Day: June 8, 2014

Government submitting bills to Majlis at “remarkable speed”, says PPM group leader

The government has submitted 12 bills to the People’s Majlis today (June 8), local media has reported.

“The government is submitting bills to the parliament at a remarkable speed. We’ll do our best to table these bills in the parliament,” Progressive Party of Maldives Parliamentary Group Leader Ahmed Nihan told Haveeru today.

Having already submitted special economic zones legislation to the Majlis last week, the government was reported to have today introduced bills addressing the issue of referendums as well as amendments to current laws on GST, child protection, MPs’ income, and immigration.

The scope of the government’s legislative agenda was revealed last March when Attorney General Mohamed Anil unveiled a 207-bill plan comprising 98 new bills and 109 amendments to existing laws.

Of the 207 bills, Anil said the government hoped to submit 65 pieces of legislation to the legislature this year once the 18th parliament was sworn in after the elections on March 22.

The government’s ability to secure new legislation was reduced late last month, however, after the split with it electoral ally the Jumhooree Party (JP).

The loss of the JP’s 15 MPs brings the ruling Progressive Coalition’s majority in the house to just one seat, after last week’s signing of independent MP  Abdulla Khaleel. This excludes the support of unofficial partner the Adhaalath Party’s sole MP.

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Jamiyatul Salaf calls on government to reconsider UN peacekeeping deal

Local Islamic NGO Jamiyatul Salaf has called on the government to reconsider the decision to have Maldivian troops participate in the United Nations peacekeeping force.

“Jamiyyatul Salaf rejects this and express grave our concern over this matter to the Maldivian citizens,” said the group.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Salaf called on the Maldivian authorities to “fear Allah and be more concerned about the Muslim Ummah”, requesting President Abdulla Yameen, the People’s Majlis, and the minister of defence reconsider the decision to place “Maldivian Muslims soldiers” among “dubious UN forces”.

Following the signing of an MOU between the Maldives and the UN last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a small contingent of military observers and infantry personnel will be deployed over the next two years.

“Given that history has proved with certainty that armies taking part in the UN forces have to act against Muslims, and that a Maldivian Muslim army is also part of the UN force, taking part in action against Muslims even in that capacity cannot be acceptable under any circumstance,” read the Salaf statement.

“It would be highlighted as harmful and dangerous days in the Maldivian Islamic history. Therefore, this should not even be allowed under Maldivian laws,” said the NGO, arguing that wars against Muslims around the world are waged without any reasonable grounds and that infidels are using biological weapons against Muslims.

Noting that the first priority of the Maldives should be its sovereignty and Islamic unity, Salaf suggested that Maldivians have recently experienced how “CMAG, the Commonwealth, and other infidel organisations and nations” have tried to change truths and “assisted falsehoods” in their ways of justice.

After the controversial transfer of presidential power in February 2012, the Maldives was suspended from the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) – the Commonwealth’s democracy and human rights arm.

CMAG also drew criticism from the government after expressing concerns in delays to the 2013 presidential election, declaring its belief that first round had been credible after the result was annulled by the Supreme Court.

“In addition to this, it would not be impossible for the country become a target of dangerous and horrifying attacks from within and without as a result of this [taking part in the UN forces],” the NGO continued, warning anyone who dies fighting on the side of infidels in a war against Muslims would be considered an apostate and should be treated as a non-Muslim in every way.

In what seemed to be a reference to recent police investigations into Maldivians fighting in the Syrian civil war, Salaf said that, for fear of international disapproval, Maldivians are not being allowed to train themselves in foreign countries for obligatory Jihad against infidels who are fighting against Muslims.

The group remarked that it would be unfair to allow Maldivian Muslims to fight in the ranks of infidels against fellow Muslims.

Reports emerged last month of two Maldivian citizens being killed while fighting pro-government forces in Syria, with the government refusing to make any official comment on the jihadis as police begin investigations.

Salaf’s disapproval of the participation in UN operations was also expressed when President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration first announced the decision in 2011.

Nasheed’s government at the time stated that it was “important for the Maldives to contribute to the efforts of these international agencies and institutions to ensure that every country, every society and every individual has the opportunity to live in peace and security.”

The parliamentary approval for Maldivian participation in UN peacekeeping missions was granted in October 2011 with 56 votes in favour, five abstentions and 11 votes against.

The Maldives National Defence Force said the participation of the Maldives’ troops would be decided upon by the government.

President’s Office spokesperson today told Minivan News that there has been no change in the government’s stand on the issue.

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Thirty new police recruits sworn in

Thirty new recruits have been sworn-in as police officers at an oath-taking ceremony today, Maldives Police Service has said.

According to police media, their oath was administered by Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed.

Addressing the officers after the ceremony, Judge Abdulla reminded the new recruits that the oath was taken in Allah’s name, advising them to preserve the safety and security of the people in the service of the nation – as stated in the oath.

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Expansion of economic activity in first quarter driven by tourism sector growth: MMA

Domestic economic activity expanded in the first quarter of 2014 “driven by the strong growth of the tourism sector during the ongoing high season of the industry,” according to the Maldives Monetary Authority’s (MMA) quarterly economic bulletin.

Total tourism receipts in the first three months of the year increased by 10 percent compared to the first quarter of 2013, reaching US$801.1 million, the central bank revealed.

“In Q1-2014, the average operational bed capacity of the industry also increased by four percent when compared to Q1-2013 and totalled 26,999 beds, contributed by the opening of more resorts and guesthouses during the period,” the bulletin explained.

“Despite the increase in the operational bed capacity of the industry, the occupancy rate of tourism accommodation facilities remained relatively unchanged at 84 percent when compared to Q1-2013, owing to the higher increase in bednights.”

Arrival trends

On arrival trends in the first quarter, the bulletin noted that the 10 percent annual increase in arrivals was “entirely driven by the significant increase (24 percent) in arrivals from the Chinese market.”

Chinese tourists accounted for 27 percent of guests during the first quarter of 2014. According to the Tourism Ministry, the Chinese market expanded by 24 percent with an additional 16,960 tourists compared with the same period of 2013.

Statistics from the Tourism Ministry show that 331,719 Chinese tourists visited the Maldives last year –  a 44.5 percent increase from the previous year.

Chinese tourists accounted for 29.5 percent of all tourist arrivals in 2013.

“Meanwhile, after recording three successive quarters of positive growth, arrivals from Europe (which constitute over half of total tourist arrivals) registered a marginal decline of two percent in Q1-2014, mainly due to a substantial fall in arrivals from Russia owing to its economic crisis and partly due to Easter calendar effects,” the bulletin continued.

“The poor performance of the Russian market (the third main market from Europe since Q2-2012) is in stark contrast to the double-digit growth rates exhibited by the Russian market throughout the last year.”

The bulletin noted that all major markets from Europe recorded a decline in arrivals. While arrivals from Germany – “the main source market from Europe” – and Italy both declined by four percent, arrivals from France declined by two percent.

“The better performance of UK market during the quarter is attributable to the sustained growth of the British economy since last year,” the bulletin observed.

Fisheries and construction sectors

The fisheries industry in the first quarter of 2014 “continued to be adversely affected by falling tuna prices in the international market since September last year,” the bulletin observed.

“This is reflected by the annual decline in fish purchases by collector vessels (12 percent) and the fall in both volume and earnings of fish exports in Q1-2014, by 26 percent and 6 percent, respectively,” the bulletin stated.

The construction industry however continued its “ongoing recovery” in 2014, the bulletin continued, which was “indicated by the strong annual growth in construction-related imports and bank credit to mainly residential housing construction projects.”

“Spurred by the strong performance of the tourism and other key sectors, activity in the wholesale and retail sector also picked up during the review period. This was reflected by a 13 percent increase in bank credit to the sector in the review period compared to Q1-2013, while private sector imports (excluding tourism) grew by 9 percent in the same period,” the bulletin read.

“Main driver of inclusive growth”

Meanwhile, a delegation from the World Bank led by the World Bank Vice President Philippe Le Houérou – in his first visit to the Maldives since assuming the post in July 2013 – met President Abdulla Yameen in late May and agreed to work with the government in developing a national strategy for fostering growth and consolidating public finances.

The discussion focused on “the need to reduce fiscal deficits, create a favourable investment climate for the private sector and delivery of key public services,” according to a press release from the World Bank.

“Maldives has enjoyed economic growth during the last decade and expects to achieve 4.5 percent growth in 2014,” Le Houérou was quoted as saying.

“But it still faces challenges, such as balancing public accounts while delivering public services on some 200 islands across hundreds of kilometres of the Indian Ocean. The issue is how Maldives can make the most of its potential in order to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.”

World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Francoise Clottes, noted the country’s “great success in developing a world-class tourism sector to take advantage of its breathtaking beauty.”

“This sector is expected to continue to grow and remains the main driver of inclusive growth and sharing prosperity, going into the future,” Clottes said.

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Vice president continues search for investors during China visit

President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has attended the 9th China-South Asia Business Forum during his official visit to China, reiterating the government’s focus on increasing foreign investments and strengthening the economy.

Speaking at the event, Jameel stated that his government prioritised economic transformation, youth empowerment, and domestic security, read a statement on the official President’s Office website.

He further spoke of the government’s aim to encourage foreign investment and capital in order to implement the Yameen administration’s economic development programmes and projects.

President Abdulla Yameen has promised a number of ‘mega projects’ during his term, pledging legislation to create a more welcoming investor climate, and organising a landmark investment forum in Singapore in April in order to find potential foreign investors.

The vice president further stated that corporate China has shown interest in engaging in infrastructure development projects in the Maldives. He assured Chinese investors that the government would do all possible to ensure a “flexible and efficient investment climate”.

To this end, the government last week introduced legislation to create special economic zones (SEZ) in strategic locations, with Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed – also present on the China trip – suggesting that the move might help the country end its reliance on tourism.

Jameel noted that China has been the number one tourism market for the Maldives since 2010, predicting that the number of Chinese arrivals – accounting for one in every four tourists in 2014 – will continue to grow.

During the trip, Jameel has also attended the 2nd China-South Asia Expo, where he repeated his belief that foreign investment is crucial for economic growth, private sector development and wealth creation.

“Our government firmly believes that broad based, private sector-led growth is essential to achieving faster development progress and to transform the economy from where it is today,” he is quoted as saying.

The details of some of the ‘mega projects’ were explained to the Chinese audience, with Jameel discussing the  ‘iHavan’ project – a regional development project in the northern atolls, potential oil and gas exploration projects, and plans to redevelop the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

Last month, the Maldives Airports Company (MACL) signed an agreement with China’s state-owned engineering and construction company, Synohydro, to build a US$9 million parking apron at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

In addition to the forums, Jameel also paid a visit to the Governor of Yunnan Province, H E Mr Li Jiheng.

At the meeting, discussions were held with regard to areas where the countries could increase cooperation, with the governor pledging to work with the Maldives to strengthen cooperation in a number of fields including renewable energy, science and technology, tourism, connectivity, economy and trade.

He further discussed the strengthening of bilateral ties with Vice Premier of China H E Wang Yang.

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PPM denies using presidential residence for party functions

Functions of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) held at the official presidential residence Muleeage are not funded from the state budget, President Abdulla Yameen has said.

Speaking to the press at a PPM event in Muleeage on Thursday night (June 5), President Yameen reportedly said he did not believe using the official residence for meetings or party activities amounted to misuse of state resources.

The president’s remarks followed Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim’s insistance last week that state property could not be used for party activities.

Niyaz told local media that Muleeage could only be used either for functions held by the president or the first lady in their official capacity or for meeting invited guests.

Recent signing ceremonies to welcome high-profile new members to the ruling party – most recently Independent MP Abdulla Khaleel and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim – have been held in Muleeage.

President Yameen told reporters Thursday night that while he respected the auditor general’s opinion he did not believe using Muleeage for party functions was a problem.

“No money from the government’s budget or Muleeage budget is spent for any work done here. If there’s a tea or anything else here, we make the expenses outside the budget. So this is not a resource that is consumed,” Yameen was quoted as saying by newspaper Haveeru.

Yameen said he meets members of the public as well as MPs at Muleeage, adding that meeting MPs at the President’s Office to discuss parliamentary affairs would be “too official.”

“If expenses are not made from the government budget, it would be best if the place [Muleeage] is not made too much of an issue,” he suggested.

After assuming office in November, President Yameen had announced that he would continue to live in his private residence. However, the budget allocated for the official residence was increased by MVR2 million (US$130,208) in the state budget for 2014 – rising to MVR19.1 million (US$1.2 million).

In April this year, parliament approved amendments to to the law governing renumeration and benefits for the president and vice president making it mandatory for the state to cover expenses of the pair’s private residences should either choose not to live in the official residences.

“Biased and misleading”

Meanwhile, the PPM also put out a press statement last week contending that the auditor general’s remarks were biased, misleading and politically motivated.

“This party’s activities have not been held in the president’s official residence Muleeage so far,” the party claimed.

The party also contended that the president holding meetings in Muleeage with various individuals could not be considered “a political party activity.”

Alleging that a number of party activities and functions – without the participation of the president – had been held in Muleeage during the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed, the PPM noted that “the auditor general had not said anything about it” at the time.

The press release went on to criticise the auditor general for not objecting to political party activities allegedly held at the Malé City Council premises as well as the use of the Dharubaaruge convention centre by protesters of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the wake of the controversial transfer of power in February 2012.

“Therefore, as this party believes that the interviews given by the auditor general to the media saying that the president’s official residence is being used for this party’s activities were biased and political, we express deep concern about the matter,” the press release stated.

The statement concluded by calling on the auditor general not to make statements without “properly considering the truth of the matter.”

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Housing Minister Muiz joins MDA

Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz and Deputy Minister Abdulla Muttalib have signed for the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), local media reports.

Muiz had been a senior member of the religious conservative Adhaalath Party (AP).

According to Sun Online – owned by MDA Leader Ahmed Siyam Mohamed – Deputy Minister of Education Ismail Shafeeu and former Kooddoo Fisheries Managing Director Mohamed Muttalib have also signed for the government-aligned party.

Following the expulsion of the Jumhooree Party from the ruling coalition, the MDA remains the only coalition partner of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives.

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Government announces new political appointees

President Abdulla Yameen has this week announced a number of new political appointees.

Abdul Rasheed Nafiz has been reappointed as chairman of the Transport Authority – having been appointed to the post previously during President Mohamed Waheed’s administration before being removedby the current government in January.

Former parliamentarian for the Hanimaadhoo constituency Mohamed Mujuthaz has been appointed to the post of state minister at the President’s Office. Mujuthaz is a member of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Former footballer Shah Ismail has been appointed deputy minister of youth and sports. Shah served as the ministry’s sports advisor during the Waheed administration.

Meanwhile, the PPM’s Secretary General Mohamed Zuhair has been appointed deputy minister of finance and treasury.

Last week Yameen proposed three names as heads of diplomatic missions, nominating Abdulla Hameed as Non-Resident Ambassador to the United ‎Arab Emirates and the State of Kuwait, Dr Mohamed Asim as Non-Resident High Commissioner to ‎Bangladesh, and Ahmed Shiaan as Ambassador to Belgium and the European ‎Union, and as Non-Resident High Commissioner to the United ‎Kingdom.

Both the Bangladesh and the UK missions have had their resident high commissioners removed as the Foreign Ministry seeks to reduce costs.

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