Category: News in Brief

Supreme Court to appoint magistrates following recusal

The Supreme Court has informed lower courts that it would be appointing magistrates to take over cases where magistrates have recused themselves.

In a letter (Dhivehi) from Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain addressed to lower courts on Thursday (September 4), the apex court noted that it has learned of magistrate courts writing to the Judicial Service Commission to appoint magistrates in cases where the presiding magistrate had excused himself.

Noting that the Supreme Court was the “highest authority for the administration of justice” under Article 141 of the Constitution and referring to a circular issued on August 10, 2011 – which stated that the Supreme Court would specify rules for appointing magistrates following recusal –  the chief justice asked magistrate courts to write to the Supreme Court if a magistrate recuses himself from a case.

In May, the Supreme Court promulgated new rules stipulating that the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) will function in accordance with policies set by the apex court bench and under the direct supervision of a designated justice.

In a comprehensive report on the Maldivian judiciary released in May 2013, United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, wrote that “the direct control of the Supreme Court over the Department of Judicial Administration have had the effect of centralising administrative decisions in the hands of the Supreme Court.”

“This has undoubtedly contributed to the strong impression that lower courts are excluded from the administration of justice and decision-making processes,” she wrote.

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MJA elections scheduled for September 21

The Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) has announced that elections for its steering committee have been scheduled for 9:00pm on Sunday, September 21.

In an announcement yesterday, MJA urged members to be present at the seminar hall of the youth centre ahead of time as entrance would be closed 15 minutes before the meeting starts.

Interested candidates have been told to submit applications before September 11. Candidates would also be able to put forward their names during the meeting.

Three previous attempts to hold the elections had failed due to disagreements among journalists. Heated confrontations took place at the last meeting of the MJA on August 24.

Former MJA President Ahmed ‘Hiriga’ Zahir announced his resignation the day after the disrupted meeting, citing the atmosphere as “not conducive” for holding elections.

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Two dead in Addu City link road accident

Two men died yesterday after their motorcycle collided with a pickup on the link road of Addu City.

Police identified the deceased as Hussain Juman Ali, 18, and Ibrahim Aswad, 27, both from the Hithadhoo island of the southernmost atoll.

The accident occurred in the causeway linking Hithadhoo and Gan, police said. The 60-year-old driver of the pickup has since been taken into police custody.

Numerous accidents have occurred on the link road, including an incident involving the Afghan national football team’s bus during the recent AFC Challenge Cup. Many more have resulted in fatalities on the 14km causeway – the longest road in the country.

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President Yameen presents awards to winners of surf competition

President Abdulla Yameen attended the award ceremony of the ‘Maldives Open 2014’ surf championship yesterday at the Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi resort. ‎

While President Yameen presented ‎awards to the winners of the ‘Men’s Open’ category, Tourism Minister‎ Ahmed Adeeb presented awards for the winners of the ‘Men’s ‎Bodyboarding’ category.

Awards for the winners of the ‘Women’s ‎Shortboarding’ category were presented by the Youth and Sports Minister Mohamed Maleeh Jamal.‎

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MNDF celebrates anniversary with variety show

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) celebrated its 122nd anniversary with a variety show titled ‘Sifa Ufaa’ at the Kalhuthukkala Koshi barracks in Malé.

The show was held for three nights starting from Thursday, September 4 with President Abdulla Yameen attending on Saturday night (September 6).

The show featured comedy sketches and music from the Cops band as well as drama and dance items.

On the final night, Defence Minister Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim launched a soundtrack album of a film called ‘Haadharu’ under production by the MNDF.

According to the military, the film would be about security threats such as the attempted coup on November 3, 1988.

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Bank of Ceylon to provide loans for reclaiming land in Hulhumalé

Bank of Ceylon (BOC) has decided to provide a lon of US$30 million to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to reclaim land in the island of Hulhumalé.

HDC Chairman Hassan Ziyath has told local media that the agreement on the matter will be signed within the week.

He revealed that the loan will be paid back within a five year period at an interest rate of 8 percent. The bank is also offering a grace period of two years.

Ziyath stated that physical work to reclaim land in Hulhumalé will commence in early October. The work has been contracted to Belgian company Dredging International.

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Track area unsafe for swimming, warns EPA

The track area in Malé is unsuitable and unsafe for swimming, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has warned.

EPA Assistant Director Ibrahim Naeem told newspaper Haveeru yesterday that analysis of the seawater has revealed the presence of bacteria, waste, and oil.

Swimming in the track could cause skin diseases and infections, he warned, adding that the EPA has asked the relevant authorities to close the area for swimming.

He noted that school children also used the track, which is the only area in the capital available for swimming by the public apart from the artificial beach.

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“Hope Rilwan is found safe and sound”: Gayoom

Former President and leader of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has expressed his hope that missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla will be found “safe and sound”.

Speaking at a press conference held on Sunday on his return from a seminar in Samoa, Gayoom responded to media queries regarding Rilwan, believed to have been abducted 30 days ago.

“I believe the government is conducting a lot of work to find him. No government body has been negligent in this work. They are speedily conducting the investigation. God willing, this matter will be solved at the earliest, and he will be found safe and sound,” Gayoom stated.

“Our party is also looking into this matter very closely. Our party has even released a press statement expressing our deep concern on the matter. We said (in the statement) that we hope is found safe and sound,” Gayoom continued.

Meanwhile, Rilwan’s family and friends have approached all major political parties including ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Jumhoorere Party (JP) and main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) requesting meetings and cooperation in efforts to find the 28-year-old journalist.

While the group reports that they have met with the MDP and JP, who have both pledged to offer assistance, the PPM has so far failed to respond to the request.

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