Category: News in Brief

New Attorney-General appointed

The new Attorney-General, Uz Mohamed Anil, took his oath of office on Thursday evening at the President’s office.

Mohamed Anil was appointed by President Abdulla Yameen Gayoom, and took his oath before Supreme Court Judge Uz Abdulla Areef.

Mohamed Anil will also sit on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), as per Article 158 (i) of the Constitution.

This marks the final appointment of the President’s Cabinet.

President Yameen’s Cabinet
Minister of Defense and National Security, Retired Colonel Mohamed Nazim
Minister of Finance and Treasury, Abdulla Jihad
Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Adheeb (PPM)
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dunya Maumoon (PPM)
Minister of Transport and Communication, Ameen Ibrahim (Jumhoree Party)
Minister of Home Affairs, Umar Naseer
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (Adhaalath Party)
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Mohamed Muiz (Adhaalath Party)
Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr Mohamed Shainy
Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed (Jumhoree Party)
Minister of Environment and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim
Minister of Education, Dr Aishath Shiham (PPM)
Minister of Health and Gender, Dr Mariyam Shakeela
Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal (PPM)
Attorney General Mohamed Anil

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Two arrested for stealing laptop and cash

A 21 and 24 year-old have been arrested by the Maldivian Police Service (MPS) on suspicion of stealing a laptop and cash, Sun Online reports.

A laptop and MVR 100 000 were burgled from a house on Kunahandhoo in Laamu atoll on Friday afternoon.

The suspects were arrested during the subsequent manhunt.

Both were arrested on Laamu Kunahandhoo

Maldives Police Service has arrested two individuals on suspicion of stealing a laptop and a large amount of cash from a house in Laamu Kunahandhoo yesterday afternoon.

Police revealed one individual as a 21-year-old and the other a 24-year-old, and said both have records of theft and robbery.

The two people were arrested during a manhunt for suspects. They are suspected of stealing a total of MVR 100,000 in cash, in addition to the laptop.

The 21 year old individual was arrested today and the 24 year old early this morning, police said. Both men were arrested under court warrants in Laamu Kunahandhoo.

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New High Commissioner to Malaysia nominated

Mohamed Fayaz, former deputy police commissioner, was nominated by President Abdulla Yameen as the Maldivian High Commissioner to Malaysia on Sunday.

Haveeru Online reports that President Yameen is seeking approval for the appointment in the People’s Majlis.

Fayaz is currently the Minister for Home and State Affairs.

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EU congratulates Maldives on election

The European Union (EU) released a statement on Thursday urging all Maldivian political parties to work together for the betterment of the country.

Catherine Ashton, the EU’s High Representative, warned of both economic and environmental challenges ahead.

“The EU expects all political parties to put personal and ideological rivalries aside and work together to confront the serious economic and environmental challenges which the country faces,” she said.

Aston further congratulated the Maldives on its “commitment to democracy” and constitution, crediting the professionalism of the Electoral Commission.

The EU had earlier threatened “appropriate measures” against the Maldives in response to the annulments and delays of the electoral process.

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High Court overrules prison sentence of island chief

Nolhivaram Ali Rasheed Hussain, former island chief of Nolhivaram in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, has had his prison sentence revoked by the High Court, Sun Online reports.

Hussain was convicted in 2012 of embezzling MVr 3600 of State finances.

He was sentenced to two years and six months by the Nolhivaram Magistrate Court.

The High Court ruled on Wednesday that, as the Nolhivaram Magistrate Court had failed to produce the paperwork requested by Hussain during the trial, the sentence was null.

Furthermore, court minutes suggest that Hussain was denied the constitutional right to cross-examine the witnesses against him.

The vote to annul was unanimous.

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MNDF searching for lost fishing boat

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) is searching for the fishing boat “Kanduroadhi” after it was reported missing 54 nautical miles east of Fahala in Thaa Atoll on Thursday around 8:00pm, reports Sun Online.

The MNDF described the missing boat at 75 feet long, dark blue on the sides and orange on top with a white shelter in the middle of the vessel.

Anyone with information on the missing vessel should contract the MNDF on 191 or 3395981.

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Government should drop charges against Nasheed: PPM MP Mahloof

The new government should drop criminal charges against former President Mohamed Nasheed for the sake of national stability, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Mahloof has urged, according to local media.

Nasheed was facing controversial the court action ahead of his filing for candidacy in the 2013 presidential elections, which were eventually narrowly won by a coalition headed by PPM candidate Abdulla Yameen. The charges concerned his detention of Chief Criminal Court Judge Abdulla Mohamed during the final days of his presidency in 2012, prior to his ousting by a mutinying defence force.

The charges, which Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) maintained were a politically-motivated attempt to prevent Nasheed contesting the election, led to international scrutiny and criticism over the politicisation of the judicary.

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DRP MP Mausoom appointed GM of Sun Island

Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP) MP Dr Abdulla Mausoom has been appointed General Manager of Sun Island Resort and Spa, a resort owned by Jumhoree Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim.

Gasim’s party allied with the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) which won the recent election.

“Tourism has always been very close at heart. I’ve taken over as the resort’s General Manager yesterday,” Dr Mausoom said, according to Sun Online.

The resort’s previous manager, Mohamed Saeed, was last week appointed Minister of Economic Development.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Sun Island is owned by Ahmed ‘Sun’ Shiyam. Minivan News regrets the error.

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MDP withdraws no confidence motion against Deputy Speaker

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has withdrawn a no confidence motion against Deputy Speaker  and Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Nazim.

The MDP and Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) submitted no confidence motion with 35 signatures in October alleging Nazim was politically biased in carrying out his duties as Deputy Speaker.

Speaking to the press last night, MDP Parliamentary Group’s deputy Leader Ali Waheed said the party had decided to withdraw the motion as the MDP intends to be a responsible opposition party and to ensure calm in the country following the PPM’s win in the November 16 presidential polls.

Meanwhile, the PPM has also submitted a no confidence motion against Speaker Abdulla Shahid. The vote was scheduled for November 20 but has now been delayed.

In November, the MDP voted out then Attorney General Azima Shakoor and has also tabled a no confidence motion against Prosecutor General (PG) Ahmed Muizz.

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