also laminated.

“I heard they were printed by some pro-Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters to make people aware of what the ballot papers would look like,” he said.

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Dr Mariyam Shakeela appointed Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs

President Dr Mohamed Waheed on Thursday (September 12) appointed Environment Minister Dr Mariyam Shakeela as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Dr Shakeela will be replacing Education Minister Dr Asim Ahmed in the role, which was left vacant following the death of Dr Abdul Samad Abdulla late last month.

According to the President’s Office, the government also announced the dismissal of Special Envoy of the President Adam Maniku on Thursday. No reason was given for the decision.

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National Gallery hosts ‘Psykura’ art exhibition

The Maldives National Art Gallery has this week hosted the Psykura art exhibition, showcasing the work of local artists. The exhibition was staged by Maldivian Psychedelic Arts and The Underground Movement, in association with Location Maldives.

The exhibition, open since Wednesday (September 11) seeks to educate and inspire its visitors to understand the value of freedom of expression.

“Besides multiple meanings of the word Psykura, it is meant to define the creative impulses of our psyche that bubbles and steams by the influence of the environment or the society. This natural need to express is via art. The universal language that transcends spoken language or where you are from,” the event’s organisers have explained.

“Freedom of creative expression must not be restricted if we are to prosper as a nation. Maldives needs to recognize the creative potential of its people by offering them the opportunities in order to increase local productivity.”

The exhibition will close this evening, with a live performance by Mariyam Athif at 7pm tonight (September 14).

See pictures of the exhibition here.

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Former President assures “no grudges” against police and military

Former President Nasheed has offered assurances to police and military officers that he bears no grudges, rancour or ill will towards them, and would not pursue any form of retribution should he be elected on September 28.

The former President, who stepped down amid a police and military mutiny on 7 February 2012, has previously sent letters addressed to members of the security forces containing a similar pledge.

Speaking at a jagaha (campaign hub) near the Bandeyri Koshi in Male’, where a number of military families reside, former President Nasheed said the MDP’s objective was to ensure that the police and military become professional institutions.

The MDP government brought a number of changes to the functioning of the police and MNDF, Nasheed said, which were accepted by senior officers as the reforms have not been reversed or undone.

Nasheed noted that almost all senior officers under former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom remained in the service following the 2008 transfer of power.

Retired officers should be able to live with respect and dignity after serving with pride, Nasheed continued.

Even current Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim, a former colonel, was allowed to retire in lieu of an ignominious sacking, he added.

Nasheed said 90 percent of the military were given promotions while he was commander-in-chief, in contrast to only senior officers receiving promotions under the current administration.

A number of police officers awarded flats had complained about unaffordable down payments, Nasheed said, noting that the MDP’s policy was to ensure that a citizen would not have to spend more than 20 percent of his or her salary on rent or mortgage payments.

Nasheed pledged to build flats in the Bandeyri Koshi area for police and military officers, prioritising families already residing in homes in the reclaimed area of Male’.

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President Waheed meets US Ambassador Sison

President Dr Mohamed Waheed met with Ambassador of the United States accredited to the Maldives Michele J. Sison in Male’ yesterday (September 11).

According to the President’s Office, Ambassador Sison discussed the election held on September 7, as well as the upcoming run-off vote scheduled for September 28, which has been required after no single candidate was able to receive 51 percent of the ballots cast.

President Waheed added that he remained committed to ensuring stability and calm in the country as the election process continued.

Meanwhile, Sison stated that with independent observers having provided positive feedback on the first round election, she requested the same level of stability for the second round of voting.

The US ambassador also met yesterday with former President Mohamed Nasheed, who will contest the run-off poll as the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate against MP Abdulla Yameen of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

During the meeting, Nasheed and the US ambassador discussed the outcome of last Saturday’s presidential election and the scheduled run-off contest scheduled for September 28.

Nasheed also expressed concern over current Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz, who was found guilty of posting a politicised tweet on social media by the Police Integrity Commission.

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Three Maldivian Girl Guides awarded organisation’s highest national award

Three Maldivian Girl Guides have this week been presented with the organisation’s highest national award – the President’s Badge.

School students Mariyam Rimsha Suhail, Firasha Mohamed and Reem Zahir were presented with their awards by President Dr Mohamed Waheed at a special ceremony in Male’ yesterday (September 11).

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Nasheed to ‘go it alone’ in run-off: Eurasia Review

Presidential candidate Gasim Ibrahim appears to have been upset over the election results. He said that he will not accept the results announced by the Election Commission. He also alleged that over 10000 voters who were not registered had voted in the elections, writes Dr S Chandrasekharan for the Eurasia Review.

It is doubtful whether Gasim would succeed in his court case in the face of the findings of many neutral observers. It also looks very doubtful whether Gasim would whole heartedly support Yameen Abdulla as their relationship has a bitter history.

Perhaps Nasheed must have taken these into consideration in deciding to go it alone and not go for a coalition with other parties. His experience in the first term where he was unable to get along with those who voted for him like Gasim, Hassan Saeed and others must have made him decide not to go against coalition this time.

On the other hand the other candidate Abdulla Yameen, Gayoom’s half brother will have no compunction to use every card available with him to show that not only the country but also Islam will be unsafe under Nasheed. Some of his supporters may also resort to “India bashing”.

Already the rabid leader Sheikh Mohammed Shaheen Ali Saeed of Adhaalath party has declared that he would join the PPM of Yameen. Some allegations are already being made that the GMR will be brought back to run the international Airport of Male to favour India in case Nasheed is voted to power.

With all other groups ganging up against Nasheed which we saw in the first round itself, it looks that it is not going be an “easy walk” for him in the runoff.

Read more

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Nasheed and US Ambassador discuss outcome of the election

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed has met with the US Ambassador to Maldives and Sri Lanka Michele J. Sison today.

During the meeting, Nasheed and the US ambassador discussed on the outcome of last Saturday’s presidential election and the scheduled run-off contest scheduled for September 28.

According to former president’s official website, the duo also discussed the importance of holding a free and fair election. Nasheed told the ambassador that it was important to provide technical support to all state institutions including the police and the Elections Commission (EC) in order to ensure the credibility of the presidential polls.

He also expressed concern over current Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz, who was found guilty of politicized tweets by the Police Integrity Commission.

Ambassador Sison meanwhile welcomed the outcome of the first round of election and commented on how well the election had been facilitated. She also urged all political parties to accept the results of the election and appealed to the public to maintain peace and order in the upcoming run-off elections.

The meeting was attended by Nasheed’s Special Envoy Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, MDP’s Chairperson ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik, former Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem, MDP Spokesperson MP Hamid Abdul Ghafoor and MDP’s Deputy Chairperson Ali Shiyam.

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