Category: News in Brief

New UN Resident Coordinator to Maldives commences tour of duty

The new UN Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Republic of Maldives, Tony E. Lisle, has today officially begun his tour of duty in the country.

Lisle’s main task will be to oversee national development programs by collaborating with the various UN agencies operating in the country, a spokesperson for the organisation told Minivan News today.

The new resident coordinator, who has been serving within the UN since 1996, previously held the position of Country Director for UNAIDS in Vietnam.

Lisle’s mandate as resident coordinator is expected to last for between four to five years, according to the organisation.

Lisle replaces former UN Resident Coordinator Andrew Cox, who completed his tour of duty back in January of this year.

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MP Ilham Ahmed switches to Jumhoree Party

MP Ilham Ahmed has signed to the government-aligned Jumhoree Party (JP) Thursday (April 18), days after resigning from his post as Vice President of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

The PPM is part of the national coalition government of President Dr Mohamed Waheed along with the JP.

Speaking Thursday at a special JP rally at the artificial beach area in Male’ following his defection, MP Ilham was quoted in local newspaper Haveeru as claiming there was no other party that he had wished to join.

He also stressed the need for forming a coalition in order to secure victory during presidential elections scheduled for September of this year.  Ilham claimed that forming the election would be much easier under JP Leader and business tycoon, MP Gasim Ibrahim

Gasim also spoke during the event claiming that he would be prepared to form a coalition with other parties, but that he would not stand as a running mate of another candidate, according to Sun Online.

Earlier on Thursday, JP Spokesman Moosa Ramiz said the party had ruled out the idea of forming a coalition with fellow government-aligned parties ahead of this year’s elections, despite its involvement in recent power sharing talks with President Dr Mohamed Waheed.

MP Ilham and JP spokesperson Ramiz were not responding to calls from Minivan News at time of press. MP Gasim had his phone switched off.

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300 flats being built on Hulhumale’ for police officers

Three hundred flats set aside for police officers will be built on the island of Hulhumale’, Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz has announced.

The building work was announced at a function celebrating the 80th anniversary of police services in the Maldives, with the flats being built as part of efforts to “improve the welfare of servicemen and servicewomen”, the commissioner was quoted as saying by Channel News Maldives (CNM).

Additionally, a “mechanism” for police officers and their families to receive medical treatment in Sri Lankan institutions at “minimal prices” will also be introduced in April.

The Police Family Association is also being “revived to strengthen the social relations of police officers and their family ties,” Riyaz said added.

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Reporter Ibrahim ‘Asward’ Waheed returns to Maldives following major surgery

Raajje TV reporter Ibrahim ‘Asward’ Waheed yesterday (April 19) returned to the Maldives following major surgery in Sri Lanka after being attacked with an iron rod in February.

Asward told local media he was very happy to return to the Maldives and added that the attack on him was an attack on media.  He told local media that he would remain undeterred in his role as a journalist.

Asward, 22, is news head of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)-aligned broadcaster Raajje TV.  He was attacked with an iron rod at 1:18am on February 23 while riding a motorbike near the artificial beach area of Male’.

Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz described the attack via Twitter as a murder attempt.

The attack left Asward unconscious.  He was later transferred to a hospital in Sri Lanka for treatment, where he had to undergo major surgery last month to correct a maxillary fracture (broken jawbone).

Police submitted cases against two suspects to the Prosecutor General’s Office April 16
on charges of assaulting Asward in February. The investigation into the murder attempt remains ongoing.

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PPM denies obstructing Thimarafushi airport project

The government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has denied accusations that it was delaying the completion of a regional airport in the island of Thimarafushi in Thaa Atoll.

In a press release today, the largest party in the ruling coalition dismissed the reported claims as “completely false,” insisting that it would never attempt to stall a development project.

The denial comes after local media reported that PPM MP for Thimarafushi, Ahmed Shareef, was considering leaving the party over dissatisfaction with the stalled airport project.

In a recent appearance on pro-government private broadcaster DhiTV, Shareef reportedly alleged that “certain people” in PPM had tried to halt the airport project.

Shareef also criticised the party’s stance against forming coalitions ahead of the upcoming presidential election in September.

Sun Online reported an anonymous MP as claiming that Shareef has already decided to quit PPM but would make a final decision after consulting his constituents.

Shareef told newspaper Haveeru today that he would make a decision after PPM presidential candidate and parliamentary group leader, Abdulla Yameen, returns from Singapore tonight (April 20).

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Association warns public against spear-fishing at public swimming area

The Swimming Association of Maldives has warned individuals against using the pubic swimming track in Male’ for spear-fishing.

In a statement released today, the association stated that it had received complaints that members of the public have been using the area for spear fishing and other related activities.  It argued that activities such as these had resulted in some people in the area swimming around with sharp metal rods and other dangerous objects.

“As this concerns the safety of many leisure swimmers who use the track during night and day, as a precautionary action, we call on all those who use the area to be more responsible and to refrain from such activities,” the Swimming Association of the Maldives stated.

In addition to the general public, the swimming track is often used for training courses by the Swimming Association of the Maldives, and other private clubs and societies.

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STO schedules AGM for next month, claims exact date unknown

The State Trading Organisation (STO) has denied reports that its latest Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on May 16 this year.

In a brief statement sent to Minivan news, the STO said local media reports claiming an exact date had been set for next month were inaccurate.

“The AGM is scheduled to take place in May but the actual date will be announced in our ‘Notice of Annual General Meeting’,” the state-owned company has said.

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President Waheed commences Haddhummathi Atoll visit

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has today commenced a visit to the islands of Dhanbidhoo and Kunahandhoo in Haddhummathi Atoll.

According to the President’s Office website, harbour projects for the two islands will officially be inaugurated by Dr Waheed during his visit.

Last Thursday (April 11), the president commenced a tour of North Maalhosmadulu Atoll in order to review the progress of island developments in the area.  The visits come ahead of presidential elections scheduled for September this year.

However, President Waheed’s electioneering has come under strong criticism from the government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MPs in parliament this week.

MP Ali Arif accused the president of discontinuing public services and development projects, while using state funds to finance his election campaign, during a parliamentary session on Monday (April 15).

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DRP committee reveals contenders for deputy leader posts

Five people have expressed interest in standing for three vacant deputy leader posts within the government-aligned Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), according to local media.

Ahead of the DRP congress scheduled to run from April 23 to April 25, the party’s Election Committee has said that MPs Ali Azim, Rozaina Adam and Mohamed Ramiz will be among those contesting for the posts, according to Sun Online.

Current Minister of Economic Development Ahmed Mohamed, as well as Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Ali Solih are also expected to stand.

The committee also announced that 12 individuals had expressed interest in standing for six spots on the DRP’s council that are reserved for members of the public.

According to Sun Online, the DRP election committee has opted against holding votes to appoint a president and vice president for its women’s wing, along with a member of its Behavioural Committee as only one candidate had applied for each position.

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