Category: News in Brief

Gasim and PA conspired to send two DRP MPs abroad, alleges MP Ali Azim

Ali Azim, Mid-Henveiru MP for the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), has alleged that business tycoon and Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim along with DRP’s coalition partner People’s Alliance (PA) conspired to send two DRP MPs abroad ahead of today’s vote on ministerial appointees.

Azim told newspaper Haveeru that the two additional votes would have sufficed to reject Home Minister Hassan Afeef and Transport Minister Adhil Saleem.

The two MPs in question are Ilham Ahmed of the DRP’s Gayoom faction and Velidhoo MP Ali Mohamed.

Azim claimed that DRP’s efforts to bring back the two MPs in time for the vote were unsuccessful.

“Ilham is definitely a member of Zaeem [Maumoon’s] faction,” he said. “It is regrettable that Ilham was not present for a vote on a person that has directly targeted the Zaeem on many occasions. We hope the Zaeem will condemn this.”

In 2009, Home Minister Hassan Afeef, former parliamentary group leader of the now-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party, was found guilty of defaming the former President by claiming that Gayoom had embezzled US$80 million from tsunami relief aid.

PA Deputy Leader Ahmed Nazim denied the DRP’s accusations, claiming that it was DRP Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali that sent away the Velidhoo MP as agreed upon in an alleged secret meeting with President Mohamed Nasheed over the weekend.

DRP Deputy Leader Ilham meanwhile explained that he was in Sri Lanka accompanying his seriously ill six-year old who remains in critical condition at the ICU, adding that he was counselled by former President Gayoom as well as Gasim Ibahim to remain with his family.

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Villigili ballot box recount reveals 49 votes invalidated erroneously

A recount by the Elections Commission (EC) of one ballot box in Gaaf Alif Villigili as ordered by the High Court last week has revealed that 49 votes were erroneously invalidated, reports SunFM.

The case was filed at the High Court by island council candidate Anbaree Anwar Moosa, who was placed eighth with two votes short. Seven councillors were elected to the Villigili island council.

However, Anwar Moosa did not receive any votes from the validated 49 votes.

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Etihad Airways to launch daily flights Male’-Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways has said it will launch daily return flights between Male’ and Abu Dhabi from November 1, using Airbus A320 aircraft.

The airline’s Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said that strong visitor numbers in the premium resort destination had prompted the airline to introduce the new route, subject to government approval, to coincide with the start of the busy European winter season.

“We expect the services will appeal to UAE leisure travellers, as well as customers from our major European markets, particularly with the strong connectivity options on offer and following the additional frequencies that will come online on a number of our key European routes this summer,” he said.

Overnight flights in both directions would allow travellers an extra day in the Maldives, he said.

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Singapore High Commissioner visits Nasheed

High Commissioner of Singapore to the Maldives Dr Chua Yong Hai has visited President Mohamed Nasheed and discussed further cooperation between the two countries.

President Nasheed said that Singapore was an important development partner to the Maldives, and that Maldivians “see Singapore as an exemplary state in all aspects.”

The pair discussed the 20 Singaporean students visiting the Maldives under a student exchange programme run by Singapore.

In a statement, the President’s Office noted that these visits “serve to further strengthen the bond between the peoples of both countries and broaden the worldview of students.”

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President appoints new Attorney General and Foreign Minister

President Mohamed Nasheed has moments ago appointed State Minister Ahmed Naseem, H. Hikifinifenmaage, as Foreign Minister, and Solicitor General Abdulla Muizz, Ma. Dawn Shine, as Attorney General.

The appointments come hours after parliament approved four out of five ministerial appointees, leaving the post of Attorney General vacant.

Housing Minister Mohamed Aslam had been acting Foreign Minister after parliament rejected the reappointment of former Foreign Minister Dr Ahmed Shaheed in November.

The pair were sworn in by High Court Judge Yousuf Hussein. After presenting letters of appointment, President Nasheed expressed confidence that the newest additions to the cabinet would receive parliamentary consent.

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EC slates Kelaa re-vote for April 9

The Elections Commission (EC) has announced that a local council by-election in Haa Alif Kelaa will take place on April 9 after the High Court declared the previous results invalid and ordered a re-vote.

The High Court ruled that the ballots were counted in a nearby island in violation of the Elections Act following disturbances in Kelaa on February 5.

The polling station in Kelaa was closed 15 minutes from time by EC officials who declared that people who left the queue would not be allowed to vote, angering many islanders and sparking confrontations.

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More than 50 arrested in connection with recent murder case

The police have told a local radio station that more than 50 persons have been arrested to curb the gang violence in Male’, following the murder of 21 year old Ahusan Basheer in a gang stabbing.

Basheer was murdered while he was on the street last Thursday early morning at 3:30 am.

Police said that minors were among the 50 individuals arrested, according to SunFM.

The station reported that some were now released.

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Police discover Muli Post Office’s missing safe

Police have discovered the stolen safe of the Meemu Atoll Muli Post Office.

The safe was buried inside a house in the island, police said. The safe appeared to be damaged by attempts to break it open.

One minor and a 28 year old man were arrested in connection with the case.

According to police, everything inside the safe when stolen was in it when police discovered it.

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President offers condolences to families of Orchid fire victims

President Mohamed Nasheed has offered his condolences to the families of two women who died yesterday in a house fire in Heniveru, next door to the Sala Thai restaurant.

The President’s Office confirmed the identities of the deceased women as Haaji Edhuruge Dhon Siththi, the mother of Deputy Minister of Health and Family Fathimath Afiya and Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Offices in Geneva Iruthisham Adamand Iuthisham Adam, and Iuthisham Adam, their sister.

President Mohamed Nasheed met with the family and expressed his deep sympathy and sent sincere condolences to the bereaved family.

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