Author: Minivan News

Ahmed Sareer takes up Maldives Permanent Representative role at UN

Ahmed Sareer has taken up the role of the Maldives Permanent Representative to the United Nations on Thursday (December 20) after presenting his letter of credence, local media has reported.

Sareer, who was appointed to the permanent representative role by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan earlier this month, was officially confirmed in the position at a ceremony overseen by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon at the organisation’s headquarters.

In a Foreign Ministry statement seen by local newspaper Haveeru, Sareer praised the UN for its ongoing role in the Maldives pushing for national developments in areas such as human rights and climate change.  He also welcomed the UN’s role in providing the nation with technical assistance such as with the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for next year.

Sareer has previously served as the Maldives’ High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

Sareer’s name was earlier forwarded earlier this year for parliamentary approval as a replacement for Abdul Gafoor Mohamed, who resigned from the UN post over concerns about February’s transfer of power.

Gafoor announced his intention to resign from the post live on Al Jazeera’s ‘The Stream’ programme shortly after the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed.

“I believe the new president should have the opportunity to have his views and policies presented to the world community through representatives who serve him without equivocation or reservation,” Gafoor told Al Jazeera at the time.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

MACL Managing Director appointed as Transport Minister

President Mohamed Waheed has appointed Mohamed Ibrahim as Minister of State for Transport and Communications after removing him from his Managing Director post at Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

Replacing Ibrahim as MD of MACL is Dr Ibrahim Mahfooz, who has served as the Chief Internal Auditor of State Trading Organisation (STO) for the last 16 years.

Mohamed Ibrahim will be taking over from Acting Transport Minister Mohamed Nazim.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

MP Yameen accuses National Movement of damaging diplomatic relations with India

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Parliamentary Group Leader Abdulla Yameen has said in local media that any damage to relations between India and the Maldives  is the result of the actions of the National Movement.

During an interview with private broadcaster DhiTV on Tuesday (December 18), Yameen claimed that the airport was not withdrawn from GMR due to the pressure of National Movement, which had strongly opposed the deal.

He added that the decision to void the airport development agreement was made by the coalition government after all parties backed the move, according to the Sun Online news service.

Yamin also alleged that during rallies held by the National Movement, some participants spoke in a tone about GMR and the airport development that might have caused diplomatic issues with India.

According to Sun Online, Yameen was also quoted as claiming that the ongoing protests and rallies being held by the National Movement were unnecessary.  He added that the Maldives might have to face difficulties due to the recent activities of the National Movement.

Earlier this week, National Movement steering committee member and Minister of State for Finance Abbas Adil Riza said efforts would be taken to “break up” parliament should its dispute with the Supreme Court continue.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Parliament approves signing Convention against Transnational Organised Crime

Parliament approved the Maldives acceding to the United Nations (UN) Convention against Transnational Organised Crime following consideration by committee on Monday (December 17) .

Transnational crimes specified in the convention include terrorism, drug smuggling, illegal migration, fraud, kidnapping, money laundering, and human trafficking.

Once the convention is officially signed, the specified crimes committed by a Maldivian or foreign national can be prosecuted in Maldivian courts.

Also at Monday’s sitting, MPs passed a resolution calling on the government to issue without delay MVR 100 million (US$6.4 million) allocated for fuel subsidies to fishermen from the 2012 state budget.

A bill proposed by pro-government Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) MP Riyaz Rasheed to specify circumstances where state benefits could be denied to ex-Presidents was meanwhile rejected after preliminary debate.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

MDP calls for release of Abdulla Jaavid

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called for the release of its Chairperson ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik’s son-in-law Abdulla Jaavid, who has been arrested in connection to the murder of MP Dr Afrasheem Ali earlier this year.

On Sunday (December 16) the High Court upheld a Criminal Court order to extend Javid’s detention claiming police had a phone call recording as evidence to support their accusation of his involvement in the murder.

The MDP accused the police of attempting to pin Afrasheem’s murder of MDP members instead of going after those guilty of the crime, a statement seen by local media has read.

The party further reportedly stated that police had detained two of its members Mariyam Naifa and Alli ‘Smith’ Hashim for an extended period of time before releasing them without any charges.

The statement, according to local media, read: “If someone is being detained on such allegations, there should be enough evidence to file charges. Smith was kept in detention until the Ungoofaaru by-election was over. He was released less than 24 hours after final voting results were announced. All these things show us that the police are trying to frame MDP for the murder of Dr Afrasheem.”

Police Commissioner Abdulla Riyaz, who earlier stated that the motive behind the murder was political, was also accused in the statement of not having any evidence to back up his claims.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Bidding period for Herethera Resort extended for third time by Maldives Tourism Development Corporation

The bidding period for the management or purchase of Herethera Resort has been extended for the third time by Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).

MTDC is still looking for a party to purchase or manage the resort after the last bidding period closed on Sunday (December 16). The latest bidding period will continue until January 21.

The company has not stated why the last bidding period ceased, but on previous instances they said that they had to cancel bids due to a lack of interest from potential investors.

ONYX, a company from Thailand, previously managed the resort until February this year.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Stricter safety measures to ensure tourist safety: Tourism Minister Adheeb

Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Gafoor has reiterated the importance of ensuring the safety of tourists in the Maldives through stricter safety measures.

In light of the recent suspected snorkelling incidents whereby one tourist died and another is still missing, Adheeb revealed to local media that efforts are underway to strengthen existing regulations to ensure such incidents are not repeated.

As of next month, Adheeb stated that preparations will be undertaken to initiate various activities in relation to tourist safety.

According the tourism minister, the industry had so far been based on the European market, where he said tourists were generally much more adept swimmers. However, he claimed that east Asians who were now dominating tourism numbers in the Maldives market were not so familiar with the ocean.

“Europeans are generally strong swimmers. But the ocean is a whole new experience for the Chinese. The level of excitement for them is very different. We have to take that into account and be more aware of it when we make arrangements,” Adheeb said.

Adheeb also stated that the tourism industry must evolve and adapt to the changing market, whilst also increasing ocean awareness for tourists. Additionally, existing regulations must be monitored and strengthened.

“If such incidents keep repeating it is a major concern. It will adversely affect our tourism. We need to change the services being provided with the market,” Adheeb told local media.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Fault in Laamu Kadhdhoo aiport’s only fire truck causes operations to halt

The only fire truck at Laamu Kadhdhoo airport failed to start this morning causing airport operations to come to a halt.

Due to a fault in the fire truck, Ahmed Ali, who is currently in charge of the airport, said it had not been possible for any aircraft to land at the airport since 9:30am.

Operations were also suspended yesterday due to the same problem.

“We only have one fire truck. The truck has failed to start, so operations have been suspended,” Ali told local media.

While efforts to repair the truck were underway, Ali said that some of the equipment required to repair the truck was not at the airport.

According to Ali, airport operations are to resume by 8:00pm tonight (December 17).

Aviation law prohibits airplanes from landing at an airport without the presence of an operational fire truck.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Sick Indian prisoners in the Maldives denied treatment: The Hindu

More than a year after India and the Maldives signed an agreement on transfer of convicted prisoners, as many as 14 Indian inmates in the archipelago are losing hope of being transferred to prisons in their country, reports Indian newspaper The Hindu.

“We have no problems. From our side, there is no delay. We welcome India taking back sentenced prisoners,” a Maldivian official told The Hindu last week, when asked about the delay in paperwork.

Just as in the case of 33 Indian prisoners in Sri Lanka, the Indians in Maldives prisons are also at the receiving end of Indian bureaucracy. But unlike in the case of Indian prisoners in Sri Lanka, most of the 14 prisoners in the Maldives are ill and have almost no access to treatment. Access to treatment for most islanders in the Maldives consumes time, energy and money. Vacancies for specialist-doctors exist even in the country’s main hospital, the Indian-built Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Male.

“I do not know what my disease is,” said a woman prisoner who has been jailed in the Central North province of Maafushi, in Kaafu Atoll. “After I have been brought to Maafushi, I have never met a doctor. Every month, they take me to Male and bring me back. Soon after that they take a signature of mine in a paper with something written in Dhivehi [the official language of the Maldives],” said the woman, in a letter to the Indian High Commissioner in the Maldives.

Read more

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)