Category: News in Brief

Elections Commission fines Jumhooree Party for ninth time

The Elections Commission (EC) has fined the Jumhooree Party (JP) for a ninth time over fraudulent membership forms.

The EC explained in a press release that the JP was fined MVR10,000 (US$649) after the commission discovered repeated fingerprints of 36 persons on 258 party membership forms.

The fine was levied under Article 48(a) of the Political Parties Act.

In March, the EC also fined the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives after it emerged that a membership form was submitted on behalf of a deceased individual.

In June 2013, the Anti-Corruption Commission discovered that two membership forms submitted by former President Dr Mohamed Waheed’s now-defunct Gaumee Ihthihaad Party “were signed by persons who had passed away prior to the forms being sent to the EC.”

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Police called to investigate bullying in Imadudheen School

Police have confirmed that they are currently investigating a case involving multiple instances in which an 8-year-old student at Imadudheen School has been bullied.

While the police declined from providing further information on an ongoing investigation, local media reports that the case involves the student being bullied multiple times, and the school management repeatedly failing to take sufficient action in the matter.

“We have been raising these concerns with the school management from the moment we became aware of it. We have submitted the complaint to the class teacher, the leading teacher, and even the school principal,” local media quotes the victim’s parent as saying.

“However, the problem has still not been resolved. We filed a complaint with the police finally when the class teacher threatened our daughter saying she will be expelled from school if she pursues this matter any further.”

Ministry of Education Media Official Maina Latheef stated that the matter has not been submitted to the ministry as an official complaint, although she explained to Minivan News that she was looking into the issue.

“We will be able to tell you more in detail about what actions we can and will take once we finish looking into the matter. However, we maintain that the act of bullying is unacceptable and no child must have to be subject to it,” she said.

Imadudheen School’s administrative office was not responding to calls at the time of press.

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Former undersecretary sentenced to house arrest

The Criminal Court has sentenced Hinna Khalid of Valhufehi in Henveiru ward to six months of house arrest.

Hinna Khalid served as an undersecretary at the President’s Office during President Dr Mohamed Waheed’s administration.

Khalid has been sentenced on charges of abusing powers for personal gain while serving as head of the Malé municipality.

The case was presided over by Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed.

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Road Development Corporation contracted to build two roads in Feydhoo

The Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure has contracted the Maldives Road Development Corporation to build two roads in Feydhoo, Addu City.

At an event held at the ministry for signing of the contract today, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Muiz revealed that the project is worth MVR7.9 million.

According to Muiz, the corporation will be building Rahdhebai Magu and Bandharu Mathee Magu, with work commencing as soon as the environmental impact analysis of the project is completed.

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Dhivehi and Islam to be taught to Maldivians in Trivandrum

Arrangements are being made to teach Dhivehi and Islam to Maldivian children residing in Trivandrum, India, Education Minister Dr Aishath Shiham revealed today.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a workshop for principals of schools in Shaviyani, Noonu, and Raa atolls, the minister reportedly said that efforts were underway to hire Dhivehi and Islam teachers for the approximately 300 Maldivian children in Trivandrum.

She noted that offering Dhivehi and Islamic education to Maldivian children living abroad was a campaign pledge of President Abdulla Yameen.

In January, the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka announced that it was seeking Dhivehi language, Islam, and Quran teachers for Maldivian children residing in the neighbouring country.

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Vice President Dr Jameel inaugurates Hotel Asia Exhibition

Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed inaugurated the ‘Hotel Asia 2014 Exhibition and Culinary Challenge’ at the Dharubaaruge convention centre yesterday.

According to the President’s Office, Dr Jameel in his remarks at the opening ceremony “highlighted the leading role played by Hotel Asia in the Maldives and across the region, successfully organising several of the most eminent hotel fairs in the Maldives.”

Dr Jameel noted that such high-profile events encouraged growth of the tourism industry.

“Focusing on the country’s commitment to excellence in global tourism, Vice President Jameel highlighted that the government focuses on delivering a business environment conducive to the growth and development of the hospitality industry in the Maldives,” the President’s Office said.

“The Vice President also emphasised the innovativeness of Maldivian resorts, with the country being host to the world’s first underwater spa and all glass underwater restaurant.”

On the importance of eco-friendly tourism, the vice president observed that “numerous resorts in the Maldives are designed and constructed to reflect the country’s strong green-conscience and commitment to environment and social sustainability.”

Organised by Maldives Exhibition and Conference Service (MECS), almost 500 members are reportedly participating in the culinary challenge event at the exhibition, including local and foreign chefs from 60 resorts.

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Appeal hearings on Farhad murder case ends

Appeal hearings on the death sentence issued by the Criminal Court on Mohamed Nabeel of Reef in Galolhu ward on charges of the murder of Abdulla Farhad of Lilymaage in Seenu Atoll Hithadhoo have been completed.

The High Court will be announcing its verdict at the next hearing, which has not been scheduled so far.

The murder of Farhad was committed on March 9, 2009 in capital Malé city near Sosun Store on Majeedhee Magu.

He was allegedly attacked for harassing a girl who worked at a nearby shop. The girl has previously been reported to be a sister of the accused, Nabeel.

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Hithadhoo regional hospital to be renovated under MVR1.2 million project

An agreement was signed between the Ministry of Health and Sunshell Maldives Pvt Ltd yesterday for the renovation of the Hithadhoo regional hospital in a project worth MVR1.2 million (US$77,821), reports local media.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the health ministry, acting health minister Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim said efforts were underway to upgrade the regional hospital to tertiary level.

The 92-day renovation project involves the addition of children and women’s wings as well as more consultation and private rooms at the regional hospital in the southernmost atoll.

A second agreement was also signed at yesterday’s ceremony with Click Computers to provide 53 computers to health service providers across the country.

Nazim was appointed to the post last month following the Majlis’ rejection of Dr Mariyam Shakeela for the position. Majority leader Ahmed Nihan has this week praised Nazim for his “tremendous” efforts since taking the job.

The comments came in response to Shakeela’s accusations this week that she was ousted from her role in order to allow others to benefit from corruption regarding development projects in the health sector.

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President Yameen replaces commissioner general of customs

President Abdulla Yameen has appointed Ahmed Zuhoor to the vacant of commissioner general of customs.

Former Commissioner General Ahmed Mohamed was recently appointed an ambassador-at-large.

The new commissioner general of customs was sworn in at a ceremony at the President’s Office today.

Zuhoor reportedly has a masters degree in engineering and has previously served as a senior official at the State Trading Organisation.

Ahmed Mohamed has meanwhile told local media that he requested the president for the change in post.

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