Author: Minivan News

High Court concludes hearings of MP Hameed’s appeal

The High Court concluded hearings last Thursday of the appeal by Independent MP Ismail Abdul Hameed of the Criminal Court verdict finding him guilty of abuse of authority.

The MP for Kaashidhoo was sentenced to one year and six months banishment after he was found guilty of misusing his authority as the former Director of Waste Management at the Male’ municipality to financially benefit a Singaporean company named Island Logistics in the purchase of a barge.

According to local media reports, Judge Abdulla Didi noted in the verdict that the agreement stipulated the barge was to be delivered within 90 days of signing the agreement, upon which 50 percent of the value was to be paid to Island Logistics.

Although the barge arrived in the Maldives on October 23, 2008, Hameed had however signed a document claiming that the barge was delivered on schedule on April 28, 2008.

At the High Court hearing, Hameed’s lawyer however submitted documents showing Hameed visited Indonesia to claim the barge and a letter from the municipality to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) requesting the barge be released.

Hameed insists he signed the delivery forms after the government officially claimed the barge. Moreover, Hameed’s lawyer argued that government violated the agreement by not making payments on time and Hameed negotiated with the company to ensure the delivery of the barge.

The state attorney countered that Hameed signed the documents before the barge arrived in the Male’ harbour.

The High Court adjourned the hearing after informing the parties that a verdict would be issued at the next court date.

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Addu accepts bids for convention centre management and hotel

Addu City Council will be accepting bids for the lease of land to design, build and operate a minimum 100-room city hotel in association with the newly-constructed convention center.

The City Council has also made the task of operating and maintaining the convention center available to public tendering.

Documents will be available at Addu City Council Secretariat starting on 30 October through 9 November.

Maldivian parties may purchase the bidding documents for Rf2000, and foreign companies will be charged US$300 for the papers.

The city council will hold a pre-bid meeting on 16 November at 2 pm.

Bidding parties are invited to the bid opening on 15 December.

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Vice President advocates for creativity at art awards ceremony

Nausheen Ahmed Nashid of Thaajuddeen School won the first prize of the “My Dream Home” children’s art competition, organised by Sunfront Private Limited.

Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed spoke at last night’s award ceremony, held at Nasandhura Palace Hotel. Thanking Sunfront for organising the competition, he said artistic expression is an important factor in academic success.

The Vice President said the underdevelopment of creative skills would undermine a child’s growth in other areas.

The Vice President was pleased to note the high number of participants in the competition.

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Foreigners now able to buy homes in Maldives: New York Times

The Maldives has opened a path for foreigners interested in buying homes in the tourist destination, the New York Times reports.

“Until last year only big-brand hotels were able to secure leaseholds on some of the country’s 1,200 islands. But then the government of President Mohamed Nasheed started allowing designated resorts to sell leases to individuals.

“The primary market is the more than 600,000 tourists who each year visit these islands, home to 315,000 permanent residents.

“The leases, which are for as long as 50 years, are first sold to the resort operator, who then sells them as part of a vacation villa package. The leases can be renewed before expiration, but if the government chooses not to renew it has the legal requirement to buy the property at market value. The resale arrangements vary by resort.

“The first company to introduce a residence option was 12 Blues in October 2010 on the island of Lundhufushi, 130 kilometers, or 80 miles, from the capital of Malé. Of the 40 villas planned, 10 already have been sold, and 10 more will be put on the market next year. The resort was designed by the Singapore company Eco.id, and is intended to include a Franklyn hotel, spa and a variety of restaurants and bars.

“Properties are priced from $2.3 million, or €1.7 million, and owners who want to put their homes into the resort’s rental pool will receive six weeks’ use per year and 50 percent of the net revenue.

“While the ability for owners to arrange rentals has been a key factor in some sales, many buyers have simply always wanted to own in the Maldives, according to Wally Fernandes, a manager at the newly opened Six Senses Laamu resort on the island of Olhuveli, where villas are also for sale.”

Read more

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Maldives-China relationship will not threaten India’s security: ET

President Mohamed Nasheed has pledged that the Maldives will never do anything that threatens India’s security, reports India’s Economic Times, following concern from the Indian security establishment about the Maldives’ relationship with China.

“I trust democracy far more than any other system,” the ET reported Nasheed as saying, at the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) currently being held in Australia.

The Maldives “will always be India’s friend”, Nasheed reportedly said, adding: “I trust democracy far more than any other system.”

The ET reported that “There has been some concern in the Indian security establishment over what is seen as a Chinese attempt in the recent past to extend its influence in the 1,190-island nation that is strategically located along major sea lanes of the Indian Ocean.

“India’s security establishment has been viewing with concern China’s bid to expand its role in the Indian Ocean by building maritime links with countries such as Seychelles, Mauritius, the Maldives and Sri Lanka so as to protect its energy imports.

“India has also been augmenting its defence ties with countries like the Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles. Its navy has, in fact, been helping the Maldives with maritime patrol. It is also helping the country set up a network of radars.”

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Foreign Affairs issues travel advice for Maldivians in Thailand

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Maldivians that are currently in Bangkok to urgently register their details with either the Ministry or the Consulate of Maldives in Thailand, in the wake of flooding.

“Please note that Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport is operating normally at present but the Don Muang domes c airport has been closed since 25 October 2011. There is disruption to road and rail transport, particularly on routes north of Bangkok and in flooded areas,” the Ministry said in a statement.

“If you are in an affected area, exercise caution and follow the advice of the local authorities.”

The current flooding disaster in Thailand is the worst in half a century and is believed to have killed 366 people, and has damaged farmland, industry and shipping.

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Households prohibited from offering tourist accomodation

The Tourism Ministry has said households are not permitted to provide lodging for tourists, and indicated action will be taken against those who violate Article 20 of the Tourism Act.

The Act state that registered businesses with required facilities may host tourists. Tourists may not receive accommodation in exchange for payment to any establishment other than a registered and licensed guest house and hotel.

Households in Male’, Hulhumale’ and other atolls had recently placed advertisements for housing tourists.

Tourism Ministry Permanent Secretary Ahmed Solih told Haveeru that no complaints had been received, and that the ministry had issued the warning to inform the public of the policy.

Popular traveler website CouchSurfing, however, has nearly 80 registered users in the Maldives. While some users simply look to meet for coffee, others offer basic accommodation to travelers in exchange for a local perspective.

CouchSurfing does not facilitate, stipulate or endorse financial transactions.

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MNBC investigated for suspicious transactions

Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation (MNBC) is being investigated by Parliament for transactions that allegedly transgress the Public Finance Act.

Villufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed, Eydhafushi MP Ahmed ‘Red Wave’ Saleem, Alifushi MP Mohamed Nashiz and Nolhivaram MP Mohamed ‘Colonel’ Nasheed have been appointed to lead a sub-committee of the parliamentary Finance Committee and carry out the investigation, reports Haveeru.

A letter has been sent to MNBC requesting relevant information.

Details of the alleged transactions are unknown.

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JCI accepting applications for 10 Outstanding Youth

Applications for Junior Chamber International (JCI) Maldives’ Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) award are being accepted until Monday.

The program recognises people aged 18 to 40 whose achievements and positions as community role models are significant to the Maldives’ future.

Nominations may be made for ten categories: Business and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment, political, legal and/or governmental affairs, academic leadership, cultural achievement, moral and/or environmental leadership, contribution to children, world peace and/or human rights, humanitarian and/or voluntary leadership, scientific and/or technological development, personal improvement, and medical innovation.

National honourees are entered in the International TOYP Programme, which awards a free round-trip airline ticket to the JCI World Congress in Taipei, Taiwan, scheduled for November 2012. Honourees will be featured at an award ceremony, Haveeru reports.

The nomination form can be found online at www.jci.mv and must be completed no later than October 31.

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