Category: News in Brief

US embassy donates books worth US$13,000 in Gnaviyani atoll

The US Embassy, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, has delivered US$13,000 (MVR201,000) worth of books to the Gnyaviyani Atoll Education Center in Fuvahmulah.

“These books, aimed at primary and secondary grades, will help teachers and students develop their English language skills so they can enhance their opportunities for further education and a dynamic future,” said Ambassador Michele Sison at a ceremony held yesterday (March 2).

“We are proud to support the success of Maldivian students through the friendship and goodwill of the American people,” she continued.

An embassy press release revealed that yesterday’s donation was the first of eleven planned for the outer atolls. The donation was made possible by the NGOs Spirit of America and the Asia Foundation.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Elections will go ahead, even without voters list signatures: EC President

The People’s Majlis elections scheduled for 22 March will be held as planned, the Elections Commission (EC) President Fuwad Thowfeek has said.

Speaking about the election on Television Maldives’ ‘Raaje Miadhu’ programme, Thowfeek said that he hoped all candidates would sign the lists, but that even if they did not the elections would be held regardless.

“I don’t believe we should bring any change to the election. So it will be held as planned,” he said.

The voter list signatures mandated by the Supreme Court were not obtained during the recent local council elections held in January.

Approval of voter lists by all candidates was mandated by the Supreme Court guidelines in the verdict annulling the first round of the presidential election held in September 2013.

The EC has described these guidelines as “restrictive”while the court have been criticised by the United Nations for “subverting the democratic process” in the Maldives with “onerous” and “difficult to satisfy” guidelines.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Hajj Corporation reaches quota limit, begins registration for 2015

The Hajj Corporation has reached the limit of its quota of 370 slots for this year’s Hajj pilgrims as hundreds continued to queue outside its registration offices in Dharubaaruge.

The announcement that the limit has been reached in the early hours of Tuesday led to voices of discord among the hundreds in line. Police later assisted in dispersing the crowds of would-be pilgrims gathered at the location.

The state owned Hajj Corporation has reserved 30 of the 400 slots it received – half of the total quota allowed to the Maldives from the Saudi Arabian government – for the security forces and other officials who will be performing Hajj while assisting pilgrims.

The remaining 400 slots are reserved for those who wish to apply to join the pilgrimage through private hajj groups, though the Anti Corruption Commission has called for the groups’ bidding process to be revised.

Each pilgrim needs to pay MVR 69,965 (US$4,537) as total payment to the Hajj Corporation. Those who have previously performed the Hajj pilgrimage are not eligible to apply via the state corporation.

On Tuesday morning, the Hajj Corporation commenced accepting applications and payments from those who wishes to perform Hajj pilgrimage in the next year.

Under a programme termed ‘Long term initiative to fulfill Hajj pilgrimage saving package’, the corporation will be accepting applications for 2015 until 2pm on Wednesday afternoon (March 5).

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Police seize drugs worth over MVR70,000

Police have arrested a 19-year-old man from the island of Thinadhoo in Gaaf Dhaalu atoll with 271 cellophane packets containing illicit narcotics.

According to police media, the street value of the drugs is estimated to be in excess of MVR70,000 (US$4,540).

The suspect was taken into custody around 10:00am this morning by the Thinadhoo police station following intelligence information indicating that he was peddling drugs.

The drugs were found in the suspect’s room, which was raided by police with a search warrant.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

MP Alhan Fahmy returns to Malé following stabbing

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Alhan Fahmy has returned to the Maldives after recuperating in Sri Lanka following a stab attack in Malé last month.

Local media reported that the Feydhoo constituency member returned yesterday, walking with a crutch following initial fears that the wound received to his back may have caused permanent paralysis.

Alhan, set to contest for his parliamentary seat as an independent later this month, is said to be planning a press conference in the near future, reported Haveeru.

The Civil Court last week accepted the MP’s request to look into the MDP’s Feydhoo primary contest – which took place just days before the attack. Alhan has claimed the vote was fraudulent.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Parliament’s newly appointed security officers commence duties

Despite 25 independent security officers having commenced work in the Majlis, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) is still continuing to provide security services to the Majlis, parliament has said.

The decision to appoint a Serjeant at Arms to the People’s Majlis was made shortly after an MP was forcefully removed from the premises last October on the orders of the Supreme Court.

Majlis Speaker Abdulla Shahid said at the the time that the MNDF – which has traditionally overseen security at the Majlis – had ignored his orders on the day of the incident.

Parliament’s Consul General Ahmed Mohamed has declined to comment on the respective mandates of the private and MNDF security officers, according to local media.

The Defence Ministry has criticised the establishment of an independent security unit, claiming that the MNDF is required by the constitution to provide such services.

The 25 officers were selected from among 267 applicants. The parliament announced that inclusive of allowances, each officer would be earning a monthly salary of MVR 14,350.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Marijuana plant found in Noonu Maafaru

A marijuana plant was discovered in Noonu Maafaru yesterday from a fenced-in area designated for developing a regional airport.

A team from the Manadhoo police station went to Maafaru upon receiving information of the plant on Saturday morning.

The investigating team said that the plant was five-feet tall. The case is under investigation by the Manadhoo police station.

Earlier this month, a marijuana plant was found in the artificial beach area of the capital Male’.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Government seeking 11 employees for vice president’s residence

A job announcement has been published in the government gazette seeking 11 employees for the vice president’s residence.

The 11 employees sought for Hilaaleege – which are considered political rather than civil service posts – include two assistant chefs, three waiters, three maids, and three receptionists.

The assistant chefs will receive a monthly income of more than MVR8,000 whilst the waiters and maids will receive over MVR7,000.

Immediately after being sworn in on November 17, President Yameen announced that he and his vice president – Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed –  would be fulfilling his campaign promise of only taking half of the MVR100,000 (US$6500) salary afforded to the head of state.

“The reason behind this is that Dr Jameel and I both live a simple life. No matter what has been said about us we are not wealthy. We want to be an example to others and lead by example,” Yameen said.

President Yameen also opted not to move into the president’s official residence of Muleeage, opting instead to remain in his personal residence.

The number of political appointees under the current administration has not been made public.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Islamic minister visits Saudi Arabia for international conference

Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has today left for Saudi Arabia on an official trip.

According to the Islamic Ministry, Minister Shaheem will be attending the International Conference on Unity of the Islamic Ummah, which is to be held in Mecca on March 2 and 3.

The conference will be attended by several Islamic organisations and the islamic ministers of numerous islamic states. The guest of honour of the event is to be Saudi Arabian King Abdulla Bin Abdul Azeez Al Saud.

The ministry further revealed that Shaheem will be seeking aid and assistance for Islam-related projects planned for the Maldives.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)