Author: Minivan News

Maldives holds joint venture discussions with Sri Lankan dental hospital

The Maldives government has held discussions over establishing a dental surgery through a joint venture with a private Sri Lanka-based medical service provider, according to media reports.

Sakura Dental Hospital Chairman Gamini Rajapaksa told the Ceylon Daily News publication Sunday (December 30) that the Maldives government had agreed to provide land for a proposed dental surgery in the country.

The company claimed its ambitions to provide dental care were part of wider expansion plans including the establishment of its first dental nurse training institute in Sri Lanka during 2013.

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President Waheed meets former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has met with former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed during a private visit to the country.

According to the President’s Office, discussions on the close bilateral relations between the Maldives and Malaysia took place during the meeting.

The President is currently away on an ongoing private visit to Malaysia.

President Waheed invited Dr Mahathir to make a visit to the Maldives at a mutually convenient time, the President’s Office added.

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President withdraws nominee to Police Integrity Commission

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has withdrawn the nomination of former Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohamed Rishwan to the Police Integrity Commission (PIC).

The nominee was sent to parliament after former chair of the PIC, Shahinda Ismail, resigned from the post in October citing the oversight body’s failure to hold the police accountable.

A letter informing the People’s Majlis of the president’s decision to withdraw the nomination was read out at the beginning of the sitting of parliament yesterday (December 31, 2012)

While reasons for the withdrawal were not specified in the letter, parliament’s secretary general said that the Independent Institutions Committee had requested the President to withdraw Rishwan’s name.

The committee noted that there were pending cases involving Rishwan. In October 2011, the PIC found that Rishwan had ordered subordinates to cut the hair of a number of youth in police custody while he was serving as deputy commissioner in July 2010.

Following its investigation, the PIC asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to press charges against the former deputy commissioner.

Rishwan retired from the police service in July 2011.

Special operation

In July 2010, police and the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) arrested almost 60 people, including children, in a joint special operation launched to curb the rise in gang violence.

Many arrested at the time claimed that their mobile phones and personal belongings were confiscated and were not returned when they were released.

Almost everyone arrested in the operation was released without any charges.

A number of those arrested claimed they were mistreated and abused in custody, including being forced to remove their clothes, blindfolded and beaten.

“I was arrested while I was on the way to Dharumavantha School to get a document,” one of those arrested told Minivan News at the time. “While I was waiting near the traffic lights on Sosun magu, two policemen and two MNDF officers told me to be freeze, came up behind me and handcuffed me and my friend.”

“I asked them on what charges they were arresting me, and where they were taking me, and they said they needed me to clarify some information.”

He said the officers pushed him into a police bus and blindfolded him with his hands tied with clips.

“They took me to a place and removed my silver ear-rings, my bracelets, necklace and sunglasses,” he claimed. “Then they took me to a place and removed the blindfold on my eye, and ordered me to remove my clothes. I refused, but I had no other choice so I did, and they told me to bend over. They harassed me verbally and physically.”

He claimed the officers involved were covering their faces.

“After checking me they blindfolded me again, and then took me to somewhere else. I asked them where they were taking me, they said that I should speak only when I am spoken to,” he said. “They pushed me into another room, where they trimmed my hair. When I tried to refuse, they hit and beat me.”

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Parliament breaks for two-month recess

Parliament broke for a two-month recess today following the final sitting of the third and last session of 2012.

According to the parliamentary rules of procedure, the first session of 2013 will begin during the first week of March.

Among the bills passed by parliament this year included the legislation on domestic violence, business profit tax, business registration, sole traders, freedom of assembly, political parties, parliamentary privileges, jails and parole and privatisation rules.

An amendment was also approved this month to allow sittings to be held during recess upon request by 26 MPs.

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Swords, knives found inside residence of MP Ibrahim Riza

Police have said that two swords and a knife have been discovered in a house in Male’.

Local media has reported that the residence, identified as Crab Tree House, is the home of Guraidhoo Constituency MP, Ibrahim Riza.

Speaking to Minivan News today Police Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef said that the swords and the knife were suspected of having been kept at the house for a significant time, describing their appearance as being rusty and old.

” Two four foot long swords and a knife were found,’’ Haneef confirmed.

Local media today reported that police have strengthened security provided to Riza following the discovery of the sharp weapons.

However, Haneef has told Minivan News that police had always been providing security to MPs.

The discovery of the weapons was revealed at today’s sitting of parliament by MPs Ali Waheed and Ilham Ahmed. The latter said that he lived next door to MP Riza and expressed  concern over the security provided to MPs.

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Nasheed administration was “toppled,” tweets Home Minister Dr Jameel

Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed tweeted today that the previous administration of President Mohamed Nasheed was “toppled” on February 7, 2012.

“2012 was historic year for the Maldives. Democracy was tested repeatedly, arrogant, impulsive & authoritarian regime of Nasheed was toppled,” he wrote.

The government of former Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed has insisted that Nasheed resigned voluntarily and that the transfer of power was constitutional – a stance backed by the Commonwealth-backed Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) earlier this year.

Jameel however tweeted that the events of February 7 was a “landmark moment where people power prevailed over a mad govt that failed to hear the voice of the people.”

President Nasheed resigned on February 7 after police officers joined opposition protesters in mutiny at the Republic Square in the wake of violent clashes at the artificial beach between rival protesters and an assault on members of the formerly ruling Maldivian Democratic Party by riot police.

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Red Crescent launches campaign to promote volunteerism

The Maldives Red Crescent launched a campaign last night (December 30) to promote volunteering and raise awareness of the organisation’s activities.

The campaign dubbed “I Am For Humanity” was officially launched at a function at Trader’s Hotel by chief guest Mohamed Hussain Manik, CEO of the Maldives Pension Office.

As part of the six-month long campaign, the organisation plans to provide information to the public regarding the work of the Red Crescent and recruit volunteers.

Speaking at last night’s function, Red Crescent Secretary General Rasheed Ali said that the organisation has opened branch offices in 10 atolls and units in 20 islands.

The Maldives Red Crescent has more than 1,300 registered volunteers, he said.

Formed in August 2009, the organisation was recognised as a full member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement on November 9, 2011.

On November 23, 2011, the Maldives Red Crescent became the 187th member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

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President vetos state wage policy bill

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has vetoed the bill on state wage policy passed by parliament on December 17.

According to the President’s Office, President Waheed “detailed the 10 main issues noted by the Attorney General regarding the bill” in a letter to the Speaker of the People’s Majlis.

Under article 91(a) of the constitution, the President has 15 days to either ratify or “return for reconsideration” any bill or amendment passed by parliament.

However, 91(b) states that “a majority of the total membership of the People’s Majlis” can override a presidential veto.

The wage policy legislation was passed with 46 votes in favour, two against and two absentions.

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Beckhams still in the Maldives: Haveeru

Football superstar David Beckham and his family are still in the Maldives, despite claims the family had cut short their holiday due to bad weather, local newspaper Haveeru has reported.

“The Beckhams have cut short their £250,000 Christmas break in paradise in the Maldives – because it would not stop raining,” UK-based newspaper, The Sun reported on Saturday (December 29).

According to Haveeru, an official source within Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) and an official from the company operating the Reethi Rah Resort confirmed to the newspaper that the Beckhams were still in the country.

“The reports that he [Beckham] had left is a blatant lie. He is still in the resort. The weather there is also quite good,” an anonymous official told Haveeru.

The Beckhams were reported to have booked the “priciest” suite available at the One and Only Reethi Rah resort, costing £8,600 (MVR 213,892) a night. The Sun newspaper also stated that the family had booked three more suites, each costing £3,7000 (MVR 92,015) a night.

Senior tourism figures have previously welcomed unconfirmed reports that Beckham was in the Maldives with his family, claiming such a high profile figure creates significant publicity for the destination following well publicised unrest earlier this year.

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