Category: News in Brief

Gayoom’s brother in law Ilyas Ibrahim quits PPM

Brother-in-law of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Ilyas Ibrahim, has left the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), accusing it of disrupting President Waheed’s coalition government.

“I can’t accept stymieing the government whilst being part of the coalition,” Haveeru reported Ilyas as saying.

Ilyas publicly backed Umar Naseer in the PPM primary vote to determine the party’s presidential candidate, which was marred by allegations of vote rigging.

The primary was won by Gayoom’s half brother, MP Abdulla Yameen. Ilyas and Yameen are believed to have had a longstanding feud following Ilyas’s clash with Gayoom and subsequent banishment in 1998.

Tensions between the government and the PPM were exacerbated recently with the defection and dismissal of several high profile figures, such as former Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel – now Yameen’s running mate.

“This is a sad day for PPM. Hon Ilyas has left the party. He was such a big asset to us. I thank him for being with us from the beginning,” Gayoom tweeted, following the recent announcement.

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Maldives suffers straight sets defeat to Sri Lanka in volleyball qualifier

The Maldives yesterday (July 3) suffered a straight sets defeat against Sri Lanka in the opening zonal qualifying match for the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) men’s 2014 World Championship.

Sri Lanka made the most of their home advantage at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo to take the first set by 25-20, claiming the second set with an ever stronger margin of 25-12, the Ceylon Daily News has reported.

Despite a strong start to the third set, the Maldives squad failed to hold on to their initial lead over Sri Lanka, eventually conceding the match.

The Maldives will today face India, before playing Pakistan tomorrow (July 5) in a bid to claim a place in a final qualifying tournament ahead of next year’s world championship finals.

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Police to charge four women for possessing alcohol

The police have sent the names of four women accused of possessing and using alcohol to the Prosecutor General’s office to press criminal charges against them.

Police identified the persons as Fathimath Salma, 23 of Feydhoo in Addu City, Aishath Rifna, 18 of Baarah in Haa Alifu Atoll, Aiminath Shaira of Manadhoo in Noonu Atoll and Maryam Sana of Male’.

According to police, the four were caught while they were inside a house in Male’.

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“Spontaneous moments of happiness” sought for national photography competition

Aspiring photographers in the Maldives are asked to submit images capturing “spontaneous moments of happiness” for a new national competition being run on social media.

Organisers of the ‘life and smiles’ contest have said they are looking for images to be submitted from across the country in order to try and spread some happiness, not least in providing the participants with the chance to win luxury electronic goods.

Participants will be competing for prizes including top of the range camera equipment, a smart phone and a specialist photography course.

The prizes will be given to the three highest rated pictures decided through votes submitted by Facebook users.

All images must be submitted by July 14, with online public voting commencing the following day and running until July 31.

The event, which has been organised by the Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives and personal electronics supplier Reefside, can be entered through a facebook page set up exclusively for the event that can be accessed here.

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Former Attorney General and Gender Minister appointed to Judicial Service Commission

Attorney General Aishath Azima Shakoor was appointed to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) yesterday (July 2) by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, reports local media.

The JSC appointment was made hours after parliament rejected Shakoor’s appointment as Minister of Gender, Family, and Human Rights, according to local media.

Shakoor was reappointed to the post of Attorney General Monday (July 1), a post she previously held before serving as acting Gender Minister.

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Dead body of Chinese tourist found near Taj Exotica Resort

Police have reported the discovery of  a dead body this morning near the Taj Exotica Resort.

According to police, the body was identified as the body of a female Chinese tourist staying at Taj Exotica named Chenzi Juvan, 44.

Police said the body was discovered by a Coco Palm Resort speedboat passing by Taj Exotica.

Police said the initial investigation suggested the woman had gone swimming alone.

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Saudi Arabia’s Muslim World League opens office in Maldives Islamic Ministry

An office of the Saudi Arabian organisation Rabita al-Alam al-Islami (Muslim World League) was opened in the Maldives yesterday, following a signing ceremony at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

Islamic Minister Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed told local media the organisation would assist the Maldives with “social, religious and humanitarian issues”.

Sun Online cited Shaheem as acknowledging that a “non-operational” office of the Muslim World League had already been present in the Maldives for the last 15 years, but said he had no comment on the matter.

The office would initially be located in the Islamic Ministry, Shaheem said.

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Chinese hospital ship visits Maldives on ‘Mission Harmony’ tour

The Chinese government’s hospital ship, ‘Peace Ark’, is visiting the Maldives as part of its eight nation ‘Mission Harmony’ tour.

The vessel is the world’s largest dedicated hospital ship with 300 beds and eight operating theatres.

Doctors from the ship will work on eight islands across the country in addition to Male, including Guraidhoo, Rasdhoo (Alif Alif Atoll), Mahibadhoo (Alif Dhaalu), Kulhudhuffushi (Haa Dhaalu ), Fuvahmulah (Gnaviyani Atoll), Eydhafushi (Baa Atoll) Villingili (Gaafu Alifu Atoll) and Addu City in the south.

The vessel’s medical team will also conduct training of local health care workers, as well as attend local orphanages and nursing homes.

Indian media have reacted warily to the presence of the vessel, noting that this was the first Chinese interest in the Maldivian healthcare sector that has been dominated by India.

Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), the troubled state-owned hospital in Male, was donated to the Maldives by the Indian government.

“The Maldives National Defence Force stated that China’s ‘Peace Ark’ will provide better medical facilities than IGMH. Ironically, it will be at IGMH that the Chinese Army’s medical staff will be treating patients,” reported the Indian Express.

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