Category: News in Brief

President ratifies revisions to tourism and tax legislation

President Abdulla Yameen has ratified revisions to the Maldives Tourism Act and the Goods and Services Act today.

The amendments were passed at an extraordinary sitting of the People’s Majlis and will allow the government to hike Tourism Goods and Services Tax (T-GST) from 8 to 12 percent starting in November this year.

The US$8 bed tax will restart in February and will continue until November. The government will also be able to collect resort lease extension fees in a lump sum within two years.

The Finance Ministry had initially estimated that new revenue-raising measures would bring in MVR3.4 billion (US$224 million).

However, amendments were not passed as per the ministry’s proposals, and Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad has said “numbers will not match” in the budget.

Additional revenue raising measures include levying a 6 percent tax on telecommunications, increasing airport departure fees to US$25, leasing out 12 islands for resort development, and revising import duties.

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Police to oversee security at IGM Hospital

A special constabulary force is to oversee security at the state owned Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

Assistant Commissioner of Police Hussein Adam and IGMH Project Director Ahmed Ali signed the MOU at a ceremony held this morning.

The arrangement was initially announced last month, with the force’s special constabulary being brought in to resolve ongoing security issues at the public hospital.

“Everyone agrees that IGMH is in dire need of stronger security. We had some thieves walk out with our fundbox, we had keys stolen, we have had our doctors threatened…we absolutely are in need of taking stronger security measures,” IGMH’s Deputy CEO Mohamed Habeeb told Minivan News in January.

Under the MOU, police will provide security around the clock, protect clients, stop thefts and muggings in the hospital premises and will take action against any individual who threatens hospital staff.

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Three arrested from MP Jabir’s house with illegal narcotics and alcohol

The Maldives Police Services raided opposition MP Abdulla Jabir’s house in Malé and arrested three individuals for possession of illegal narcotics and alcohol.

Local media report that Jabir does not live in the building.

The raid was carried out under a court warrant on Wednesday night.

The three arrested are a 24 year old man, a 27 year old man, and a 23 year old woman. The police found one bottle of alcohol, one empty bottle of alcohol, four bottles containing narcotics, and one rubber packed containing narcotics.

On Wednesday, the police found three packets thought to contain narcotics in Gaa Dhaal Atoll Faresmathoda Island. No arrests were made.

On the same day, the police arrested a 21-year-old man in Kaafu atoll, Kaashidhoo island, with 14 folded paper pieces containing narcotics. Three men in Kaafu atoll, Guraidhoo Island, were also arrested with 39 rubber packets containing narcotics.

On Tuesday night, the police arrested a 22-year-old man from Haa Alif atoll, Maarandhoo island, with drugs and poker chips. A woman in Haa Alif Atoll Ihavandhoo had accused the man of sexual harassment on the same day.

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MNDF continues search for lost diver

The Maldives National Defense Forces’ (MNDF) search for a lost diver has entered a second day.

Mohamed Jameel, 41, was reported lost at 11:55 am while he was diving with two others off the southern coast of Villingili Island in Kaafu Atoll. He was on a boat called Vidhuvaru.

Jameel was last seen wearing a black mask, a black dive suit and blue fins.

The MNDF has appealed to all boats traveling in the area to keep an eye out for Jameel, and called on the public to call toll free number 191 or 3395981/ 3398898 if they receive any reports of the missing diver.

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India and Maldives discuss military ties

The Maldivian Chief of Defense Forces Major General Ahmed Shiyam held discussions with Indian Defense Minister AK Antony on strengthening military ties in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Shiyam is currently on a weeklong visit to attend the National Defense College (NDC) Convention and the Defense Expo India 2014.

Meetings were held with India’s Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Marshall, and the Director General of the Indian Coastguard.

According to the Economic Times, the two sides discussed ways to enhance defense ties including steps needed for strengthening the Maldives National Defense Forces (MNDF).

During Defense Minister Mohamed Nazim’s visit to India in December 2013, India assured the Maldives of its assistance in training MNDF officials in the aviation and medical sectors.

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CSC orders public servants to resign before standing for Majlis

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has ordered public servants to resign from their position before contesting parliamentary elections in March.

The CSC sent a circular to all ministries and local council secretariats on Tuesday stating civil servants will be dismissed as per Article 51 (b) of the Civil Service Act if they stand for the People’s Majlis without submitting a resignation.

A CSC statement said civil servants must be independent and standing for any public election would “contravene the civil service’s mandate.”

Candidates for the People’s Majlis are required to submit their applications to the Elections Commission by February 11. Polls have been scheduled for March 22.

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President suspends new pay structure for doctors

President Abdulla Yameen has suspended the implementation of a new salary structure for doctors.

The Ministry of Health and Gender had said the new structure, which came into effect on January 1, would increase doctors’ salaries. However, doctors have claimed their total take-home salaries would decrease by as much as MVR10,000 (US$648).

According to a statement by the President’s Office, the government is now reviewing the complaints regarding the new salary structure and will hold discussions with stakeholders to revise the structure.

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Government completes training program for new entrepreneurs

The Ministry of Economic Development has completed a two-day training program for entrepreneurs who wish to start small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The 25 participants were trained on marketing and planning to minimise risk. The Economic Development Ministry said it intends to hold additional trainings for SMEs in the future.

The ministry has previously held a training for 15 participants in Laamu Atoll.

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Referendum on death penalty not permitted, says Islamic Minister

Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has criticised MP Ahmed Mahloof’s proposal to conduct a public referendum on whether to enforce the death penalty.

“Seeking public opinion on how to proceed on an issue that has been determined by Islamic Shariah cannot be permitted,” the senior Adhaalath Party member tweeted today.

The Progressive Party of Maldives MP yesterday declared his intention to submit a resolution to parliament on holding a public referendum on reintroducing capital punishment.

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