Category: News in Brief

President requests parliamentary approval to revise housing project

President Abdulla Yameen has asked parliament to review a previous decision to deny a request to revise a 1,500 housing unit project financed by a Chinese EXIM bank loan.

In December 2012, the previous parliament had denied President Dr Mohamed Waheed’s request to shift 704 housing units originally designated for the southern atolls to Hulhumalé.

An MVR2.5 billion (US$162 million) loan was secured during the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed in 2011 to construct 1,500 housing units in Gaaf Alif, Gaaf Dhaal, Fuvahmulah and Addu City.

In his letter requesting the change – which was read out at today’s sitting – President Yameen stated that the government had conducted a “need assessment” and determined that there was “no need at present” to build more than 796 housing units in the southern atolls.

Since election in November, Yameen has pushed for the development of a ‘youth city’ in Hulhumalé with a population of 50,000 people.

The president’s request was forwarded to the public accounts committee for review by Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed at today’s sitting of parliament.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Maldives National University to start classes for preschool and primary grades

The Maldives National University has announced that it will be providing  English language classes will be held for students in preschool and primary grades.

The programme will start today (July 2) and is scheduled to end on July 24. The classes for primary grades will include writing, listening and speaking skills in the English language.

The preschool sessions are based on the UK brand ‘City and Guild Intensive English Language Programme’.

The entry fee for the programme is MRV750 per student and classes will be held for a duration of four hours every weekday.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

MRDC fined for constructing roads without conducting EIAs

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has fined the Maldives Road Development Corporation (MRDC) by an amount of MVR739,500 for constructing roads in Addu without conducting the prerequisite Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).

The EPA said that it has ordered the MRDC to pay the fine within a period of 30 days.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Five members of Special Constabulary promoted to the police force

The Maldives Police Services have announced the promotion of five persons working in the police reserve force – or Special Constabulary – to full police officers.

Following the change, the police are seeking new recruits for the constabulary.

Police revealed that the five persons were officers from the reserve force who were working as security guards at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Man arrested for stealing bananas

A man has been arrested in the early hours of Wednesday for being caught in the act of stealing bananas from a stall at the local market in capital Malé city.

Police informed media that the arrested man is a local, age 34, who has a previous record of drug abuse.

He was arrested by officers who were patrolling the streets of Malé. Police recovered a number of what are suspected to be stolen bananas from his possession.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

JSC vote to proceed after new voter lists brought no complaints

The Attorney General’s Office announced yesterday (July 1) that it had not received any complaints regarding the voters’ list for the election of a lawyer to the Judicial Services Commission.

The Supreme Court last week amended regulations in order to allow previously judges and MPS – previously excluded – to take part in the election of the legal representative on the judicial watchdog.

Subsequently, the office has announced the list to be the final version, placing the number of eligible voters at a total of 788 persons.

According to the announcement, the election will be held in five other islands in addition to capital city Malé – Ihavandhoo in Haa Alif atoll, Kulhudhuhfushi in Haa Dhaal atoll, Veymandoo in Thaa atoll, Fonadhoo in Laamu atoll, and Villin’gili in Gaafu Alif atoll.

In Malé, voting booths will be placed in Arabiyya School on Chandhanee Magu.

The election is scheduled to be held from 9.30am to 3.30pm on July 13.

Five candidates are registered to contest in the election, including former Deputy Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem, former JSC member Latheefa Gasim, as well as lawyers Mohamed Fareed, Mohamed Faisal, and Anas Abdul Sattar.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Two bills sent to committee following preliminary debate

Two pieces of government-sponsored legislation were sent to committee for further review at today’s sitting of the People’s Majlis.

An amendment proposed by MP Ahmed Assad to abolish the Special Majlis and People’s Majlis MPs’ Salary Act of 1990 was accepted unanimously with 65 votes in favour.

Additionally, an amendment proposed by MP Ali Shah to the Territorial Waters of Maldives Act of 1996 was accepted with 63 votes in favour, one against and two abstentions.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Home Minister’s trial delayed as court decides on change of judge

Home Minister Umar Naseer’s scheduled hearing in his disobedience to order trial was postponed today after the Criminal Court was unable to decide on a request to change the presiding judge.

Haveeru reported that it was not yet clear whether Naseer’s plea to Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed and Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz to remove Judge Abdulla Didi from the case had been granted.

The request came after Judge Didi refused to accept a procedural point raised by Naseer in the previous hearing earlier this month.

Naseer had asked Judge Abdulla Didi to annul Article 8 (a) of the 1968 General Laws under which he is charged, claiming the clause contradicted the freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution.

Didi ruled, however, that Naseer’s claim does not classify as a point of procedure, ordering the trial to continue.

Naseer’s lawyer Adam Asif has refused to proceed with the trial until Didi’s decision on the procedural matter is issued in writing. Asif has said that Naseer intends to appeal the decision.

Didi said he took Naseer’s refusal to proceed with the trial as a refusal to speak in his own defense.

He adjourned the hearing after allowing the state to present video evidence of Naseer’s speech, and said he would hold one more hearing for concluding statements and issue a verdict in a separate hearing.

On June12, Didi had issued an arrest warrant ordering the police to present Naseer at the court after he missed three consecutive hearings while overseas on official business.

If convicted under Article 88 of the penal code, Naseer faces imprisonment, banishment or house arrest not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding MVR150 (US$10).

A similar request for a change of judge was granted to Progressive Coalition leader Ahmed ‘Sun’ Shiyam in May after the Maldivian Development Alliance had objected to the manner of the presiding judge in his alcohol smuggling trial.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Pro-government MPs vote against debating JSC decision on Justice Ali Hameed

Pro-government MPs have voted against a motion without notice submitted by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Imthiyaz Fahmy to debate the Judicial Service Commission’s (JSC) decision last week to clear Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed of misconduct over his alleged appearance in a series of sex tapes.

The early motion – which would have opened the floor to a one-hour debate – was defeated with 44 votes against and 18 in favour at the ongoing sitting of parliament.

Presenting the motion, MP Imthiyaz said the JSC decision was “a permanent stain” on the Maldivian judiciary and an obstacle to judicial reform.

Following the vote, Imthiyaz tweeted:

The presence of a disgraced judge on the Supreme Court bench – who most citizens believe has lost his integrity – threatens the independence of the apex court, adversely affects decisions of lower courts, and robs Maldivian citizens of their constitutionally guaranteed right to a free and fair trial, the party contended in a press statement this week.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)