Category: News in Brief

Sun Hotels purchases two islands for resort development

MP Ahmed Shiyam’s Sun Hotels and Resorts have purchased two islands in northern Noonu Atoll for resort development, according to local media reports.

The company purchased Noonu Atoll Dhigurah Island from its previous owner Wego Maldives for an unspecified amount two months ago, Haveeru has said.

The second island, Noonu Atoll Minaavaru Island, was leased for agricultural development to a company called Impact Fisheries Maldives in 2010. Sun Hotels and Resorts has asked the Fisheries Ministry permission to transfer ownership of the island and said it intends to develop eco-agro tourism on the island.

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Government delays revisions to budget for third time

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury has delayed submitting revisions to the 2014 state budget for the third time.

On October 30, Minister of Finance and Treasury Abdulla Jihad presented a MVR 16.4 billion budget for 2014 with a projected deficit of 2.5 percent of GDP to parliament.

However, with the inauguration of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on November 16, opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) called for the state budget to be revised to include the Progressive Party of the Maldives’ (PPM) campaign pledges.

Jihad – who was reappointed under President Yameen – asked the People’s Majlis budget committee to allow the government to present a revised budget on November 25. The budget committee has suspended work until a new budget is submitted.

The Finance Ministry then delayed submitting revisions until November 28. The government was unable to meet its own deadline and further delayed submissions to today.

Local media reports the government is facing difficulties in cutting costs and will present revisions on December 5.

Yameen has expressed concern over the economic vulnerability of the Maldives and pledged to reduce state expenditure by MVR 1 billion.

“State debt is sky high. The state budget’s expenses are extremely high. Hence, we have to prioritise reducing state expenditure. I will start work very soon to reduce budget expenses,” Yameen said during his inauguration speech.

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President meets with Chief of IMF Mission to the Maldives

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom met with International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Chief of Mission to the Maldives Dr Koshy Mathai today.

According to the President’s Office, Yameen briefed Mathai on the new administration’s economic policies and discussed ways to promote sustainable economic development in the country.

Yameen has warned Maldives’ economy “is in a deep pit” and pledged to reduce state expenditure.

In November 2012, the IMF called on the government to strengthen government finances by reducing the fiscal deficit, better target electricity subsidies, reduce and rationalize government’s health program Aasandha and control the high public sector wage bill.

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President appoints Deputy Commissioners of Police and Customs

President Abdulla Yameen has appointed former Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Saudhee as Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The deputy Chief Superintendent at Maldives Customs Services Ismail Abdulla was appointed to the post of Deputy Commissioner of Customs.

Shortly after assuming the presidency, Yameen appointed former Minister of Economic Development Ahmed Mohamed as Commissioner General of Customs and appointed former Deputy Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed as Commissioner of Police.

Meanwhile, President’s Office Spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali told local media President Yameen intends to limit state ministers and deputy ministers at each ministry to two positions each.

The People’s Majlis is expected to approve Yameen’s 15 member cabinet on December 29.

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China to restore Dhiffushi Island School after fire

China’s Ambassador to the Maldives Yu Hongyao has pledged assistance to restore Kaafu Atoll Island Dhiffushi Island School after a fire on Saturday destroyed the school’s offices.

Earlier this week, The President’s Office announced that China will give the Maldives 50 million yuan (US$8.2 million) in grant aid “for the implementation of developmental projects and the advancement of public services.”

According to the President’s Office, Ambassador Yu pledged the assistance during a courtesy call to Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed today.

Yu said Chinese investors had gained confidence in the Maldives due to political stability following the election of the new administration, the PO reports.

Jameel thanked the Chinese government and asked for further Chinese assistance in in alleviating environmental challenges, providing clean drinking water and upgrading health services in the islands.

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Fire destroys Dhiffushi Island School’s offices

A fire at Kaafu Atoll Dhiffushi Island School has destroyed the school’s administrative offices.

The fire was reported to the Maldives National Defense Forces (MNDF) at 3:40 am. The MNDF’s fire and rescue services along with civil firemen from Meeru Beach Resort put out the fire at 5:30 am.

According to the Maldives National Defense Forces (MNDF), the school’s administrative offices had burnt to the ground and the fire had caused cracks in the staff block at the school.

The classroom block was not damaged as Dhiffushi residents had cleared out all furniture and materials in the classrooms, the MNDF reported.

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Malé City begins storm drain cleanup

The Malé City Council in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and Energy has started a week-long programme – “Open Streets, Clean Malé – to cleanup the city’s storm drains.

The majority of curbside drains are blocked in Malé and the city faces severe flooding during stormy weather.

Work has already commenced on Ameenee Magu and Buruzu Magu in south Malé.

Malé City Mayor ‘Maizan’ Ali Manik said maintaining Malé city’s sewer system has been difficult due to budgetary constraints and because the storm drains are old and damaged.

Speaking to the press, Minister of Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim said the clean up programme is not a sustainable solution and highlighted the need for a longer-term solution.

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Supreme Court on recess until December 15

The Supreme Court, the Civil Court, the Criminal Court and the Family Court have begun a recess period today.

The Supreme Court and Criminal Court will restart trials on December 15, while the Civil Court will restart on December 10. The Family Court will be on recess until December 30.

Even though the superior courts are on recess, trials may be scheduled and rulings issued if necessary. The courts will continue to be open for administrative purposes.

The High Court has said it will not go on recess this December as local council elections are scheduled for January 18.

According to Article 172 of the constitution, individuals may contest any decision of the Election Commission relating to elections at the High Court.

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Police uncover 77.46 grams of narcotics buried on Malé City street

The Maldives Police Services have uncovered 77.46 grams of narcotics buried under paving bricks on Saibani Goalhi in Malé City.

The police blocked the street on a tip off and discovered 30 rubber packets, 77 small rubber packets, a photo film box and two folded cellophane pieces containing narcotics.

A large amount of rubber packets used to pack narcotics were also found in the area, police said.

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