Author: Minivan News

President calls for “respect and love” for Dhivehi language

President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has called for national programs to be introduced to foster “respect and love” for the Dhivehi language.

Speaking at a function organised by the Dhivehi Language Academy, the President stated that the promotion and preservation of the language was a national duty rather than the responsibility of an institution.

President Waheed warned that by neglecting work aimed at the growth of Dhivehi, it risked being buried.

During the function, 30 seconds were observed as a sign of respect for the Dhivehi language, the President’s Office said.

Waheed went on to express concern over the misuse of Dhivehi by Maldivians and youth, before appealing to all parents, guardians and teachers to protect the language.

President’s Office Spokesperson Masood Imad told Minivan News there was no risk of the language being “put to one side” in place of another.

“The concern regarding the misuse of the language was in reference to slang coming into Dhivehi. The language is certainly not dying,” he added.

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Sri Lankan boat found drifting in Maldivian waters after engine failure

A Sri Lankan fishing boat has been found adrift near the island of Dhiffushi in Kaafu Atoll after the vessel suffered engine failure, local media reported.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) told local media that the four crew members found onboard the boat are in good condition after being handed over to Vilimale’ Police Station yesterday morning (February 24).

The Sri Lankan vessel was found by a Maldivian boat which took all four members aboard.

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Body of 53 year-old man found in Male’

The body of a 53-year-old man has been found in a house in Male after the public notified police of a foul smell in the area.

Speaking to local media on Saturday (February 23), Head of Serious and Organised Crime Department Chief Inspector Mohamed Daud said the dead man found at M Ever Free had been identified as Mohamed Ali Ismail of Faafu Dharanboondhoo Finifenmaage.

According to local media, police suspect the man to have died of natural causes.

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Three suspected of smuggling drugs into country arrested

Police have arrested three people accused of bringing large amounts of drugs into the Maldives, local media reports.

The Drug Enforcement Department arrested three individuals aged 26, 27 and 29 on Wednesday, after police were informed of a person bringing drugs into the country via the airport.

Local media reported that the 26-year-old was arrested first as he got off the ferry from Hulhule’ to Male’, while the 27 and 29-year-old were arrested under suspicion of receiving and trading the drugs.

21 bullets containing a substance suspected to be drugs were seized by police, after they were carried internally by the 26-year-old.

Meanwhile, local media reported that customs handed over a man to police on February 16 who was suspected of carrying drugs internally.

Police later discovered the man had been carrying 99 bullets of a substance suspected to be drugs.

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President declares March 4 a public holiday

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has declared Monday (March 4, 2013) as a public holiday.

The decision was taken to coincide with the year’s first sitting of the People’s Majlis, which is occurring the same day, according to the President’s Office website.

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PPM reclaim spot as second largest political party in Maldives

Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) has taken back its place as the second largest political party in the Maldives, local media reports.

Earlier this month, the PPM was overtaken by the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) by just 64 members.

Latest figures from the political party registry of the Elections Commission (EC) show that PPM now has a 583-member lead over DRP, which has 22,182 members, local media reported.

Despite PPM, with 22,765 members, overtaking DRP, the party has less than half the number of members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) which currently stands at 46,533 – the largest political party in the Maldives.

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PPM deny rumours that party called for MDP members to be killed

The Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has denied reports it made threats to kill Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members at a party rally last week.

Local media reported that a statement issued by PPM insisted that the party had not incited or called for violence, claiming that the rumours were due to the party’s “increasing popularity”.

According to local media, rumours had spread on social media claiming that PPM MP Shifag Mufeed had called for MDP members to be killed.

In response, PPM noted that Shifag or any other member had not made the comments, adding that the rumour had sparked death threats to Shifaq.

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Man dies during MNDF military training programme

A man has died while taking part in a military training program in Addu City yesterday (February 23), local media reports.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Media Officer Abdulla Ali told local media that the man, 24 year-old Ismail Habeeb of Seenu Feydhoo Dhunnikage, died whilst taking part in swimming training.

Local media reported that Habeeb had just completed his 200 metre swimming test before suddenly drowning as he touched the finish mark.

Ali said instructors had jumped in and taken him out of the water within five seconds, and took him to Hithadhoo Regional Hospital immediately.

The MNDF media officer said the hospital had confirmed Habeeb’s death, but said the official cause of death can only be confirmed after a review of the doctor’s reports.

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Police cannot be prosecuted for brutality against Jabir: PIC

The Police Integrity Commission (PIC) has said that no charges can be pressed against police in relation to the alleged attack against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Abdullah Jabir.

In November 2012, police carried out a ‘special’ operation on the island of Hodaidhoo in Haa Dhaal Atoll following reports that drugs and alcohol were being consumed.

Despite a complaint filed by Jabir’s brother, Ibrahim Shiham, claiming that there is sufficient evidence proving that police beat Jabir in the arrest, the PIC decided that the case could not be sent to the Prosecutor General’s (PG) office for criminal prosecution, local media reported.

Shiham’s complaint states that proof exists of police brutality during the arrests, as a medical report from ADK Hospital notes that Jabir had sustained injuries, and a video of the police operation shows a police officer kicking Jabir in the head, local media reported.

The PIC said that the because the face of the officer in the video could not be seen, nor his name, the PIC cannot forward to case to the PG’s office.

Jabir told local media that he now plans to file a case in the Civil Court against the police.

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