Category: News in Brief

Parliament Speaker announces majority and minority leaders

Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Maseeh has today (June 9) announced the majority and minority leaders for the current term.

Parliament’s majority leader is the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Nihan, member for Villimalé constituency, while the minority leader is opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, member for Hinnavaru constituency.

PPM possesses 38 parliamentary seats, while the MDP currently has 25 seats.

Additionally, the Jumhooree Party – which recently left the ruling coalition – has 15 seats, while government coalition partner Maldives Development Alliance holds 5 seats.

The religious conservative Adhaalath Party currently holds one parliamentary seat, while one independent member – for Madaveli constituency – also sits in parliament.

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Road race competitor dies after heatstroke

A doctor has died after suffering heatstroke during the annual Dhiraagu road race on Friday, reports local media.

Dr Abishek Singh, who worked at Malé’s private ADK Hospital, passed away yesterday (June 8 ) reports Haveeru.

The 8th road race – this year dedicated to raising awareness of child protection issues – involved either one or two circuits of the 5km route around the outskirts of the capital. It was not revealed which category Dr Singh was competing.

3000 runners were said to have registered for this year’s race.

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Government submitting bills to Majlis at “remarkable speed”, says PPM group leader

The government has submitted 12 bills to the People’s Majlis today (June 8), local media has reported.

“The government is submitting bills to the parliament at a remarkable speed. We’ll do our best to table these bills in the parliament,” Progressive Party of Maldives Parliamentary Group Leader Ahmed Nihan told Haveeru today.

Having already submitted special economic zones legislation to the Majlis last week, the government was reported to have today introduced bills addressing the issue of referendums as well as amendments to current laws on GST, child protection, MPs’ income, and immigration.

The scope of the government’s legislative agenda was revealed last March when Attorney General Mohamed Anil unveiled a 207-bill plan comprising 98 new bills and 109 amendments to existing laws.

Of the 207 bills, Anil said the government hoped to submit 65 pieces of legislation to the legislature this year once the 18th parliament was sworn in after the elections on March 22.

The government’s ability to secure new legislation was reduced late last month, however, after the split with it electoral ally the Jumhooree Party (JP).

The loss of the JP’s 15 MPs brings the ruling Progressive Coalition’s majority in the house to just one seat, after last week’s signing of independent MP  Abdulla Khaleel. This excludes the support of unofficial partner the Adhaalath Party’s sole MP.

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Thirty new police recruits sworn in

Thirty new recruits have been sworn-in as police officers at an oath-taking ceremony today, Maldives Police Service has said.

According to police media, their oath was administered by Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed.

Addressing the officers after the ceremony, Judge Abdulla reminded the new recruits that the oath was taken in Allah’s name, advising them to preserve the safety and security of the people in the service of the nation – as stated in the oath.

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Housing Minister Muiz joins MDA

Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz and Deputy Minister Abdulla Muttalib have signed for the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), local media reports.

Muiz had been a senior member of the religious conservative Adhaalath Party (AP).

According to Sun Online – owned by MDA Leader Ahmed Siyam Mohamed – Deputy Minister of Education Ismail Shafeeu and former Kooddoo Fisheries Managing Director Mohamed Muttalib have also signed for the government-aligned party.

Following the expulsion of the Jumhooree Party from the ruling coalition, the MDA remains the only coalition partner of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives.

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Government announces new political appointees

President Abdulla Yameen has this week announced a number of new political appointees.

Abdul Rasheed Nafiz has been reappointed as chairman of the Transport Authority – having been appointed to the post previously during President Mohamed Waheed’s administration before being removedby the current government in January.

Former parliamentarian for the Hanimaadhoo constituency Mohamed Mujuthaz has been appointed to the post of state minister at the President’s Office. Mujuthaz is a member of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Former footballer Shah Ismail has been appointed deputy minister of youth and sports. Shah served as the ministry’s sports advisor during the Waheed administration.

Meanwhile, the PPM’s Secretary General Mohamed Zuhair has been appointed deputy minister of finance and treasury.

Last week Yameen proposed three names as heads of diplomatic missions, nominating Abdulla Hameed as Non-Resident Ambassador to the United ‎Arab Emirates and the State of Kuwait, Dr Mohamed Asim as Non-Resident High Commissioner to ‎Bangladesh, and Ahmed Shiaan as Ambassador to Belgium and the European ‎Union, and as Non-Resident High Commissioner to the United ‎Kingdom.

Both the Bangladesh and the UK missions have had their resident high commissioners removed as the Foreign Ministry seeks to reduce costs.

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BML and Islamic Bank offer advise for Maldivians travelling abroad

The Maldives Islamic Bank has announce provisions to sell US dollars to Maldivians travellign abroad, while the Bank of Maldives (BML) has advised those journeying abroad not to carry cash.

A press release from the Islamic Bank said that, from today (June 5), customers with a valid air ticket and national ID could purchase up to US$500.

A heavy import-export imbalance in the Maldives results in a perennial foreign currency shortage, while a dominant tourism sector – which deals almost exclusively in US dollars – results in a weak local currency.

BML has meanwhile advised customers that using its debit and credit cards abroad is recommended.

BML has found that some customers become frustrated if their debit or credit card appears to have been declined when abroad. Cards will almost always be accepted if the amount being transacted is within the cardholder’s limit.

BML visa debit card holders can currently withdraw up to US$200 a day, while point of sale transactions have a US$400 limit, explained today’s press release.

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Maldivians in Ukraine taken to safety with Indian assistance

Eighteen Maldivians living in Luhansk, Ukraine were today transported to Kiev following escalated violence in the region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.

According to the ministry the transportation was carried out with assistance from the Indian government.

“Following the violence in Ukraine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the situation of Maldivians living there with a special attention to their safety, ” read a statement.

Speaking to ‘Haveeru‘ today, the Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, Rajeev Shahare said that it was proof that “India is always prepared at every instance Maldives seek assistance”.

He told Haveeru that Indian Embassy in Ukraine has arranged accommodation for Maldivians and that if further assistance is required India will provide that as well.

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Vice President to seek investors during China visit

Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed left on an official trip to China yesterday evening (June 4).

During the visit, Jameel will attend the 2nd China-South Asia Expo and the 9th China-South Asia Business Forum, revealed the President’s Office. Jameel is also scheduled to meet Vice Premier of China, H.E Wang Yang. ‎

Prior to his departure, Jameel told press that he would meet with members of the Chinese business community in order to find potential investors for his government’s proposed development projects.

President Abdulla Yameen has promised a number of ‘mega-projects’ during his term, pledging legislation to create a more welcoming investor climate, and organising a landmark investment forum in Singapore in April in order to find potential foreign investors.

The projects showcased in Singapore included the Ihavandhippolhu Integrated Development Project, the expansion of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, the relocation and expansion of the existing central port, and exploration for oil and gas.

During his state visit to Japan in April, Yameen also met with prominent businessmen, economists, and industrialists.

Jameel will discuss the government’s plans with the Chinese Government, which was said to be keen to hear about the plans.

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