Category: News in Brief

Suspension of trial raises hopes for credible presidential polls: Times of India

The halt on ex-Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed’s controversial trial has raised hopes of more credible presidential polls in the country, where electioneering has picked up pace with the nomination of candidates for the elections including through primaries, writes Sameer Arshad for the Times of India.

The Maldivian High Court halted the case on April 1 days after the European Union said the polls would not be credible without Nasheed, whose supporters describe the trial for ordering a judge’s detention during his tenure as motivated to prevent him from contesting. The UN echoed countries like India and the US as it urged all sides to work for ensuring “fair, peaceful and inclusive elections’’ last month.

Yet Nasheed’s participation is not completely guaranteed. His supporters fear the Supreme Court may overrule the order suspending the trial till the legality of the judges hearing his case in a lower court is decided. They point out rampant political control over Maldivian judiciary to underline their fears and warn of a violent backlash if they come true.

Nasheed’s supporters were somewhat vindicated as UN Special Rapporteur Gabriela Knaul called for constitutional reforms to ensure judicial independence in the Indian Ocean archipelago, while saying judges and lawyers “were not sufficiently independent from external pressures and interferences” in February.

Even Nasheed appears to be unsure of his participation, saying it does not suit the interests of the current dispensation, which stands little chance in retaining its hold following the elections in his presence. He too has warned of violence in case he is prevented from participating in the polls.

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Attorney General told CSC and President’s Office Fahmy’s position cannot be reinstated

Attorney General Azima Shukoor has told local media that she had previously informed the President’s Office and Civil Service Commission (CSC) that the commission’s president Fahmy Hassan should not be reinstated.

Fahmy was dismissed from the CSC by the Parliament, after a case was filed against him alleging that he had sexually abused a female staff working at the commission.

Parliament’s Independent Commission decided that there was enough evidence to believe that Fahmy was guilty of the allegations against him.

Azima Shukoor told local media that she had told the CSC and President’s Office that the Supreme Court’s ruling does not state that Fahmy’s position should be reinstated.

However the CSC has said that Fahmy returned to work after he received a letter from the President’s Office.

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Bahrain Telecommunications Company acquires majority share in Dhiraagu

Bahrain Telecomunications Company (Batelco) has acquired the majority share of Dhivehi Raajjeyge Gulhun Public Limited (Dhiraagu), the largest telecommunications service provider in the Maldives, Dhiraagu announced Wednesday (April 3).

Previously, Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), a British multinational telecommunications company, was the majority shareholder of Dhiraagu. Batelco purchased a majority of assets in Monaco & Islands Business Unit from CWC, resulting in its owning 52 percent of Dhiraagu shares.

Dhiraagu’s board of directors was altered following the purchase. The company’s leadership now includes Ibrahim Athif Shakoor as Chairperson and Government Director, and Ismail Waheed as CEO and Managing Director.

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Former President Nasheed to speak at University of Copenhagen

Former President Mohamed Nasheed speaking at a Sustainability Lecture organised by the University of Copenhagen on the 16th of April 2013.

According to a statement from Nasheed’s office, for former President will outline the dangers posed to the Maldives by climate change, and explain how the world can build a carbon neutral global economy by focusing on the opportunities provided by clean technology, “in order to defeat climate change and overcome the fossil fuel interests trying to prevent progress.”

The University of Copenhagen invites speakers to pass on their experiences and opinions on how to approach challenges concerning sustainability.

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Authorities unwilling to see me contest election, Nasheed tells Foreign Policy

Until last year, Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed was best known for his high-profile advocacy on behalf of small island nations in climate change talks, which included high-profile stunts like holding a cabinet meeting underwater and starring in an acclaimed documentary, writes Joshua Keating for Foreign Policy magazine.

But political reality got in the way in March of last year when he was, he claims, forced from power in a coup.

With all this going on, FP spoke with Nasheed on Wednesday by phone from his office in Male.

FP: Do you believe that you will be able to contest this year’s presidential elections?

Mohamed Nasheed: I don’t think it is certain yet at all. I don’t see the authorities here being willing to accept that. They know they cannot win if we contest. I am unfinished business, because they have to finish me off for their coup to be successful. So there may not let me contest at all.

FP: So what will happen in Maldives if you can’t run?

MN: There’s been a lot of hope among the younger generation that this country can change, that we can change our government though peaceful political activity and through the ballot and not through brute force. A fair amount of people have invested a lot of their life on trying to bring these changes. When they see it vanishing into thin air, there’s bound to be a backlash.

FP: In another recent interview you said, “Usually in a coup you kill the other man, but in this instance I remain an irritant to them.” Does that imply that you fear for your safety?

MN: There are always so many rumors going on in Male. Recently we’ve heard the that the Artur brothers from Armenia, who have a history in Kenya, have been in the Maldives. [The Artur brothers are alleged drug smugglers and hitmen from Armenia who have been implicated in a number of crimes in Kenya. Prime Minister Raila Odinga has accused them of a plot to assassinate him.] The police have commented on it and there’s a very big scheme. There are all sorts of reports coming out related to these too people. There are always reports of murder attempts. Always reports of threats.

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Kandooma Resort signs up to provide water plant to local island

Kandooma Resort in Kaafu Atoll today signed an agreement to provide a 30 tonne water plant to the local island of Guraidhoo as part of a MVR1.5 million (US$97,600) investment by the company.

Resort management signed an agreement with Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) to move forward with the project, which is expected to be completed by year end, according to the Sun Online.

Guraidhoo Council President Hussain Yameen today praised the efforts of the resort in providing funding for the plant, local media reported.

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Kuwait pledges to assist Maldives with infrastructure development

Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber had pledged to assist the Maldives with unspecified infrastructure projects following a meeting yesterday (April 2) with President Dr Mohamed Waheed, according to the President’s Office.

President Waheed met with the amir at the Bayan Palace as part of his official visit to Kuwait.

The president has also met with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and National Assembly Speaker Ali Fahad Al-Rashed during the visit.

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Ibrahim Nasir International Airport reduces jet fuel costs

Ibrahim Nasir International Airport reduced the price of jet fuel from US$1.16 per litre to US$1.14 per liter for international flights and from US$1.14 to US$1.13 for domestic flights, reports local media.

The State Trading Organisation (STO) signed a US$136 million agreement March 31 to provide Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) with jet fuel.

The MACL said the price reduction is a result of the decrease in the product’s cost, which took effect April 1.

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China donates 250,000 energy efficient LED lights to the Maldives

China’s National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) donated 250,000 LED tube lights, amounting to 24 million Chinese Yuan (US$3,869,345), to the Maldivian government to assist with combating negative climate change impacts, reports local media.

The energy efficient LED lights were donated as part of China’s provision of goods to address climate change program.

The Maldives Minister of Environment and Energy, Dr Mariyam Shakeela received the donation presented by China’s NDRC Deputy Director, Mr Meng Xiangyue, on April 1.

Shakeela told Sun Online the lights will be distributed to various islands and the reduced power consumption will save a large percentage of money.

“This is a gratis donation to us from the Chinese Government. We will distribute the lights to all islands in the country. How we will go about this will be announced at a later date,” stated Shakeela.

Shakeela also stated this Chinese government assistance to replace inefficient lights will “play a tremendous role” in reducing electricity demands.

She further “expressed hope” this donation would further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the Maldives and China, in addition to combating climate change impacts.

Bilateral talks between the two governments were held following the donation ceremony to further strengthen climate change cooperation, as well as “discuss approaches, areas and mechanisms for future cooperation,” reads the Ministry of Environment and Energy news statement.

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