Author: Minivan News

CNI halts investigation to accommodate composition changes

The Commission of National Inquiry (CNI), established to ascertain the circumstances behind the controversial transfer of power on February 7, has temporarily ceased its work to accommodate changes to its composition.

According to local newspaper Haveeru, the CNI has said its investigation had been discontinued as of May 16 to allow for changes approved by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan to come into effect.

On April 16, The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (GMAG) warned of taking “stronger measures” against the Maldives government should it not revise the composition and mandate of the CNI within 30 days over concerns about its impartiality.

A day before CMAG’s deadline, the government agreed to allow a retired Singaporean judge to co-chair the CNI, and also permit former President Mohamed Nasheed to appoint a representative to the commission.

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International Herald Tribune talks election dates with President Waheed

The International Herald Tribune has published an exclusive interview on its India Ink blog with President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan discussing his government’s aims for transparent democracy and sustainable initiatives.

“Mohammed Waheed Hassan, president of the Maldives, concluded a five-day state visit to India last week, his first since taking over in February after Mohamed Nasheed, the country’s first democratically elected leader, stepped down.

Mr Nasheed said he was forced to leave in a coup that was orchestrated by loyalists to Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the former dictator.

During his visit to India, Mr Hassan rejected calls from Mr Nasheed and others for early elections, saying that under the constitution, the next elections in Maldives could not be held earlier than July 2013. He also said Indian leaders impressed upon him the importance of all political stakeholders in the Maldives working together to take the democratic process forward.

In an interview, conducted through e-mail, Mr Hassan rejected allegations that he is being influenced by Mr Gayoom and pledged that he would do all he could to preserve the country’s relationship with India,” the paper wrote.

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MDP announces candidates for local council by-elections

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced its candidates for the upcoming by-elections to replace the vacant Council seats of Hanyameedhoo (Alif Dhaal Atoll), Mathiveri (Alif Alif Atoll) and Omadhoo (Thaa Atoll).

The candidates include Ahmed Firaq (Hanyameedhoo), Ali Risham (Mathiveri) and Hassan Mohamed Didi (Omadhoo).

The by-elections for Hanyameedhoo and Mathiveri are scheduled for June 23, and Omadhoo for the June 30.

The Mathiveri by-election was called after the incumbent councillor left the Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP), while the Omadhoo councillor resigned following February’s political upheaval. The Hanyameedhoo councillor resigned due to illness.

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Police confiscate six bottles of alcohol and a case of beer

Police have claimed they have confiscated six bottles of alcohol and a beer case in two raids on Tuesday.

According to police, the beer case was found inside a bag of a 17 year-old boy who was arrested near Villingili ferry terminal.

Police said a second man 18, was arrested along with the 17 year-old boy.

The six bottles of alcohol were discovered inside an apartment rented by expats, police said.

Two expats were arrested in connection with the case, police added.

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Ratings agency warns Sri Lankan bank over exposure to Maldives lending

Financial risk evaluation agency Fitch Ratings has warned one of Sri Lanka’s largest privately-held banks that its AA rating is vulnerable due to exposure to weak lending in the Maldives.

According to the Lanka Business Online publication, Fitch warned that Hatton National Bank (HNB)’s rating was “constrained by the bank’s exposure to weak credits in Maldives, lower loan loss reserve coverage and a rising loan/deposit ratio.”

HNB’s exposure to Maldivian resort projects (23% of equity at end-2011) “mean downside risks from asset quality remain,” Lanka business reported.

Fitch is one of the world’s largest three credit ratings agencies, along with Standard & Poor (S&P) and Moody’s.

Ratings produced by these firms are used by investors, issuers, investment banks, broker-dealers, and governments to evaluate financial risk.

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Zulfa Ibrahim appointed to National Awards Committee

Zulfa Ibrahim today has been appointed by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan to the recently reconstituted National Awards Committee.

According to the President’s Office, the appointment was made following the withdrawal of  Aishath Mohamed Solih from the committee.

The National Awards Committee, which decides on public figures to honour for their work in societal development in fields such as health, agriculture and the arts, was reformed on April 9, after the previous body completed their allotted three year term.

The awards committee is designed to function independently from the government, which in turn will respect any decision made, according to the President’s Office.

The national awards were last held in November 2011 and conferred by former President Mohamed Nasheed.

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Former Indian Chief Justice advised CNI on transparency

The Indian Express has revealed the name of an expert sent to advise the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI). India’s Ministry of External Affairs told the newspaper that former Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal had been sent to the Maldives to assist with the commission’s conclusions.

The Chief Justice, who returned to India last week, told the paper: “I have given my advice on the transfer of power… They wanted my help in how to go about holding a transparent inquiry into the entire affair, as well as meaning of certain legal terms.”

Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Dnyaneshwar Mulay told Minivan News that the commission had made an official request for India’s assistance, adding that India would continue to be “happy to offer whatever little help we can.”

The CNI is in the process of being reformed following pressure from the international community, from civil society, and from political opponents to enhance its credentials of independence and impartiality.

After being reprimanded by the Commonwealth on these grounds, the government alleged that it had requested assistance with the CNI but had received no response. The Commonwealth responded by saying that it had received the request but felt the composition of the commission to be a more pressing issue.

Following meetings with the Commonwealth last week, the government agreed to add an international component, in the form of a Singaporean judge, as well as a nominee from former President Mohamed Nasheed. The appointment of the latter, however, is subject to certain criteria which has already seen a succession of nominees rejected by the government.

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STELCO says new generators may be ready in two weeks

The Maldives’ State Electricity Company (STELCO) has announced that work on its two new generators will be completed in two weeks, Sun Online has reported.

It is anticipated that the installation of these two generators, said to be worth €28 (US$36million), will end the regular power cuts experienced in the capital Male’. The frequency of these cuts has led the company to provide an update service on its website, informing its customers when and where their districts will be without power.

STELCO media coordinator Ibrahim Raoof told Sun that these cuts had come as the current grid is capable of providing 36MW whilst the city requires 39MW. The two new generators will provide an additional 8MW each.

Work on the two generators began in 2009 and had been scheduled to take 18 months. The German and Danish companies responsible for the installation had given May 20 as the date for completion.

Raoof told Sun that if technical problems continue, this new deadline may also be pushed back.

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New parole board begins releasing inmates

The parole board formed by President Waheed has released four inmates from Maafushi prison.

State Minister for the Home Ministry Mohamed Fayaz said the four inmates underwent a rehabilitation programme for a year prior to their release on parole, according to Haveeru.

The new parole board was formed in April after the shutdown of the “Second Chance” programme started by the former government.

Rehabilitation programmes are being conducted for a large number of inmates serving long prison sentences, the Home Ministry said.

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