Month: April 2011

JAICA completes eight harbours, three sewerage systems

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA) has completed eight harbours and three sewerage systems in islands devastated by the 2004 Asian tsunami.

The infrastructure was officially handed over to the government at a ceremony held at Dharubaaruge (convention centre) yesterday to mark the completion of the projects, which began in July 2009.

Harbours were built and repaired in Shaviyani Funadhoo, Thaa Dhiyamigili, Laamu Isdhoo, Laamu Fonadhoo, Gaaf Dhaal Dhandhoo and the capital Male’.

Sewerage systems were established in Baa Eydhafushi, Shaviyani Funadhoo and Meemu Muli.

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Former ‘Mr Maldives’ wins unfair dismissal case

The Civil Court ordered the Maldives Police Service yesterday to reinstate Constable Husham Hameed to his post after the former ‘Mr Maldives’ was fired last year on suspicion of sexually assaulting a young woman inside a police car.

According to newspaper Haveeru, Judge Aisha Shujoon ruled that the police disciplinary committee’s decision to dismiss Husham was both inconsistent with section 24(b) of police regulations and disproportionate to the alleged offence.

The judge added that the committee’s action against Husham violated his rights under articles 37 and 38 of the constitution, ordering police to reinstate Husham within 15 days and pay his lost salary and allowances in 30 days.

The three other police officers dismissed along with Husham – Corporal Mohamed Fayaz, Corporal Ali Nasheed and Chief Inspector Risheef Thoha – have ongoing unfair dismissal cases at the Civil Court.

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Treasury Bills debt stands at over a third of annual budget: report

Government debt accrued through the sale of Treasury Bills to banks and commercial enterprises in the country is estimated to be equivalent to more than a third of this year’s Rf12bn national budget, according to Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) figures.

Haveeru has reported that at present, Rf5bn of debt has been generated through the MMA’s sale of T-Bills, which are sold frequently to national businesses at interest rates recently set around 4.57 percent, 5.34 percent and 5.53 percent.

According to the report, Treasury Bills have been sold by the government since September 2006 initially as a short-term attempt to settle outstanding national debt.  An estimated Rf1.3bn is expected to be raised through the sale of T-Bills under the current national budget.

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British High Commission holding scholarship information session

The British High Commission and the British Council are hosting a seminar to answer questions about the Chevening Scholarship programme on April 7, 2011 (tonight) from 8:00-9:00pm in the Museum building on Medhuziyaaraih Magu.

This scheme is open to Maldivians wishing to begin studies in the UK from September 2011.

Chevening scholarships are prestigious awards that provide full grants for Maldivians to study at a UK institution of their choice, the High Commission said in a statement. The scholarship covers flights to the UK, course fees and all expenses associated with study, including accommodation and living costs.

The aim of the scheme is to enable current and future leaders to study in the UK and make a positive contribution to their home country after completing their studies. Students who want a Chevening Scholarship need to apply online before 30 April 2011.

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Updated: Saturn Watch back by popular demand

The Maldives Association for the Advancement of Science (MAAS) and Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) will hold a second viewing of Saturn on Thursday April 7 from 8pm onwards near the old stage east of the volleyball court nearby the Artificial Beach.

The first ‘Beauty Without Borders – Saturn Watch’ was held on Saturday, 2nd April 2011 as a start-off celebration for the Global Astronomy Month 2011 (GAM2011), MAAS said in a statement.

“Inspired by the night sky and its power to intrigue and bring people together, GAM2011 is an initiative of Astronomers Without Borders that brings new ideas, new opportunities and enthusiasts together worldwide to celebrate ‘One People, One Sky’,” MAAS said.

To celebrate this event of unity and curiosity in the Maldives, MAAS will be hosting a number of events during the month of April. The Saturn Watch rerun will be held on Thursday, April 7 from 8:00pm onwards at the old stage area east of the beach volley court near the artificial beach.

“Similar to the previous event, the public will have the opportunity to take a closer look at the ringed beauty through a telescope. During the event MAAS will give presentations about the planet Saturn and its moons,” said Ahid Rasheed, founder member of MAAS and AWB National Coordinator for Maldives.

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Thief banished for 27 years serving as DRP Maafaru councillor

A group of Shaviyani Maafaru islanders have lodged complaints at the Elections Commission (EC) and the Supreme Court claiming that an opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) candidate elected to island council had been sentenced 27-years banishment to Maafaru in 1977.

An islander told newspaper Haveeru that Councillor Ibahim Manik had changed his address from Machangoalhi Kishmireege in Male’ to Maafaru Abaage to become eligible and that a complaint at the EC before the election had been dismissed.

An EC official meanwhile explained that the documents proving Manik’s sentence had been submitted after the complaints deadline elapsed, adding that the EC had been unable to find evidence because of the changed address.

The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has a majority of seats in the Maafaru council.

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Addu City blackout lasts almost 24-hours

Electricity has been restored to the five interconnected islands of Addu City last night, almost 24-hours after damage to high-voltage cables caused a day-long blackout in the southernmost atoll.

Addu City Mayor Abdulla Sodiq told Sun Online that he has urged citizens to seek damages and compensation – amounting to “millions of rufiyaa” – from the Southern Utilities Company, which provides electricity to the five islands through a centralised power grid.

Southern Utilities Company Chairman Ahmed Zareer explained that the cables had been replaced by late afternoon yesterday. Although the blackout started at around 6.45pm on Monday, electricity had come back on sporadically for short periods.

Local daily Haveeru meanwhile reported yesterday that the cries of children unable to sleep rang out through the islands while business owners feared an outbreak of burglary and looting. Schools were closed on Monday and many people complained they were unable to even use the shower.

A crowd of protesters reportedly gathered outside the Utility Company office in Maradhoo-Feydhoo, throwing stones and demanding the resignation of its board of directors.

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Parliament overrides presidential veto on capital island legislation

Parliament today voted through a bill on determining atoll capital islands for a second time after President Mohamed Nasheed had returned the legislation for reconsideration.

A motion proposed by opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) MP Ali Azim to pass the bill again without any changes received 39 votes in favour from the 68 MPs present and voting, the bare minimum required to override a presidential veto.

Under article 91(b), a bill returned for reconsideration and passed by a majority of total membership of parliament has to be “assented by the President and published in the government gazette.”

According to the bill, atoll capital islands listed in the appendix of the constitution when it was ratified on August 7, 2008 shall retain their status unless decided otherwise by a two-thirds majority of an atoll council and approved through a public referendum.

The legislation also lays out a number of steps to be completed before relocation could be considered by atoll councils.

Following the local council elections in February, disputes over atoll administrative centres in Shaviyani and Kaafu atolls led to a tense standoff between islanders and riot police.

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MP Muthalib reissues death sentence amendment to parliament

Jumhooree Party (JP) MP Ibrahim Muthalib has resubmitted an amendment to the Clemency Act that if passed would require any death sentence then upheld by the Supreme Court to be carried out.

Muthalib is the second MP to table a motion to change the Clemency Act after the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) Ahmed Rasheed last month forwarded similar amendments.  Rasheed later withdrew these amendments from parliament though over concerns about the need for new regulations like the Penal Code to be passed.

Currently, death penalties imposed within the Maldives are able to be reduced to a 25 years prison sentence by the president under the Clemency Act. In November 2010, the Criminal Court of the Maldives issued a death sentence to a person found guilty of murder. However the last person to actually be judicially executed was Hakim Didi in 1953, who was executed by firing squad after being found guilty of consipiracy to murder using black magic.

MP Muthalib told Minivan News that the purpose of the latest amendment was to uphold Islamic Shariah in the Maldives.

”[The amendment aims] to avoid human beings from changing the verdict determined by Islamic Shariah,” said Muthalib. ”Its the same bill as presented last time.”

If the amendment gets passed, the president would not then have the authority to grant clemency on persons found guilty of murder, according to the parliamentarian.

The amended bill has been introduced in the parliament and now awaits a preliminary debate by members.

Early last month, MDP MP Ahmed Rasheed presented an amendment to the Clemency Act during a parliamentary session that required the death penalty to be administered without fail in cases where the sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court.

According to MP Rasheed’s proposed amendment, if the Supreme Court upholds a death penalty ruled by any court in the land,  a sentence of execution will be required to be conducted.

The MP said he felt he had to present the amendment because of the increase in assaults and murder cases, which had “forced the living to live amid fear and threats.

In 2010, Rasheed said that 423 cases of assault were sent to Prosecutor General, with 454 cases in 2009 and 104 reported during 2008.

After the preliminary debate was concluded and he was given the opportunity to say the last word on the amendment, Rasheed withdrew the changes he had originally submitted to parliament.

The MDP MP said he withdrew the amendment because other necessary bills related to gang violence such as the Penal Code and Criminal Justice Procedure Bill had yet to be passed.

According to Rasheed, after these bills were passed, he will then re-submit the amendment.

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