Author: Minivan News

The cabinet withdrew 39 islands selected for resort development from the list of 64 on Tuesday, according to Haveeru.

Although the 39 islands had been leased out for resorts, no construction work had yet been carried out.

Tourism Minister Dr Ahmed Ali Sawad said the government had decided to give additional time to resorts where construction was underway but had not reached a decision on islands where construction had not yet begun.

Sawad said the government was authorised to take action against lessees if they did not adhere to their contracts even if an advance payment had been paid.

He added the government’s intention was to ensure that the leased islands were developed as tourist resorts.

“We have to take all the necessary steps to ensure that the development of the resorts proceeds,” Sawad said. “We also have to see which parties have the financial means to do it. They have to be given the opportunity.”

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The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has closed seven eateries commonly patronised by expatriate workers, Miadhu reports.

Health inspectors said several eateries were being operated without registration while others had low levels of hygiene.

Three of the eateries complied and closed shop, while four had to be closed with police assistance, the
MFDA said. The managers of these establishments were also taken into custody.

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A suspected drug smuggler attacked police in an attempt to escape, crashing his motorcycle into several officers, Haveeru reports.

Police claimed 22 year-old Ismail Saeed of Feydhoo Suvaasaage was attempting to smuggle drugs to Seenu atoll Feydhoo when he was stopped by Gan police. Saeed allegedly accelerated, colliding with an officer and injuring both parties.

A search discovered 14 small packets and seven foil packages containing suspicious substances, police said.

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The Electoral Commission has fined nine parties for failing to submit reports in line with 2005 political party regulations, reports Miadhu.

The People’s Party (PP) , Maldivian Social Democratic Party (MSDP), Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Adhalat Party (AP), National Alliance (NA), Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhooree Party (JP) were issued fines of Rf20,000.

The  Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) and Maldivian National Congress (MNC) were fined Rf30,000.

The EC also revealed that of the fines it has previously issued, only the People’s Alliance paid on time.

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A man who was hunting for lobsters in the lagoon of Gaafu Alifu atoll Kooddoo died shortly after surfacing from a dive, Haveera reports.

Ali Shareef of Abadah Fehi surfaced from the dive and climbed aboard the boat clutching his chest and with white liquid coming out of his nose and mouth, police said.

The 41 year old was dead by the time he reached Gaafu Alifu atoll hospital, leaving behind a wife and two children.

Police claimed Shareef had not been adequately trained in diving and the boat was not equipped with proper safety equipment.

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The Poverty Alleviating Party has changed its name to the Maldivian Labour Party, according to the Elections Commission.

The party’s vice president is Ahmed Saleem, who is an independent member of parliament for Baa Eydhafushi.

Haveeru reports that several former MDP members have joined the rebranded party.

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The government will establish a Public Relations Corporation to undertake state advertising and marketing, reports Miadhu.

Cabinet member decided that centralising these activities in a single office would be more efficient.

The Public Relations Corporation will be responsible for producing a range of government publications including the government’s gazette, and will also have an event management division.

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The police medical service’s voluntary counselling and testing centre was inaugurated yesterday by Abdul Bari Abdullah, minister of state for health.

The centre was established under a project by the UN Global Fund and the centre for community health and disease control and will be open to the public for HIV testing.

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Police arrested five people in Addu Hithadhoo on Saturday with a large amount of drugs.

Hassan Ibrahim Didi, 18, Zura, S. Hithadhoo, Ibrahim Ashvadhu,22, Asramanzil, S. Hithadhoo and a 17-year-old was taken into police custody at 4.45am in the woods.

Police found 77 rubber packets with drugs and Rf2,210 in the area. Two more men, Ali Shiraj, 22, and Hassan Shaaz, 20, of Nanreethige, Hithadhoo were with 53 packets in their possession.

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