Category: News in Brief

Parliament spends Rf 127,000 a month feeding MPs and staff

Local newspaper Haveeru has reported that parliament spends Rf127,000 per month (US$10,000) feeding MPs and staff.

Of this, parliament spends Rf 54, 000 per month (US$4200) on lunches for MPs and staff responsible for organising the 12 sittings a month.

In January members of parliament voted themselves a total monthly salary increase from US$4863 to US$7083 under the MP Privileges Bill, an increase that would have seen them earning on par with MPs in Sweden.

President Nasheed refused to ratify the bill and returned it to parliament.

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STO denies chairman abused corporate credit card privilege

The State Trading Organisation (STO) has denied local media reports that Chairman Farooq Umar used the government company’s corporate credit card for personal use.

A press statement released yesterday explains that corporate credit cards were issued to senior executives after approval by the board of directors “to cover necessary expenses.”

“Although corporate credit cards were made for STO’s necessary expenses, the credit card policy approved by the board of directors allows personal use in cases of emergency or necessity,” it reads, adding that in such cases the policy was for executives to reimburse the company at the end of the month.

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Police celebrate 78th anniversary

Maldives Police Service celebrated its 78th anniversary yesterday with flag hoisting ceremonies across the country, the unveiling of a new police song and donations to Care Society and the Children’s Home in Villigili.

In separate functions in the morning, Sub-Inspector Ahmed Aleem of the Family and Child Protection Unit donated material to the Villigli orphanage while Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Muneer made donations to Care Society.

Police officers visited both facilities and inquired after the orphans and children with special needs.

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Islamic Foundation holding lecture on “status of women”

The Islamic Foundation of the Maldives (IFM) is organising a public lecture on April 1, 2011 (Friday) “to explain the noble status of women in Islam.”

The lecture will be delivered by Al-Usthaz Ahmed Nizam at the Nalahiya Hotel in Malé, and will be broadcast live on Capital Radio (93.6 FM) at 8.45pm.

The Islamic Foundation stated that in the lecture Usthaz Nizam will clarify “the rights and privileges given to women in Islam long before western democracy came into being.”

In the lecture Usthaz Nizam “will also explain the obligations of Muslim women towards their family and the society in general.”

Usthaz Nizam is a prominent lecturer who completed his higher studies at Al-Azhar University, Egypt, the Islamic Foundation said.

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Dr Shaheed appointed to Presidential Commission

Former Foreign Minister Dr Ahmed Shaheed has been appointed to the Presidential Commission formed in 2009 to investigate corruption under the former government two days after he was also appointed Foreign Policy Advisor to the President.

In other senior appointments this week, President Mohamed Nasheed promoted Ibrahim Riffath to the vacant Solicitor General post and Aishath Bisham to Deputy Solicitor General at the Attorney General’s Office.

The recent ministerial appointees – State Minister Ahmed Naseem as Foreign Minister and former Solicitor General Abdulla Muizz as Attorney General – were meanwhile sent for parliamentary approval today.

Following parliament’s rejection of Shaheed’s reappointment as Foreign Minister last November, he served as the spokesperson for the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) campaign ahead of last month’s local council elections.

Apart from Dr Shaheed, the Presidential Commission now includes Male’ Mayor “Sarangu” Adam Manik, Islamic Affairs State Minister and Adhaalath Party President Hussein Rasheed Ahmed, Principal Collector of Customs Mohamed Aswan, and human rights lawyer Abdulla Haseen.

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Government to subsidise higher secondary education

The government will subsidise examination fees and other school fees for all students pursuing higher secondary education in the Maldives, Education Minister Shifa Mohamed has announced.

At a press conference yesterday, Shifa explained that the government will completely cover school fees and examination fees for A’ Level students at private schools.

According to the Education Ministry, over 1,400 students passed five O’ Level subjects last year while 75o students from schools in Male’ passed with high enough grades to pursue higher secondary education.

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MDP councillor elected chair of tied Gaaf Alif Atoll Council after ten votes

Ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Councillor Haroun Rasheed has been elected as chair of the Gaaf Alif Atoll Council today on the tenth attempt after all previous votes ended in ties.

The six-member atoll council has three MDP councillors and three opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) councillors.

According to SunFM, the ruling party won the chair after one DRP councillor, Massood Ahmed, voted against the party line.

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Three parties bid for Male’ region waste disposal

Three parties have submitted bid proposals to establish a waste disposal system for the Greater Male’ Region, according to the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development.

A press release by the ministry this week reveals the three companies as UPL Environment Engineers Pvt Ltd, Ramki Enviro-Engineers Ltd and Organic Groups Plc.

An evaluation committee comprising of representatives from Male’ City Council, the Environment Protection Agency and the Economic Development Ministry will study the proposals and award the contract on April 30.

The successful bid winners will take over garbage collection, transport, treatment and disposal of over 400 tons of waste produced in the Male’ region daily.

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Actors and entertainers join MDP

A number of local film-stars and singers signed up for the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) at a rally at Artificial Beach last night.

Among the 50 new members from the entertainment sector are Yousuf Shafeeu (Yuppe), his wife Fathimath Faeela,  “Dharaa” Mohamed Rasheed, Ahmed Nimal, Ali Shifau, Hussein Sobah, Ahmed Sameeu and “Naibuge” Abdullah Shiyam.

Famous actor Yuppe told supporters at the rally that he decided to join MDP because of the “unshakable resolve” of its members as well as the party’s commitment to national development and progress.

MDP also gained control of Faafu Magoodhoo island council when independent councillor Abdulla Rasheed signed for the party yesteday.

Apart from Faafu Nilandhoo, MDP has a majority in all other islands in the atoll.

The ruling party is currently the largest in the country with 44,000 members.

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