Month: June 2010

Islamic education top priority: Moosa Maniku

Islamic education is more highly prioritised than at any other time in Maldivian history, said MDP parliamentary group leader Moosa Maniku during a Majlis debate on a DRP bill to mandate the teaching of Islam and Dhivehi in grades 11 and 12 in the country’s schools.

The DRP bill was proposed for political purposes, said Maniku, and he condemned it. “The constitution very strongly stipulates that Islam as the Maldivian religion and Dhivehi as the Maldivian language shall be protected,” he said. “That’s for all Maldivians, and not for the government alone or for students alone. We do not need another law to respect Islam and Dhivehi in this country. There is no time in our history when Islamic scholars were as free as they are now.”

Laws which aim to limit the policy options for the government are unacceptable, said Maniku, and there are rights which have to be given to people but they cannot be delivered as there is no legal infrastructure for that to happen. It will be better if the Majlis could help people in realising those rights, he said, and the current debate was a waste of the Majlis’ precious time.

DRP members spoke in favour of the bill during the debate. Abdul Azeez Jamaal Aboobakur, a co-sponsor of the bill , said that he had submitted the bill in a personal capacity and his aim was not political. It is important to protect the main pillars of Maldivian society from imminent threats and dangers, he said.

The bill was accepted for further debate and sent to the Majlis committee for national development.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

MDP government misleads the public and lacks sincerity: DRP leader Thasmeen

The current MDP administration misleads the people and lacks sincerity, said DRP MP and leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali at a public DRP meeting at the Artificial Beach in Male. The previous administration was the exact opposite and did not mislead the public and was sincere and cared more for the people, Thasmeen said.

After almost two years in office, the MDP government had failed to fulfil any of its electoral pledges, the DRP leader said, and he listed the broken pledges – higher electricity tariffs, reductions to civil servants pay, increases in the cost of living, and reduced job opportunities.

Thasmeen said the current government is very propagandist, and its most recent effort was to discredit DRP’s honorary leader Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom by labelling him as corrupt. Thasmeen defended his former boss as a very sincere and honest man.

At the meeting, Ali Waheed, DRP’s deputy leader, said that former President Maumoon ruled the country for 30 years with sincerity, and the DRP will take legal action against anyone who says otherwise. The meeting also condemned the article by the New York Times alleging corruption of US$400 million during the previous administration and also criticised Miadhu Daily for carrying the story in the local media.

Ibrahim Shareef, another deputy leader of the party, criticised Ahmed Abdulla, CEO of Miadhu Daily, and he said the MDP administration was dictatorial.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Jumhooree Party to Protest Airport Privatisation: Gasim

The Jumhooree party, lead by Gasim Ibrahim, MP for Maamingili and one of the richest men in the Maldives, is protesting against government plans to privatise the Male’ International Airport.

The party will issue a joint declaration with other political parties and NGOs regarding the matter. The party, together with other political parties, will also hold a demonstration against privatisation. The decision was made during its council meeting held on 22 June 2010.

The airport was a major people’s investment and a key asset, said Gasim who claims that the money needed for the development could be easily raised through financial institutions without privatisation. Gasim also mentioned security concerns for the airport.

Gasim also said such decisions should not be taken just to get some money for the government budget. He warned that once the term of the contract expires, the company would sell the airport back to government at a price that government can never pay, and the company would own the airport forever.

Gasim called for people to object the decision by the government. The Jumhooree party has sent a letter to President Nasheed informing him of its concerns, and the Jumhooree party has also made a submission to the Majlis about the matter.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Five people arrested for assault in Gan island, Laamu atoll

Five people have been arrested for attacking two people with sharp objects at 7.55 p.m. last night at Thundee ward in Gan island, Laamu atoll.

The victims were 21 years and 20 years old, and both suffered serious injuries to the face and head. They were taken to Gan Regional Hospital by the police.

The young men were coming out of the mosque after prayers when a group of people on seven motorcycles attacked them, say the police, who are searching for others believed to have been involved in the assault.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Five people assaulted in Hithadhoo house

Five people have been injured in a night time assault at Feeneez house in Hithadhoo island, Seenu (Addu) atoll. The victims were watching the World Cup at 12.40 a.m. when they were attacked with sharp objects and wooden sticks.

They received various injuries including cuts. Three of the victims have been released after treatment at the Hithadhoo Regional Hospital. The other two are under observation due to the severity of their wounds.

The police have apprehended five people suspected of being involved in the assault. All the suspects have criminal records for theft, assault, looting and other crimes.

Police investigations are continuing.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Closer scrutiny of Maldives Human Rights performance now, warns foreign minister Shaheed

Membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council will bring close scrutiny of the country’s human rights performance, warned foreign minister Shaheed as the Maldives takes its seat on the 47 member Council.

Speaking at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the foreign minister said it was the first time Maldives has held a seat on a UN Council, and he promised the Maldivian government was determined to use its three-year membership to promote human rights abroad and to consolidate democracy at home.

The Human Rights Council is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. The Council was created by the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006. The Maldives has been active on the Council as an observer since 2006 through its Permanent Mission in Geneva and stood for a seat in elections earlier this year, securing 185 votes – the highest number in the history of the UN human rights body.

The Human Rights Council meets three times a year, in September, March and June. During its membership, the Maldives will focus on torture prevention, women’s rights, children’s rights, environmental rights, and the rights of persons with disabilities.

“It is therefore vital that the Maldives practises what it preaches and lives up to the highest international human rights standards as well as to its legal obligations under international human rights law,” said the foreign minister.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Beta Thalassemia and Healthcare Assistance for Maldives from Italy

The Abruzzo region of Italy, 50 miles east from Rome, has signed a declaration with the Maldivian government providing increased assistance for the Maldivian health sector.

Each year, the Abruzzo region will provide transplantations for ten Maldivians with Beta Thalassemia.

The Abruzzo region and the government of Maldives will also share knowledge and best practices in healthcare, Beta Thalassaemia programs and consultations on Thalassaemia projects in the Maldives.

The agreement was signed during President Nasheed’s ongoing visit to Italy.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Clean Energy Viable and Better for Security: President Nasheed

Low carbon development is both possible and economically viable, said President Nasheed in a speech at the “International Conference on Climate, Energy Environment: How to Build a New Global Deal” in Rome.

The climate issue must be understood as an economic, financial and security issue, he said. Climate change was a very real threat to humanity but there was “an organised scheme” in many developed countries against climate change.

Climate deniers were able to stop the momentum gained after Copenhagen, the President claimed, and the only way to regain the momentum was 60s style street action. “Soon after Copenhagen, sceptics started working,” he said.

“We have more than 16 islands where people have to be relocated, our fresh water is being contaminated… our ocean temperatures are rising and therefore our fish stocks are dwindling,” said the President.

The conference was organised by the Centre for American Progress, and the Institute of European Democrats and Sustainable Future Centre.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)