Maldivian crewmen stranded in Greece and Malaysia

Eight Maldivians on a cargo ship in Malaysia and four in Greece are stranded, reports Haveeru, after claiming that the shipping company ceased paying them when it was unable to deliver goods to Libya because of the political unrest.

One of the Maldivians stranded in Greece told Haveeru that he had not been paid since December, and was unable to send money home to his family.

“The company keeps on telling us that we will be sent back [to the Maldives] next month. But that next month had never come,” said Moosa Didi, who is on the ‘Al Dhoha 1’ cargo ship, a Naftotrade Shipping vessel unable to transport cement to Libya.

He complained that while the company was providing food, some of it contained pork which the Muslim crew members were unable to eat.

Haveeru also spoke to Maldivians stranded on the vessel ‘Ocean Carrier’, currently in the Malaysian port of Labuan, who claimed that they were running out of food and water and had not been paid for two months.

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Alliance Francaise creates ‘Male Montmatre’ in Sultans Park

The Maldives Alliance Francaise held its Francophonie’s Day today, with painters and poets working in the shade of Sultans Park to create a ‘Male’ Montmartre’ – sans Moulin Rouge.

The day began with a elaborate French brunch on the terrace of the National Library, overlooking the park, with both members and non-members enjoying coffee, croissants and a spectacular array of artisan cheeses from across France.

In the cool of the afternoon, the Le Printemps des poètes (Spring of Poetry) saw the recitation for poetry in Dhivehi, French and English, accompanied by traditional music including the Maldivian flute, dolki and kottafoshi.

School children participated in an creative workshop led by local artists, while this evening at 9:00pm the Alliance Francaise will host a cafe-concert at Seahouse.

President of the Maldives’ Alliance Francaise, Mohamed Ismail ‘Sikka’ Maniku, said this was the second year the organisation had decided to hold a Francophonie Day.

The purpose, he explained, was not only to teach French and celebrate French culture, “but our culture as well.”

“[The Alliance Francaise] is something really good that we have in Male’, because our youth need something much more concrete. They should have a place to go in the evenings,” he said.

“It’s not only about French classes. Youth [in Male’] lack focus. When you open a class it’s full, but after three months the numbers drop – that says a lot. We are trying to see how we can change this culture and show how people can engage with a goal, and keep an end in mind.”

Sikka proposed the idea of a ‘language house’, teaching not only French but other languages such as Spanish and Italian.

“Of course we do our part [and teach French], bu the main thing would be to engage young people, perhaps with a coffee house, so when they come out of lessons there is a place for them to talk,” he suggested.

“It should be a proper institution where people can come and learn a language and a culture. I think a language house is really important right now – we are a country with a service-oriented industry, so when you are able to communicate in another language it makes a huge difference.

“I remember long ago when Kurumba was opened I happened to be at the reception. There was a lady, sweating profusely, who was trying to communicate with the guy at the desk. I suspect he didn’t really know English – this was 1972. But then I realised she was a French lady, and the moment I said ‘Bonjour Madam’, she relaxed. If we want to deal with these people, we must know their language, we must know their culture.”

Sikka’s own introduction to French culture began with a job in Foreign Affairs after he had completed his O’levels in Sri Lanka. With an interest in foreign relations sparked, he returned to complete his A’levels, and on a whim he walked into the French Embassy in Colombo and asked if he could study in France.

“I remember the guy in the embassy asked where the Maldives was,” Sikka recalls. “But he said OK, and a week later he called me to say the French Ambassador wanted to see me. The Ambassador was very interested – and asked me: ‘Why France?’ I said that I had come to know that France was the best place to do study international relations.”

Within a month Sikka had a scholarship: “It was much later that i realised it happened because they were interested in it, I was lucky, and because there was a scholarship not utilised by Sri Lanka at the time I went in for it. The thinking was – ‘since it was not being utilised, why not give it to me?’”

Sikka studied in France for three years and returned to continue working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Later I wasI sent to the Maldives High Commission in Colombo, so my language was kept fresh, as well as the interest. I felt I owed something to both countries because of the opportunities I was given.”

Sikka became consul in France to the Maldives but it was only three years ago that an Alliance Francaise was opened in Male’.

Sikka says he hopes Maldivians will learn to become more connected to their own culture.

“Many people are probably not enough connected, for so many reasons,” he says. “We don’t learn about our own culture. My generation knew a little bit more, and we preserve it. But then there was a period when this was lacking.

“[Cultural education] should start in the schools – students should come more often to places like the museum, should be told what our forefathers did, what their sacrifices were, how they lived. I’m from a generation that knew a big wall around Male’, when there were only a few places you could enter. And once when I returned from school holidays there was no more wall.”

Among the changes since then, the greatest has been the recent tranisition to democracy, he says.

“A lot of us suffered under the old system, by not being in the thought of the government at that period. It was not because people were necessarily against them, but because [the government] had a perception that anyone who did not tow their line was against them. That fear is now gone.”

For more information on the Alliance Francaise in Male’ and its activities, visit http://afmaldives.org/

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Police retain four suspects in custody as “Facebook blackmail” investigation continues

Police are monitoring four individuals suspected of involvement in the alleged blackmail of several political figures though graphic images obtained via social network site Facebook, as they press ahead with the case.

The Maldives Police Service today confirmed that out of the remaining seven suspects held for questioning over the investigation, three had now been released, while another three had been put under house arrest, leaving one individual in police custody.

The case first came to light in February, when police revealed that 14 individuals including a minor had been arrested on suspicion of obtaining hundreds of nude pictures and videos that were stored on computers and external hard drives.  It was alleged that these images had been obtained through fake Facebook profiles that used the identical image of a young woman.

Police said at the time that two profiles with the names of ‘Lyshiaa Limanom’ and ‘Angelic Sharrown’ respectively were used by the suspects to gather files of individuals pictured in some cases performing explicit acts in the presence of minors. Investigators stated that they would also be investigating people pictured in the files for committing crimes.

Speaking today to Minivan News, Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam claimed that despite the release of three suspects, the investigation was “very much continuing” with additional suspects now wanted for questioning.

However, he added that due the “complicated” nature of the case, which relates to allegations of public indecency, police have said that they remain unable to reveal further details of advances that may have been made until the investigation was concluded.

Shiyam added that this could still potentially include actions being taken against any individuals depicted in the seized files if they are found to be in violation of state laws. Unconfirmed reports allege the possible involvement of civil servants and parliamentarians.

“We really can’t say anything yet [about the case],” he said. “However, once the investigation has been completed, we will be sending information to the Prosecutor General’s Office on who to charge with possible offences.”

No arrests have been made in the case as yet, though it was revealed last month that a senior civil servant working at Male’ Municipality has been suspended by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), reportedly in connection to an explicit video obtained by police during the investigation.

CSC Commissioner Fahmy Hassan confirmed to Minivan News at the time that the civil servant had been suspended pending an investigation into the offending video, which had been leaked to the internet and reported to the CSC.

The police investigation has not been without controversy though, with the editor of local newspaper Haveeru questioning the motivation of law enforcement officials in the country over the questioning of two of its journalists.  The questioning was said to concern the identity of sources used in a story said that reportedly identified persons within some of the images and videos.

Haveeru Editor Moosa Latheef told Minivan News that although police had acted politely and professionally in questioning two of its journalists, he believed there was the possibility that the actions taken against his staff could have been “politically motivated” to protect certain reputations.

Police officials responded at the time to the allegations by claiming that the journalists’ questioning was not a ‘political attack’ on media freedom, but a means to try and aid its investigations through interviewing the unnamed sources in the article.

Haveeru said that its journalists had not given the identities of the sources used in the article to police.

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Samsung introduces ‘Maldives’ air conditioner

Samsung Electronics unveiled a new air conditioner called ‘the Maldives’ this month specifically designed for South Asian Countries with advanced air cooling technology that can reduce energy usage by up to 60 percent.

A press statement from the global electronics leader explains that the new air conditioner features “Double Saving” technology and an enhanced purifying system.

“When viruses come into contact with the Maldives systems, the chemical reaction with Samsung’s Virus Doctor technology converts bacteria into harmless water vapor. Combined with the Full HD Filter, this technology can eliminate up to 80 percent of dust and bacteria,” said Mr. Chang Wan Hong, executive vice president of the Samsung Digital Appliances business. “With continued focus on sophisticated technology and design, Samsung’s Digital Air Solutions products enable consumers to lead healthier, more eco-friendly lifestyles.”

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Less than 300 attend first DRP-DQP joint rally

No more than 250 people attended Thursday night’s joint rally held by the splintered main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and new coalition partner Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP), according to newspaper Haveeru.

An unnamed DRP council member told the local daily that the low turnout showed “how fast political realities are changing.”

Last week the DRP’s ‘Gayoom faction’ had called on the party’s members to shun the rally held by DRP Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali’s faction.

Former Deputy Leader Umar Naseer claimed that the rally exposed “showed Thasmeen and [DQP Leader] Dr Hassan Saeed’s real size.”

“Kalafaanu is the smallest venue in Male’ for political rallies,” said Umar. “When they can’t gather 300 people there, their real size has been seen.”

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Government to guarantee loans for unfinished homes in Male’

Discussions are underway between the Housing Ministry and Finance Ministry to establish a mechanism to provide government loan guarantees for unfinished homes in Male’, President Mohamed Nasheed announced Friday in his weekly radio address.

President Nasheed said that an announcement will be made this week to invite applicants to seek loan assistance under the programme.

Of the 1,500 construction permits issued for Male’ from 2008 to date, said Nasheed, construction work has yet to begin on 47 percent of the houses. Work had ceased for 20 percent more while only 33 percent of homes reached completion.

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Court hears evidence in Sheereen murder case

Video footage, phone recordings and DNA samples were presented at last week’s hearing of the murder case of Mariyam Sheereen, who was found dead under a stack of cement bags in a house under construction in the capital Male’.

At the Criminal Court hearing, police showed CCTV footage from January 2, 2010 of the defendant Mohamed Najah dragging a large bag behind him after allegedly dumping Sheereen’s body.

Moreover, police testified that DNA samples from the bag matched Sheereen’s.

Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed adjourned the hearing after ordering both the prosecution and the defendant to present closing statements at the next court date.

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ACC request MPs’ financial statement

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has requested an MPs’ financial statement in connection with a case the commission is currently investigating, reports Haveeru.

The ACC declined to reveal either the identity of the MP involved or the nature of the case.

According to local daily Haveeru, the parliamentary Ethics Committee has decided not to provide financial statements unless ordered to do so by a court of law.

Some MPs however revealed that the matter will be brought to the floor in the coming week for a decision by the full Majlis.

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Police begin search for escaped convict

Police have begun a search operation for fugitive Abdulla Mujthaba, Ma. Aafaluge, who escaped through a window at the Family Court last Sunday.

Mujthaba, convicted on multiple drug-related charges, was brought to Male’ for his divorce proceedings.

According to police, Mujthaba had escaped from prison more than once in the past and is likely to change his appearance.

Police urged anyone with information on the escaped convict to immediately report the matter to police.

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