Author: Minivan News

Maldives National Movement to protest against Nexbis

The Maldives National Movement is to begin protesting against Nexbis and the Border Control System (BCS) project, should the GMR contract be annulled.

The National Movement was formed by government coalition parties who oppose the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) development being run by GMR.

Speaking at a press conference held at Traders Hotel today (November 26), Steering Committee member of National Movement and Minister of State for Tourism Ahmed Shameem said that the group aims to protest against all illegal agreements made.

“The names of our activities are constantly changing. We had to protest in the name of National Movement because these issues required action to be taken at national level.

“Our first target was to settle the airport issue. After that, we will not hesitate to take action against the Border Control System issue either. We will do that, we will protest against all issues that citizens do not accept,” he said.

Shameem stated that the National Movement is prepared to get the country on the right track, along with the help of Maldivian citizens.

“We have yet to find out if the ‘People’s Majlis’ is in fact a people’s Parliament. We will do that too, if you participate. Some members of Parliament believe that they control the whole country, that they can do whatever they want. So that’s also something we will protest against,” he said.

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has decided to ask the government to cancel the agreement on Border Control System project, a move supported by the Attorney General and Finance Ministry.

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Case on parliament property damage by MDP MPs to be submitted to police

A case concerning damage caused to parliament property by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs on 19 March 2012 is to be submitted to police.

The Parliamentary Behavioural Committee passed a motion to submit the case following a meeting held today (November 26).

Parliament has informed that on the day in question, damage was caused to desks, touch screens, 15 name boards, mic systems, administrative desks and voting cards in the parliament chamber.

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Mahloof proposed the case, which was then supported by PPM interim deputy President MP Abdul Raheem Abdullah.

Five out of 10 members present at today’s committee meeting voted in favour of submitting the case to the Police.

Committee Chairman and PPM MP Mohamed Mujthaz did not participate in the vote.

MDP committee members proposed that no motions should be passed by the committee until the regulation on behavioural issues of MPs is passed by parliament.

This proposition was voted in favour by four MPs, including independent member for Velidhoo MP Ali Mohamed.

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Maldivians detained in Pakistan now released

Two Maldivians detained at a jail in Pakistan have been released, the foreign ministry has revealed.

An official from foreign ministry has said that the families are now trying to bring them back to Male.

The Maldivian High Commission in Pakistan earlier revealed that the two detained in Rawalpindi, Pakistan are Nadal Rasheed of Henveiru Dhoohimerige and Hussain Naaz of Maafannu Madan.

The reason behind their arrest has yet to be officially revealed, however Haveeru has reported that they were arrested in connection with a drugs case.

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President appoints Spokesperson Riza as Minister of State for Finance and Treasury

Former President Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza has been appointed as the Minister of State for Finance and Treasury.

The position of spokesperson has now been assigned to ahmed Thaufeeg, Adivsor of Political Affairs at the President’s Office. The President’s Office gave no indication for the change.

Earlier this month, Riza sparked a diplomatic incident following an outburst aimed at the Indian High Commissioner in Maldives.

Speaking at an anti-GMR rally, Riza claimed that the commissioner was a “traitor and enemy of Maldives and Maldivian people. We don’t want these kind of diplomats on our soil”.

The comments prompted the government to disassociate itself from Riza’s remarks.

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Government informs diplomats of decision to take action on airport issue

The government has informed diplomats regarding its decision to “take action” on issues related to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA).

Government spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza mentioned that the GMR contract was discussed, but did not give any further details.

A senior official of the President’s Office said that the information was shared with diplomats during a teleconference held by Riza and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon on Tuesday.

“They were informed that the contract results in serious losses to the state, and that the government has decided to take action on this issue,” the official said.

Rumours have been circulating social networking sites over the last week that the government plans to annul its contract with GMR at a cabinet meeting this Tuesday (November 27).

Minivan News obtained a personal letter sent by GMR Chairman G M Rao to President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, proposing an amendment to the Airport Service Charge exempting Maldivian nationals from having to pay the fee.

The letter notes that there has been no correspondence from the President’s Office regarding the proposal prior to sending the letter.

No information has been disclosed by the government regarding the GMR contract. However, anti-GMR parties said after meeting with the President, he had assured the government’s decision on GMR will be “as per people’s wishes”.

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High Court concludes hearings into appeal against Jabir’s release

The High Court has concluded hearings in to the appeal against Jumhoree Party (JP) MP Abdulla Jabir’s release order issued by the Kulhudhufushi Magistrate Court.

Jabir’s legal team told local media that the extension of detention form submitted to the Kulhudhufushi Magistrate Court by the police said that nothing was found on Jabir.

The state attorney told the court that Jabir was sitting at a table with alcohol bottles on it, had a glass containing alcohol, and was drunk when police arrived on the scene, local media reported.

The state also noted that Jabir refused to give urine for forensic examination to test if he was positive for any illegal drug.

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Oil tank explodes in Thilafushi injuring two

Two Maldivian nationals were injured on Saturday afternoon after an oil tank exploded on the industrial island of Thilafushi.

According to police the explosion occurred at about 1:50pm.

The explosion occurred while the two workers were repairing the tank using a gas cutter, police said.

Local media reported that both men – aged 48 and 56 years-old – suffered severe burns are being treated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

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Afrasheem’s murder “carefully planned”: Home Minister

The probe into the murder of MP Dr Afrasheem Ali on October 1 has revealed that youth are being increasingly used in crimes, Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has said.

Speaking at a ceremony held on Thulusdhoo in at Kaafu Atoll, Dr Jameel said that individuals who offer alcohol, drugs and money to young people to kill cannot remain hidden.

“It is difficult for us to believe and for our minds to think about it. The investigation has revealed that the murder had been carefully planned. This is a matter of concern,” Jameel said.

Jameel claimed that Afrasheem’s murderer has been found and that culprits behind the crime will be revealed soon.

Speaking about issues in the Maldives, Jameel claimed that 90 percent of crimes are related to drugs, and that not enough attention has been given to substance abuse in the last three years.

According to Jameel, all illegal acts are related to alcohol and that those who dare mention it are being criticised. He further stated that there have been no prosecutions made in alcohol related cases in the last three years.

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Subsidy assigned for fishermen better spent on fisheries sector investments: Fisheries Minister

The MVR 100 million (US$6,497,730) assigned as subsidy for fishermen would be better spent on investments in the fisheries sector, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Ahmed Shafeeu has said.

Previous audit reports of Fisheries Ministry show that some subsidies were disbursed to vessels that never went fishing, and were not distributed fairly.

Shafeeu highlighted that fishermen are in need of funds for investments and the subsidy could be used to further-develop the fisheries industry.

He stressed the importance of assigning the subsidy in the budget, as it encourages fishermen to go fishing.

“We know from fishermen that they want ice plants and such things. It is a great concern for fishermen that they can’t get ice at low prices. Several investments like that, such as building ice plants, several things like that can be done with the money assigned as subsidy. That’s why I think the money could be better spent on those things,” he told Sun Online last week.

“I have shared this concern with the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee as well. I am hoping that this will be given priority when the budget is made,” he added.

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