Category: News in Brief

President commends independent institutions on “peaceful and competitive” elections

The Elections Commission, police, state authorities and civil society organisations were to be commended for the generally peaceful local council elections, held last Saturday, President Mohamed Nasheed has said.

The elections were peaceful and competitive without major incident, Nasheed said.

The DRP won 502 seats, 91 island councils and 10 atoll councils, according to preliminary results of the local council elections.

MDP won 375 seats, 61 island councils, four atoll councils and 88 percent of the city council seats. Independents took 160 seats, 15 island councils and one atoll council (Dhaalu).

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IFC and MMA to establish Maldives’ first credit information bureau

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is to work with the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) to establish the country’s first credit information bureau, reports India Infoline.

The creation of a formal mechanism for sharing credit information will improve access to finance for small and medium enterprises, the IFC stated.

“Creating a financial infrastructure that supports informed credit-related decisions and improves access to credit for small and medium enterprises is an important priority for IFC and the Maldives,” said Per Kjellerhaug, IFC Regional Manager. “Establishing a credit information bureau will help the country get closer to achieving this goal.”

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News sites and celebrity blogs awash with reports of Maldives’ blonde “fantasy” island

Self-described ‘Internet’s most notorious gossip columnist blogger’ Perez Hilton has joined a growing number of international media outlets to cover the story of the Lithuania-based company Olialia’s plans for a luxury Maldivian resort staffed only by individuals with blonde hair or wigs.

Last week, Olialia Brand Manager Lauryna Anuseviciute told the Associated Press that non-blonde staff at the proposed resort, which is set to be built on a man-made island resembling a high-heeled shoe, “will wear a blond wig to make everyone look similar.”

Although Olialia’s resort plans were first announced back last September, the story has this week garnered attention from news sources all around the world, including Sky News, The Week, the Sydney Morning Herald and Perez Hilton’s blog – usually a source for the latest news on pop stars like Britney Spears rather than tourist developments in the Maldives.

“Lithuanian company Olialia has created a business empire, and their newest venture is a ‘fantasy resort’ island in Maldives,” the blogger wrote. Perez Hilton also referenced Anuseviciute, who described the importance of hair colour to the business plan.

Maldivian tourism authorities have yet to officially hear of – or approve – the ambitious project.

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President on break following election tour

President Mohamed Nasheed is on a four day holiday following the conclusion of the local council elections, reports Haveeru.

The President’s Press Secretary Mohamed Zuhair claimed the president had worn through three pairs of shoes during a campaign tour of 100 islands, during which he delivered 130 speeches.

Nasheed will spend his break at Muleeage, Haveeru reported, and return to work on Sunday.

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SAARC considers Maldivian for first female secretary general

Former Maldivian Attorney General Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed is reportedly set to be appointed as the first female secretary-general of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

The Hindu, an India-based newspaper, today reported that Saeed, who has previously served as the Maldives’ attorney-general, is expected to take the position from India’s Sheel Kant Sharma once he completes his three year stint as SAARC secretary general later this month.

According to the report, unnamed diplomatic sources have suggested that the appointment comes as the organisation aims to focus on issues of women’s empowerment and maternal healthcare.

A spokesperson for SAARC was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

The appointment of a new secretary general is expected ahead of a summit to be held by the regional organisation in the Maldives later this year.

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“Democracy cannot not be consolidated without decentralisation”, says President

Local council elections will consolidate democracy, President Mohamed Nasheed said yesterday during a speech for Maldives National Day, marking the 451st anniversary of the Maldives gaining independence from Portuguese rule.

However, he said, democracy could not be consolidated without decentralising the country, which until now has been Male’ centric.

“This administration does not intend to centralize all the powers in the capital, and the country will not progress without relinquishing powers concentrated in Male’ for centuries,” Nasheed said.

Revolts occurring against governments in many countries in the Middle East was the result of suppressing people’s freedoms and liberties, he said.

Safeguarding the people’s freedom of expression, assembly and peaceful political activism was a prerequisite of sustainable national development, added the President.

Basic rights of the people and safeguarding these rights for future generations were central to the current political and socio-economic changes in the Maldives, the President said.

“The most important part of preservation of the new found freedoms and rights in the Maldives is redefining the national identity based on Islam, human rights, culture, and socio-economic progress of this country,” Nasheed said.

Nasheed also paid tribute to Mohamed Thakurufaanu, the National Day hero who restored the country’s independence after Portuguese rule.

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Elections Commission removes ineligible council candidates from ballot

The Elections Commission has taken action to remove 29 candidates planning to stand in today’s local council elections following a Supreme Court ruling on their eligibility.

Haveeru reported that the decision was taken yesterday to cancel the candidates’ standing in the elections, but 11 of the names would still be appearing on ballot papers.

According to the report, polling station heads will strike out the invalidated names in the presence of each voter.

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Maldivian staff to wear blonde wigs, confirms Olialia brand manager

Maldivian staff at the proposed Lithuanian ‘Blondes only’ resort will wear wigs, Olialia Brand Manager Lauryna Anuseviciut has confirmed in an interview with Associated Press.

Anuseviciute told AP that “staff who are not blond will wear a blond wig to make everyone look similar.”

Companies in the Maldives are required to employ at least 50 percent local staff, few of whom have blonde hair.

Plans for the resort are still at an infant stage, but early designs show the island will be shaped as a gigantic high-heeled shoe.

Anuseviciute insisted to AP that Olialia had already secured financing for the plan, however the Maldivian government says it has yet to issue a permit or even see a proposal.

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Amana Takaful Insurance applies for MSE listing

Amana Takaful Insurance has applied to become the fifth company to be listed on the Maldives Stock Exchange (MSE).

The Sri Lankan company was established in 1998 and pioneered the process of refunding the surplus at the end of each policy term. It has been active in the Maldives since 2003, providing insurance to government and non-government organisations.

Amana Takaful will be both the first Sharia-compliant company and the first foreign-owned company to be listed on the MSE, the exchange noted.

Other companies on the stock exchange include the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Plc (MTCC), Bank of Maldives Plc (BML), State Trading Organization Plc (STO), and the Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC)

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