Day: August 20, 2013

President Waheed to present National Awards in Male’ on August 22

The National Awards Committee has finalised its list of recipients who will receive accolades at a special ceremony being held at the Dharubaaruge conference centre in Male’ on Thursday (August 22).

Of this list, three recipients will be presented with the National Award of Honour during the event, while eleven other people have been selected to receive the National Award of Recognition, according to the President’s Office website.

President Dr Mohamed Waheed will also present a further 27 individuals with the National Award for Special Achievement during Thursday’s ceremony.

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Parliament fails to appoint new representative to JSC

The Parliament has failed to come to a decision in appointing a new representative to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) after all four proposed candidates failed to obtain the required majority.

The names of the four MPs proposed to fill the judicial watchdog’s vacancy included: opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Ahmed Hamza, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Abdul Azeez Jamaal Aboobakr, former MDP and currently Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) MP Mohamed ‘Colonel’ Nasheed, and independent MP Mohamed Hussain.

During the voting session held today, 39 MPs out of 73 who took part decided against appointing Hamza to the position, while 34 MPs voted in his favour.  

Meanwhile, 55 MPs opposed the proposition to appoint ‘Colonel’ Nasheed, and 42 MPs voted against Jamaal Aboobakr. Independent MP Mohamed Hussain withdrew his name.

Following the outcome, Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Shahid announced that the Majlis would open the opportunity for parties to propose names in the next session.

Previously, resort tycoon and leader of Jumhoree Party (JP) Gasim Ibrahim was parliament’s representative at the JSC, but he had to give up the seat after he was officially declared a candidate in the upcoming presidential election.

In June 2011, Gaism Ibrahim was appointed to the commission after parliament voted out the former MP late Dr Afrasheem Ali.  In a close contest between then ruling MDP and the opposition parties, Gasim Ibrahim beat former MDP Chairperson MP Mariya Ahmed Didi by 38 votes to 36.

The current JSC composition includes speaker of parliament, a judge from Supreme Court, a High Court judge, a judge from trial courts, a member of parliament, a member appointed from the general public, the Civil Service Commission Chair, an individual appointed by the president, the attorney general, and a lawyer elected from those registered in the country.

During today’s session, parliament also appointed former Education Minister Dr Dr Mohamed Latheef as chair of Civil Service Commission (CSC) – a post that had been vacant since the parliamentary deposition of Fahmy Hassan.

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Maldives’ real extremism is the encroachment upon people’s rights: Yameen

Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) presidential candidate Abdulla Yameen has argued that the most prominent form of extremism in the Maldives is the encroachment upon people’s rights, rather than religious radicalism.

Yameen met with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during a visit to the country Friday (August 16), as part of the state’s ongoing engagement with all Maldivian political parties ahead of the September 7 presidential election.

In response to Indian officials raising concerns about potential radical rhetoric in the Maldives, Yameen acknowledged that extremism “exists to some extent” and is a challenge faced by the PPM.  Yameen recounted this conversation during a PPM press conference held in Male’ yesterday (August 19).

“We do face the problem of extremism to some extent and the extremism that exists here isn’t necessarily religious extremism,” Yameen recalled telling Prime Minister Singh.

“What really exists here is extremism of encroaching on other people’s rights,” he added.

Yameen explained to the Prime Minister that the Maldivian people suffer serious damage to their houses and property as a result of this type of extremism.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Singh expressed his hope that September’s presidential election will be free and fair, followed by a smooth transition, reported India’s Economic Times.

Singh also emphasised the need to ensure an understanding that the outcome of the election is recognised by all parties without reprisals, to which Yameen reportedly agreed.

Yameen thanked the prime minister for the support India has provided the Maldives and expressed a desire for the unique bonds between both countries continue to grow and prosper.

The PPM presidential hopeful also offered assurances that he would assist in creating a conducive atmosphere for Indian investment in the Maldives.

However, Yameen told local media that the terminated GMR agreement “did not come up” during his visit to India.

The Indian infrastructure giant has filed a claim seeking US$1.4 billion in compensation from the Maldives, following the government’s sudden termination of its concession agreement to manage and upgrade Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA).

Yameen – the half brother of 30-year autocratic ruler, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom – was accompanied by a six-person delegation during his official visit to India. These delegation included three of Gayoom’s children – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon; Minister of State for Human Resources, Youth and Sports Mohamed Ghassaan Maumoon; and PPM Council Member Ahmed Faris Maumoon.

Additional delegation members included PPM Vice President and Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ahmed Adheeb; PPM campaign manager and MP Moosa Zameer; as well as PPM MP Abdulla Maseeh.

Prime Minister Singh’s meeting with Yameen comes on the heels of former president and current Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Mohamed Nasheed’s official visit to India.

Nasheed, who resigned the presidency during the February 2012 political crisis, has claimed “powerful networks” of Gayoom loyalists were responsible for his ousting after sections of the police and military mutinied against him.

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“Our server is continuously being attacked”: Elections Commissioner

The Elections Commission (EC) has said its internet server is currently facing continuous attacks from hackers working both within the country and from outside.

In an interview given to local newspaper Haveeru, EC Chair Fuad Thaufeek dismissed rumours that both the website and its server had been hacked, but acknowledged the commission had continuously come under attack from hackers.

“Our server is continuously being attacked by hackers from both the Maldives and outside. For that reason, our IT team is continuously monitoring the server and blocking these attacks round the clock.  I assure that our data is still safe and protected. There are no imminent threats of a security breach,” Fuad told Haveeru.

The EC Chair also noted that similar attacks had previously been launched against the commission’s internet servers. However, during previous attack attempts, Thoufeek admitted that hackers were able to access their website but had done little damage, other than putting an image on the website.

He stressed that the data stored at the commission’s server was safe after hearing individuals had posted a document allegedly belonging to the commission’s server which was later discovered to be a fake.

Ahead of the presidential election scheduled to take place on September 7, Thoufeek said that the EC’s members had discussed the attacks with the police.

The announcement comes at a time when both the government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the Jumhoree Party (JP) have expressed concern over Indian IT experts working with the commission.

Both the parties previously requested their IT experts be allowed to assess the server but the commission refused to grant permission, claiming that it would undermine the organisation’s credibility.

“We explained to [the parties] that the Indian team would not be working on systems being used for the upcoming presidential election. They will instead be providing assistance to help develop a program for future elections,”  Thoufeek told Minivan News previously.

The commission previously claimed that it had initially sought local IT professionals for the project, but that it had not been possible to find Maldivians with either the programming skills required for the project, or those willing to work within the budget assigned for the project.

“Firms presently operating in Male’ demanded much higher rates to oversee the project,” he said.

Both PPM and JP had challenged the possibility of holding free and fair elections scheduled for September 7 this year if foreigners could access the electoral database and other systems. However, the EC has moved to dismiss any fears, adding that only local EC staff had access to sensitive information and the commission’s security systems.

Meanwhile, the commission revealed Saturday (August 17) to local media that 38 people’s names had been fraudulently re-registered to vote outside of their home towns in next month’s presidential poll.

The Elections Commission had previously given a one month time frame for re-registration of voters – necessary for those intending to vote at a polling station other than that listed with the commission, such as a worker based on a resort island and those currently residing abroad.

During the time frame, the commission claimed that more than 61,000 people had re-registered with the commission.

Statistics released by the commission suggests that 240,302 people are eligible to cast their vote with 31,008 new voters in the upcoming presidential elections.

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Turkish training will strengthen police, says Commissioner Riyaz

Police Commissioner Abdulla Riyaz has hailed a new agreement between the Turkish Government and the Maldives Police Service (MPS) as providing the means to strengthen the institution.

Returning from an official trip to Turkey last week, Riyaz posted a video statement online revealing the full details of the memorandum of understanding with Turkish police.

“They have agreed to give us 5 slots in a degree programme in a security studies course, as well as 2 slots in a masters programme, scheduled to start in their Police Academy next month,” he explained.

The police commissioner also revealed that the MPS will, in future, be offered instruction in policing corruption, drugs, and serious organised crime.

“We have also asked for assistance with obtaining police electronics, computers, vehicles and infrastructure. They appeared positive and said they will respond to proposals on a case by case, project by project basis,” he continued.

The Turkish government has reportedly been offering similar training and assistance to a number of countries this year, including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Albania, Mongolia, Palestine, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.

Riyaz’s announcement of the deal’s specifics follows criticisms by former President Mohamed Nasheed over what he believes is a lack of police reform following the publication of the Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI) report last year.

Speaking at the opening of a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) campaign outlet in Male’ yesterday (August 19), Nasheed reportedly told supporters that he had failed to see any police reform, despite his acceptance of the CoNI report being based solely on this feature.

The report, designed to investigate the circumstances surrounding Nasheed’s controversial resignation on February 7, 2012, urged changes to the country’s judiciary, legislature, certain independent institutions, and the police service.

Nasheed and the ousted MDP have maintained that the former president’s resignation took place under duress during a police and military mutiny, and that the ensuing government of Dr Mohamed Waheed is illegitimate.

Whilst ruling the transfer of power not to have been a coup, the commission recommended “immediate steps be taken to provide assistance and encouragement…with a view to their increased effectiveness and general performance in the service of the common good and public interest.”

Commissioner Riyaz, appointed immediately after Nasheed’s controversial resignation, has been condemned by the MDP for his alleged role in the former president’s exit from office.

Despite his misgivings over the police’s progress towards addressing the CoNI report’s recommendations, Nasheed struck a conciliatory tone towards police, urging cooperation from his supporters.

“During this period, I urge all members of this party to smile at police officers, to care for them, to cooperate with them and trust them,” he said.

Local media also reported Nasheed as expressing his wish to address each police officer individually in his attempts to press ahead with reforming the institution.

“I believe that Maldives cannot have stability without reforming the police service,” said Nasheed.

Riyaz last month said he would not follow any unconstitutional orders, following a leaked document purported to be the MDP’s plans for introducing decentralised security services in the event of victory in next month’s presidential poll. The document was disowned by Nasheed’s party.

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Police search 2100 expats over Hulhumale’ rape without finding suspect

The police have told local media that, despite searching 2100 expats in a special operation launched to locate and apprehend the expatriates connected with the rape of a 19 year girl in Hulhumale’, no suspect has yet been found.

The incident occurred on Saturday August 3 at about 9:30am. The man allegedly snatched the girl from the street and raped her in some bushes near Reethi Gas Magu Road.

Police told local newspaper Haveeru that expats living on Hulhumale’, Thilafushi, and Male’ have been searched and that police haven’t been able to locate the suspect.

The operation is still on going.

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41 year old man arrested for molesting 12 year old

Police have arrested a 41 year old man in connection with a case in which a 12 year old minor was sexually abused in the island of Naavaidhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll.

The man was arrested while he was on Neykurandhoo Island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll.

Police said the man had previous records of homosexuality, child abuse, and assault.

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Two expats arrested with 31 packets of illegal drugs

Police have arrested two expatriates who were in possession of 31 packets of illegal narcotics.

They said the two arrested were one Indian national and one Bangladesh national aged 24 and 27, respectively.

When police searched their bodies’ officers discovered stolen motorbike keys, money, two screw drivers, and medicine.

The Drug Enforcement Department is further investigating the case.

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ACC investigating business dealings of two cabinet ministers

The Chair of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Hassan Luthfy has confirmed that there is a case filed at the commission against Islamic Minister Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed and Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad.

The case was filed after it came to light that a company named ‘ISI Investment Private Limited’ was registered in 2010 in the name of Sheikh Shaheem, Abdulla Jihad, and an Iraqi national named Ihusan S. El Sheikh.

Luthfy today told Minivan News that the commission had not yet looked into the case.

“So far we know that it was a company registered in 2010 before they were both appointed to the cabinet,’’ he said. “But what we have to find out is if the company had made any business transactions after they were appointed as cabinet ministers.’’

He said that this was a very common type of issue.

“We have come across this type of issue many times, like in the former government’s cabinet there were some ministers who had businesses registered under their names which was shared by foreign nationals, it becomes an issue if the company makes any business transaction after they were appointed to the cabinet,’’ he added.

The constitution’s article 136[a] states that “a member of the Cabinet shall not hold any other public office or office of profit, actively engage in a business, or in the practice of any profession, or any other income generating employment, be employed by any person, buy or lease any property belonging to the State, or have a financial interest in any transaction between the State and another party.’’

Sheikh Shaheem has told local media that the company was registered in 2010 and that no business transactions were made after he was appointed to the cabinet.

In March 2013, the ACC launched an investigation into an alleged business deal struck between Firoz Ghulam Khan – who promised to donate a sum of US$ 10,000 to the Zakat fund last year – and the wife of Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Shaheem Ali Saeed, Fathimath Afiyaa.

According to local newspaper Haveeru, the business deal was struck on December 25, just three months after announcement of Zakat fund donation, and involved the formation of a company under the name ‘Pure Gold Jewelry Maldives Private Limited’, which intended to sell jewelry to resorts.

Citing a paper it claims to have received from the Ministry of Economic Development, Haveeru has reported that the company had 1500 shares in the name of Shaheem’s wife, while Firoz Ghulam Khan’s net share was 103,500. Kareem Firoz had shares totaling up to 45,000.

The ACC website had issued a statement confirming that the case of Shaheem’s wife had been sent to the Prosecutor General’s office to pursue charges against her for violating the Anti Corruption Act (Act number 2/2000 article 15(a)).

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