Month: July 2014

Gayoom calls for a probe into parliamentary committee rejection of nephew for PG

Former president and ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has called for a probe into a parliamentary committee’s rejection of his nephew for the post of Prosecutor General.

Maumoon Hameed failed to garner the required 75 points to obtain committee recommendation. The previous People’s Majlis had also rejected Hameed for the post in April.

The People’s Majlis independent institutions oversight committee – in which the PPM holds a majority – gave Hameed 33 percent and President Abdulla Yameen’s second nominee and Criminal Court Judge Muhuthaz Muhusin 67 percent.

In a letter to PPM parliamentary group leader Ahmed Nihan, Gayoom said chair of the committee PPM MP Ali Saleem had acted against the wishes of Yameen and must be held accountable for his actions.

Gayoom said he had received reports Saleem’s had not followed due process in the vetting process.

Candidates were summoned for interviews without a committee vote and the vetting criteria were not approved by the committee, said Gayoom.

Further, there were reports mark sheets were not tallied in the presence of MPs, he said.

Saleem had also failed to respond to opposition MP Rozaina Adam’s question over Muhsin’s eligibility.

Gayoom said judges could not stand for the position as per Article 151 of the constitution. Muhuthaz would lose his judgeship following his application to the post of Prosecutor General, he added.

“I do not believe that any person can take up the post of Prosecutor General while he is serving as a judge,” Gayoom said, referring to “a legal norm” whereby a former judge could only represent a client as a lawyer only after two years pass after resignation.

“Hence, please investigate this issue thoroughly and present a report to me before this matter is forwarded to the Majlis floor,” Gayoom said.

The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) has since said judges are allowed to apply for positions in the state’s independent institutions.

The independent institutions oversight committee interviewed candidates on Thursday, July 10, and decided against recommending either candidate on Monday, July 14.

Marks were reportedly awarded following evaluation of their academic qualifications, experience, competency, management skills, leadership qualities, achievements and integrity.

The committee is comprised of five PPM members, one Maldivian Development Alliance (MDA) MP, three opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members and two Jumhooree Party (JP) members.

PPM Parliamentary Group leader Ahmed Nihan was not responding to calls at the time of press.

The PG’s post has been vacant since November following the resignation of Ahmed Muizz ahead of a scheduled no-confidence motion in parliament.

Moreover, Acting PG Hussein Shameem’s resignation in early May brought the criminal justice system to a halt after state prosecutors went on strike, citing concerns of a lack of accountability in the absence of a PG.

However, the Supreme Court ordered prosecutors to resume work “without any further excuse” and ordered the seniormost official at the PG office to assume the PG’s responsibilities.

President Yameen meanwhile refused to submit a new nominee to the 17th Majlis during the crisis and opened up a third call for applicants, announcing his intention to nominate Hameed – son of former Atolls Minister Abdulla Hameed – for a second time to the newly elected 18th People’s Majlis.

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Housing Ministry received 5000 applications for housing loan scheme

Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr Mohamed Muizzu has told parliament on Tuesday that the ministry had received over 5000 applications for a home construction loan scheme titled “Islamic Facility”.

Islamic Facility is a scheme under which the ministry in alliance with the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) provides loans to home owners who are unable to construct housing on their land due to financial constraints.

Under the scheme, applicants will be given loans amounting from MVR 50,000 to MVR 4,000,000, to be paid back within a maximum period of 20 years. Thirty percent of all loans issued under the scheme will be given to persons who are between 18 and 34 years of age.

Muizzu revealed in parliament today that the ministry is currently undertaking the work of verifying the submitted application forms. He stated that they will begin issuing the loans in the next 45 days.

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Addu City Council refutes Kooddoo claims over stalled fish cannery project

The Addu City Council has denied claims by Kooddoo Fisheries Maldives Ltd (KFML) that the company is waiting for the council to grant a plot of land to build a fish processing centre and a cold storage unit.

The government-owned company claimed in a press statement earlier this week that the council has not officially responded to a request for a plot of land in the Hithadhoo harbour area and that a dispute between the council and the Fisheries Ministry over ownership of the land was stalling the project.

Fisheries Minister Dr Mohamed Shainy had also claimed during minister’s question at a parliament sitting on June 30 that the council had refused to grant a plot of land.

However, the city council claimed in a counter statement on Monday (July 14) that an 861,113 square foot land north of the regional harbour was leased to Kooddoo on November 1, 2013 for a period of 50 years with no rent to be charged for the first two years.

Moreover, the council stated that Kooddoo obtained a US$4.4 million letter of credit and US$2 million overdraft demand loan from the Bank of Maldives after mortgaging the plot, which was registered under the council’s mortgage registry on November 7, 2013.

The council accused the company of attempting to mislead the public and create division and strife amongst the city’s “fraternal and united community”.

The stated purpose of the planned cold storage facility and fish cannery is to reduce the cost of purchasing fish from Addu City as the fish catch from the southernmost atoll had to be transported to Kooddoo’s main operation base in Gaaf Dhaal atoll.

In its statement, Kooddoo noted that the city council had leased a plot of land to a private company for a similar fisheries-related project, suggesting that fishermen in Addu City would benefit more if only one of the companies was allowed to make the investment.

Responding to the objection, the city council noted that a lease agreement for a 20,000 square feet plot of land with Sea Dynamics SUL was signed on October 10, 2013 – prior to leasing a different plot to Kooddoo – following a competitive bidding process.

The council noted that it did not have the legal authority or jurisdiction to reclaim the land after terminating the agreement and compensating the company.

Moreover, the council accused Kooddoo of being both “reluctant to work in a competitive environment” and “attempting to increase influence and power in business”.

Obstruction of the council’s efforts to create a competitive business environment for the benefit of Addu City fishermen was “unacceptable,” the council statement read.

Kooddoo’s objections also suggested that the company did not wish to conduct any business enterprise in Addu City, the statement added, accusing the company of exerting influence over the Fisheries Ministry to block approval for Sea Dynamics to begin its fisheries business.

“This council has always been working, and will continue to work, to provide broad opportunity for all businesses in an open and competitive environment and to ensure security and protection for entrepreneurs in various sectors,” the statement read.

The Addu City Council also attached copies of the lease agreements with Sea Dynamics and Kooddoo, letters exchanged with the Fisheries Ministry, and copies of mortgage agreements with the Bank of Maldives.

The Addu City Council is comprised exclusively of councillors from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Meanwhile, the audit report of Kooddoo for the financial year 2013 – made public earlier this month by the Auditor General’s Office – noted that the company was “not proceeding further with the cannery project.”

“Accordingly, the total capital work-in-progress shown as that of Addu cold storage facilities and cannery project amounting MVR20,121,839 are overstated by an undetermined amount and the results for the year overstated by the unrecognised impairment, respectively,” the report stated.

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Thousands rally against the Israeli offensive in Gaza

Thousands of Maldivians marched in Malé on Tuesday night against the continuing Israeli offensive in Gaza.

The march set off from the Social Center and ended with a prayer for the Palestinian people in front of the stadium. Event organizer Hamna Waheed said approximately 13,000 people participated in the rally.

“It was more successful than we expected. We are planning further activities such a fair for children and for disabled children to express solidarity. We will also be sending the prayer and materials to all the islands in the Maldives,” she said.

“We are also going to hold discussions with NGOs, Palestine Brotherhood and Islamic Foundation to see what the Maldivian government can do to help.”

The rally received cross party support and was attended by several women and children.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party also held a separate rally on Saturday night in solidarity with Gaza and condemning government inaction on the issue.

Home Minister Umar Naseer has asked the Maldives Police Services to investigate participants for gathering against the law in front of Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed’s residence. The 2012 Freedom of Assembly Act prohibits protests against individuals at their private residences, the ministry said.

The MDP condemned Naseer’s “unconstitutional order” and said it is an attempt to undermine the right to peaceful assembly and expression.

“Home Minister Umar Naseer’s unconstitutional order is widely seen as a reaction to appease the government’s inability to digest the MDP taking the initiative and highlighting deliberate government dithering over Israeli attacks on Gaza,” the party said in a statement on Tuesday.

Naseer himself is being prosecuted for disobedience to order for calling for protesters to storm the army headquarters in 2012, MDP noted.

The case has been stalled at the Criminal Court pending Naseer’s request for transfer of the presiding judge.

The judge in June had ordered Naseer be arrested and presented to court after the minister failed to attend three consecutive hearings.

Meanwhile, Shaheem in a tweet on July 13 said he has forgiven those who gathered outside his house and verbally abused him and made his children afraid.

MDP supporters set off from the party headquarters on Sosun Magu at 10 pm carrying placards denouncing the actions of the Israeli government and showing solidarity with the Palestinian people.

MPs and party officials delivered speeches throughout the rally, condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Arab countries for failure to resolve the crisis.

The party said the rally was conducted peacefully without confrontation.

“The Maldivian Democratic party had always condemned and raised its voice against foreign domination and subjugation of states as well as against murder and a slaughter of citizens. The MDP shall also be resolute and without any degree of retreat in always defending freedoms such as the right of peaceful assembly and expression,” the statement said.

Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon has called for an immediate cease-fire.

“Israel must stop the invasion of Gaza, it should stop the killing, the airstrikes, and declare a cease-fire, and start dialogue with Palestine,” she said on Saturday.

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Government proposes GST exemption for sale of flats under state-funded housing projects

Preliminary debate began at yesterday’s sitting of parliament on an amendment proposed by the government to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act to make the sale of flats under government housing projects exempt from the tax.

The amendment (Dhivehi) submitted on behalf of the government by Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Rasheed also proposes reimbursing GST payments to persons who have purchased flats or housing units constructed under government housing projects.

The reimbursement is to be made within 30 days of ratification of the amendment by the president.

While real estate transactions were previously exempt from GST, the previous parliament passed an amendment in February this year reversing the exemption.

While all MPs were in favour of the proposal during yesterday’s debate, opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs criticised the government for reversing tax exemptions for sale of flats.

Several MPs also argued that tax exemptions should apply exclusively for social housing schemes and not for luxury flats.

While MP Ali Azim suggested a hidden agenda behind the move to reimburse tax payments, MP Ahmed Nashid noted that funds were not allocated for the expenditure in the 2014 state budget.

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Housing Ministry to resume stalled Tata housing project

The government expects to sign a revised agreement with Tata Housing Developing Corporation next week to resume stalled housing projects in the capital Malé, Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz revealed at a press conference yesterday.

The terms of the agreement were revised on the advice of the cabinet’s economic council after agreeing to some of Tata’s conditions, Muiz explained, and have now been forwarded to the Indian real estate developer for final approval.

“We have agreed that work must begin in two sites in Malé within 45 days of signing the amendments [to the contract],” Muiz said, referring to the Gaakoshi plot and former Arabiyya School premises.

Muiz further revealed that the government has also agreed to give back the vacant ‘Naadhee’ plot in Malé and approve construction on the site.

The site was taken over by the administration of former President Dr Mohamed Waheed with the intention of building a new Supreme Court complex on the premises.

While the previous administration had offered a plot in Hulhumale’ as an alternative, the developers felt the change would affect financing of the project.

The multi-million dollar housing project – a combination of commercial and social housing through a Public-Private Partnership model – was signed in May 2010 by the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed with Apex Realty Pvt Ltd, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) or joint venture formed between Tata (65 percent) and SG18 Developers (35 percent).

Providing affordable housing to resolve the acute housing shortage in the capital was a core pledge of the Nasheed administration as well as the current Progressive Party of Maldives-led (PPM) government.

Contractual dispute

Housing Minister Dr Mohamed MuizThe Naadhee plot on Sosun Magu was among four plots of land in the capital awarded to the Tata subsidiary for construction of flats.

The Waheed administration’s decision to take over the plot was the source of the dispute with Tata, Muiz conceded yesterday, which has now been resolved after the economic council decided to give back the plot in accordance with the terms of the original agreement.

The government has agreed to purchase 20 percent of the flats constructed on the plot, he noted.

Discussions were meanwhile ongoing between the Supreme Court and the President’s Office on a new site for the apex court’s building, he said.

The flats in Gaakoshi and the old Arabiyya School site would have to be completed in 10 months and a year respectively, Muiz continued, while Tata has also agreed to construct 150 flats in Hulhumale’.

In May, Apex Realty announced that the company was prepared to resume work on the project as soon as the agreed upon amendments were incorporated into the contract.

“Apex Realty officials have undertaken multiple rounds of meetings with the economic council of the cabinet and the Ministry of Housing to find a mutually acceptable solution to contractual issues,” the company said in a press release.

“We are committed to the Maldives project and can start the project within 45 days after the final nod is received from the Housing Ministry and contract amendment is signed,” said Mr Sandeep Ahuja, Director at Apex.

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Last of the Pakistani suspects in the 24 kg heroin bust deported

The Maldives Police Services have deported two Pakistanis detained in connection to a 24 kg heroin drug bust citing insufficient evidence.

The two were the last of the eleven Pakistani nationals arrested from an Iranian boat in what the police claim to be the largest drug haul from a police operation in the country’s history.

Four Maldivians and three Bangladeshis were also arrested, but only five of the eighteen remain in custody. Six of the nine Iranians were released on the orders of the Criminal Court.

Of the three Bangladeshi nationals who were arrested from the boat, two were released by the Criminal Court on June 24. Only one remains under police custody.

All four Maldivians, including a police officer, remain in custody. Two have been transferred to house arrest, one due to ill health. The police have said the suspect had earlier suffered burns to 45 percent of his body in a fire accident. Two of the Maldivians arrested have previous records drugs related crimes, police has said.

The police have declined to reveal details of the suspects.

The street value of the drugs is estimated to be worth MVR 100 million (USD 6.5 million).

The operation

The police in March described the 24 kg heroin seize as one of the toughest operations in its history.

A sixteen member police team was involved in monitoring the movements of a local boat called “Violet” between March 4 and 10. The boat met Iran’s Hormuz at a rendezvous point 30 nautical miles outside the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on March 10. Hormuz had set sail from Iran’s Chahbahar seaport.

A small dinghy was offloaded from Hormuz onto Violet. When Violet reached Hulhumalé, the two local smugglers boarded the dinghy and were arrested from the island’s lagoon that night. The remaining arrests were made the next day on March 11.

The four locals arrested include the two primary smugglers, captain of Violet, and a police officer who used a local money transfer service to send money to an Iranian agent

Hormuz was caught seven nautical miles outside the Maldives’ EEZ.

In a very detailed account of the operation, police said they listened to phone conversations between the two suspected local smugglers and their Iranian counterpart and followed them police for several days.

A 46 member team comprising of the intelligence and drug enforcement department were involved in the operation, police have said.

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MPs abolish 1990 law on MP renumeration

The People’s Majlis today passed an amendment bill submitted on behalf of the government to abolish an outdated 1990 law governing renumeration for MPs of the People’s Majlis and Special Majlis.

The bill was approved with unanimous consent of 70 MPs at today’s sitting of parliament following review by the economic affairs committee.

The Special Majlis was a plenary assembly last convened in June 2004 to revise the constitution. Article 102 of the constitution meanwhile stipulates that salaries and allowances of People’s Majlis MPs will be determined by the parliament.

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Man fined for attempting assault on a police officer

Ahmed Farrah of Evening Rose in Maafannu Ward of capital Malé City has been fined an amount of MVR 3000 for attempting assault on a police officer.

The Criminal Court sentenced Farrah to pay the fine to the court within a period of 30 days.

Local media reports that he was prosecuted for attempting to assault a police officer who tried to stop him at a checkpoint in 2012.

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