Month: October 2014

Former Thilafushi Corporation head given 3 years for corruption

Former Thilafushi Corporation Managing Director (MD) Ibrahim Riyaz was sentenced to jail for 3 years by the Criminal Court today after being found guilty of using his influence to gain unlawful advantages in the Thilafushi land reclamation project.

The Criminal Court sentence read that Riyaz had denied corruption charges, claiming that the decision to award the project to Heavy Load Maldives was made by the company board of directors.

Heavy Load is owned by the family of Maldives Democratic Party MP and Deputy Speaker of the Majlis ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik.

The troubled reclamation deal – awarded in 2010 as part of the Thilafalhu Industrial Zone project – faced repeated delays due to both technical and financial reasons.

The Criminal Court today countered Riyaz’s defense  saying that he was not able to prove that the decision was made by the board of directors, and accused the former MD of making the decision himself in order to gain personally.

The decision to award the contract to Heavy Load Maldives was made against the rules and regulations of the company as well, read the sentence.

The mega-construction company was paid a mobilisation fee of MVR 38.6 million (US$ 2.52 million) by the Thilafushi Corporation in the project with the whole project reported to be worth US$ 21 million.

Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) officials ordered the project halted in February 2011, citing the potential for corruption with the deal – though Moosa himself at the time alleged the decision to have been politically motivated.

The Thilafushi Corporation later sued the ACC for the decision to stop the work.

The state-owned corporation reportedly told a Majlis subcommittee last year that it had lost MVR650 million (US$42 million) as a result of the failure of Heavy Load to reclaim the required 152 hectares within the 6 month period agreed.

Criminal Court also charged two other executives of Thilafushi Corporation for participating in the corruption but were unable to prove their involvement.

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Malaysian high commission to hold futsal tournament

The Maldivian High Commission in Malaysia will host a Maldives Futsal Carnival next month at Sunway Extreme Park on the outskirts of the capital Kuala Lumpur.

“The event is to include a Futsal tournament with both male and female participating teams from Malaysia and Singapore, food stalls, cultural performances and children’s games and play activities,” read a high commission press release.

The event – held in collaboration from Maldivian volunteers from the expat community – will be held in celebration of the Maldives’ Republic Day on November 15.

Futsal – a variant of 5-a-side football – has become increasingly popular in the cramped quarters of Malé, with a number of new facilities provided in recent months. Maldivian students held a similar tournament in Malaysia in 2011.

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MDP seeks members for internal committees

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has invited members to apply for membership of the party’s internal committees before November 2.

At a press conference today, MP Imthiyaz Fahmy explained that the party was seeking members for 17 standing committees.

The list includes committees dealing with international relations, transport, housing, rights, research and policies, elections, organisation, economic affairs, fund raising, fisheries and agriculture, media, membership and campaigns, legal affairs, security, health, education, and employment and social affairs.

Interested candidates were asked to submit applications to the party’s head office – Henveiru Sharasha on Sosun Magu – before 3pm on November 2.

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Parliament approves MVR46million budget for audit office

Parliament today approved an annual budget of MVR46 million (US$2.9 million) for the Auditor General’s Office for 2015 as recommended by the public accounts committee (PAC).

The PAC’s report was approved unanimously with 64 votes in favour.

While the audit office had requested a MVR93 million (US$6 million) budget, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury advised the public finance oversight committee that the audit office’s annual expenses would not exceed MVR46 million.

The finance ministry pledged to provide additional funds out of the contingency budget if the audit office’s functioning was affected by budget restrictions.

The Auditor General’s Office had requested allocations of funds for the construction of an office in Hulhumalé. However, Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad told the committee of plans for a building to house all independent institutions.

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Majlis passes amendment allowing president to reappoint auditor general

Parliament today approved an amendment proposed by Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Thoriq to the Audit Act enabling the president to reappoint the auditor general – four years before the end of the incument Niyaz Ibrahim’s seven year term.

Following the presentation of a report (Dhivehi) by the economic affairs committee to the People’s Majlis floor after reviewing amendments submitted by the government to the Audit Act, Thoriq proposed adding a clause stating that the president shall nominate for parliamentary approval an individual or individuals to the post of auditor general within 30 days of ratifying the amendments.

Thoriq’s amendment – seconded by PPM MP Ibrahim Didi – passed with 36 votes in favour and 22 against while opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs protested vociferously, contending that the amendment was unconstitutional.

The amendments should not have been put to a vote as it allows the dismissal of an incumbent auditor general without following the constitutional process for impeachment, opposition MPs argued.

Article 218 of the Constitution states that the auditor general could be removed from office “(a) on the ground of misconduct, incapacity or incompetence; and (b) a finding to that effect by a committee of the People’s Majlis, pursuant to article (a) and upon the approval of such finding by the People’s Majlis by a majority of those present and voting, calling for the Auditor General’s removal from office”.

Thoriq’s amendment was added to revisions to the Audit Act submitted on behalf of the government by PPM MP Ibrahim Waheed to bring the 2007 law in line with the Constitution adopted in August 2008.

The legislation was part of a raft of bills submitted by the government to abolish provisions in conflict with the new constitution.

Waheed’s amendments did not include revisions to sections dealing with the appointment and dismissal of the auditor general.

During the final debate on the government-sponsored amendments at today’s sitting, Thoriq said he proposed the amendment with reference to Article 211(b) of the Constitution, which states, “A statute shall specify the responsibilities, powers, mandate, qualifications, and ethical standards of the Auditor General.”

Thoriq noted that the Audit Act was passed in 2007 before the ratification of the constitution the following year and did not specify the responsibilities, mandate, qualification and ethical standards of the auditor general.

However, he added, the amendments submitted by the government do specify the criteria.

“The current auditor general is competent. I wish and believe as well that when this amendment is passed and ratified his name will be sent for our approval,” he said.

However, MDP MPs insisted that the purpose of Thoriq’s amendment was replacing the current auditor general.

The amendment bill – with Thoriq’s amendment – was passed with 40 votes in favour and 25 against.

Appointment and dismissal

The 17th People’s Majlis unanimously approved former President Mohamed Nasheed’s nomination of Niyaz Ibrahim to the post of auditor general in May 2011.

During a meeting of the public accounts committee last week with Niyaz and Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad concerning the audit office’s budget for 2015, Thoriq alleged that 60 percent of audit office staff were unhappy with Niyaz’s leadership.

Thoriq also accused the auditor general of releasing a damning audit report of the finance ministry ahead of the parliamentary polls in March and withholding reports exposing corruption in the MDP government.

In response, Niyaz said he was not surprised that employees of the audit office met politicians to complain about the auditor general, contending that some staff members were unhappy with stricter workplace regulations.

A timetable or schedule for publishing audit reports has been shared with the public accounts committee, he noted.

Moreover, the majority of audit reports released during his tenure were of government ministries and state institutions under the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed, Niyaz observed, adding that it was used as “campaign material” against the MDP presidential candidate during last year’s presidential election.

Niyaz was appointed to the post following parliament’s dismissal of former Auditor Ibrahim Naeem in March 2010 in a no-confidence motion.

Naeem was accused of corruption by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of using state funds to buy a tie and visit Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll.

Naeem had claimed the charges were an attempt to discredit his office and prevent him from reclaiming the government’s money stored in overseas bank accounts.

“A lot of the government’s money was taken through corrupt [means] and saved in the banks of England, Switzerland, Singapore and Malaysia,” Naeem told the press ahead of the no-confidence vote.

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President makes creative arts optional after pressure from religious conservatives

President Abdulla Yameen will make creative arts – including music and dance – optional subjects in the next year’s school curriculum after pressure from religious conservative organisations and political parties.

Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali tweeted his gratitude towards the president, though he was unavailable to comment on the news at the time of publication. President’s office spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz also tweeted about the decision.

Local media reported that religious NGO Jamiyyathul Salaf had met with the president to voice concerns as well as sending a letter identifying ‘anti-Islamic’ aspects in the new curriculum.

Speaking to Raajje.mv after the meeting, Jamiyyathul Salaf President Abdulla Mohamed said government ministers at the meeting denied the fact that creative arts was compulsory saying that it seemed unlikely that there would be any amendments to the curriculum.

The NGO Jamiyyathul Salaf put out a press statement last month describing the decision to make music and dance compulsory as an “insult to Islam”, contending that music is prohibited in Islam.

The meeting in question was also attended by the Islamic minister, education minister Dr Aishath Shiham, and the Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdullah.

The education minister had previously stated at a press conference of the Cabinet’s Social Council last week (October 23) that the whole curriculum was based on Islamic values and codes of behavior.

The religious conservative Adhaalath Party declared last week that it had been working ceaselessly to ensure that music and dance are not included as compulsory subjects in the new curriculum.

Meanwhile, Shaheem noted that Quran was included as a compulsory subject in the new curriculum and declared his support for efforts to “broaden Islamic education and Arabic language”.

Earlier this year, Islamic ministry unveiled its policies and plans for the year, placing great emphasis on strengthening Islamic education by focusing on schools and the youth population. The ministry has also revealed plans for an Islamic University in the Maldives.

Plans included sermons at school assemblies, special Islamic workshops, and a monthly Islamic magazine which is to be distributed to all schools and public libraries.

Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said the government will mainstream Arabic education in the Maldives, focusing particularly on Islamic education and the study of Quran.

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Majlis throws out 5055 signature petition on Rilwan’s disappearance

The People’s Majlis on Tuesday threw out a 5055 signature petition which urged the parliament’s National Security Committee to pressure the Maldives Police Services to conduct a speedy and thorough investigation.

In a letter to MP Imthiyaz Fahmy, who sponsored the petition, Majlis Secretary General Ahmed Mohamed said the petition had failed to fulfill requirements outlined in the Majlis standing orders.

Condemning the move, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP said Secretary General Mohamed had later admitted the rejection of the petition was “a mistake” and confirmed it had been submitted according to all procedures.

“We are extremely concerned. The MDP submitted the case to various subcommittees. Ruling party MPs killed the case in every single committee, and have now killed the 5055 signature petition submitted by Rilwan’s family,” Fahmy MP said.

“I don’t know whether they will be looking at it again. But they [Majlis] did admit that what they did was wrong when they threw out the petition. They have completely ignored the law when they issued a letter to me to saying the petition does not meet requirements.”

The Majlis secretariat had said the sponsoring MP had not signed all pages of the petition as Article 200 of Majlis regulations. However, Fahmy pointed out his signature was in fact present on all pages.

Article 199 the Majlis standing orders state a petition can only be submitted on a bill submitted to Majlis, an issue taken up in Majlis, or an issue of public concern.

Fahmy’s urgent motion on Rilwan’s disappearance on August 19 was accepted with bipartisan support.

“When I countered all of their arguments, they at last said it was a mistake. All the required signatures were there. Then, not knowing what to say, they said we will try to proceed. What kind of answer is this?” the Maafannu North MP said.

“The PPM holds a majority in Majlis. Their refusal to look into the issue via Majlis sub committees and rejection of the petition indicates the government’s stand on this issue.”

Despite public outcry, the PPM has largely remained indifferent. Today is the 81st day since the reporter disappeared.

The petition, submitted on September 4, asked MPs to investigate if the police had been negligent in investigating Rilwan’s disappearance and asked MPs to find out if an abduction reported on August 8 in front of Rilwan’s apartment building was connected to his disappearance.

Four men have been arrested over the case, but only one man remains in custody at present. The police have only revealed few details on the investigation.

Home Minister Umar Naseer said he believed Rilwan is alive and promised to return him safe to his family. He has also acknowledged involvement of criminal gangs in the case.

Human rights NGO Maldivian Democracy Network released a report in September implicating radicalised gangs in Rilwan’s disappearance.

Discounting theories of voluntary disappearance and suicide, the investigation – conducted by Glasgow-based Athena Intelligence and Security – concludes the disappearance is likely to have been an abduction.

The report confirmed evidence of possible “hostile surveillance” at the terminal conducted by two known affiliates of Malé based Kuda Henveiru gang.

The NGO on October 23 accused the police of negligence in investigating the disappearance for their failure to inform the public on progress and failure to confirm if the abduction reported on the night Rilwan went missing was related to his disappearance.

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Coastguard to conduct joint military exercise with India, Sri Lanka

The Maldives National Defence Force’s (MNDF) coastguard will be conducting the 12th edition of the ‘Dosti’ joint military exercise with the Indian and Sri Lankan coastguards from October 28 to 31.

The Indian High Commission explained in a press statement yesterday that 11 editions of the joint exercise have taken place since 1991.

“The aim of India-Maldives-Sri Lanka Tri-Lateral Exercise ‘DOSTI’ is to further fortify the friendship, enhance mutual operational capability, and exercise interoperability and to build cooperation between the Coast Guards of Maldives, India and Sri Lanka,” the press release stated.

“The focus areas during Dosti-XII will be to exercise the important charter of Coast Guard duties, including Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Marine Pollution Response (POLRES) and Anti-piracy operations.

“For the first time the exercise will also be viewed by representatives from maritime forces of Seychelles and Mauritius.”

The military vessels involved in the exercise – two ships from the Indian coastguard, one from Sri Lanka, and two from Maldives – “will practise responding to actual emergencies of Search and Rescue, Medical evacuation and Pollution Control response at Sea which will further enhance the ability of each Coast Guard to attend to real emergencies at sea.”

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New UN resident coordinator presents credentials to President Yameen

Newly-appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator for the Maldives Shoko Nada presented her credentials to President Abdulla Yameen at a ceremony at the President’s Office this morning.

According to the UN in Maldives, Noda – who assumed office on October 19 – has served as the Country Director for UNDP Nepal from 2011 before joining UNDP Maldives.

She began her United Nations career in 1998 as a Junior Professional Officer  and went onto fill various positions in UNDP Headquarters in New York and other UNDP Country Offices around the world.

Shoko has also worked for the UNDP in Mongolia, Former Republic of Yugoslavia, in Kosovo and in Tajikistan. Between 2005 and 2010 she worked for the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan, and has also worked as  the Special Assistant for the then-UNDP Administrator Mark Malloch Brown.

“We look forward to closer collaboration with the Government, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other relevant development partners to ensure continued progress and development of Maldives,” Ms Noda stated upon assuming office.

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