Category: News in Brief

A nation’s dying democracy: The New York Times

“On March 13, former President Mohamed Nasheed began the first day of a 13-year prison sentence on charges of “terrorism.” For those of us who witnessed the birth of democracy in the Maldives in 2008 and its desperate battle to cling to life, news of his sentencing sounded more like a death knell than a court ruling,” writes Mariyam Shiuna, executive director of Transparency Maldives, in an op-ed for the New York Times.

“The Maldives, an island chain off the Southern coast of India, is home to nearly 400,000 people. It attracts tourists and climate change activists (ours will be one of the first nations to sink if the world keeps warming), but few foreigners stay long enough to learn our history or about our struggle for the freedom affluent visitors often take for granted.

“Our hard-won freedoms are now slipping through our fingers. When Mr. Nasheed, an eloquent dissident who had spent several years in prison and in exile, was elected president in our first free and fair elections in 2008, his victory renewed hope for a future in which we could have a say in how the country is governed. Instead, political persecution has intensified, civil society is silenced and media intimidation has become the norm. The United Nations, several Western governments and many local observers have expressed grave concern over the unfair process followed in Mr. Nasheed’s case as well as legal cases involving other politicians and warn that our democracy is rapidly eroding.”

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Tourists warned to avoid certain resorts: The Telegraph

“The Ethical Maldives Alliance is asking tourists to consider ethical issues when choosing where and how to spend money in the Maldives.. In particular, it has drawn up a list of resorts that it wants visitors to consult so that they can be aware which are the resorts that it says are directly or indirectly linked to human rights abuses,” reports the UK’s Telegraph.

“The alliance believes that tourists can make a difference in protecting democracy in the country.

“The Maldives has a long and sad history of political oppression and human rights abuses,” it said in a statement. “Most tourists to the islands remain blissfully unaware of the realities of life for the local population. Money from tourism provides the bulwark of support to a government with a known record of intimidation and oppression.”

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ACC orders re-evaluation of ‘Get Set’ programme applications

The anti-corruption watchdog has ordered the government to re-evaluate applications submitted for the ‘Get Set’ youth entrepreneurship loan scheme.

According to local media, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) told the youth ministry that it has flagged corruption in the evaluation process.

The commission found that two youth ministry staff were among the recipients chosen by a technical committee.

Of 597 applications, the committee chose 107 recipients based on a selection criteria.

The management of the programme was transferred from the youth ministry to the economic development ministry last week.

The government plans to offer MVR200 million (US$12.9 million) to encourage entrepreneurship among youth and assist the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

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Malé school resumes classes after ‘toxic’ shutdown

A Malé school, shut down last week due to toxic fumes, has resumed classes on Sunday.

A teacher at the Kalafaanu School told Minivan News they had been told the fumes are not harmful despite the unpleasant smell.

The school was shut down after several students complained of dizziness, headaches and nausea.

The fumes are believed to originate from Malé’s power house which is located just a block away from the school.

“The education ministry officials have compiled a report on the issue, however, we have not officially received it,” said Abdul Fahthaah.

The education ministry had said it would make public a report into the source of toxic fumes by last Saturday.

 

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Police in row with opposition MP over tweet

Police have accused opposition MP Rozaina Adam of posting a photo of a police officer on Twitter to intimidate security personnel.

Rozaina had accused the officer in question of obstructing her car on Wednesday night while she was heading to the parliament for a committee meeting.

The MDP said in a statement today that police officers had refused to remove a barricade set up near Dharumavantha School to allow Rozaina’s car through.

When one officer tried to let the car pass, another officer insisted that they must seek permission from a superior officer, the party said.

However, he removed the barricade after talking on a handheld transceiver.

Rozaina posted a tweet with a photo of the officer, her account of the incident, and an article from the parliamentary privileges law, urging police to “keep officers near barricades after teaching them the law.”

“If we are stopped on the way to Majlis, police will have the opportunity to stop us on the road until a vote is taken,” she argued.

However, police said a fire evacuation drill was ongoing at a nearby school at the time and said the officer had informed the senior officer in charge that a car will be passing through as the students were preparing to rush out.

Police criticized Rozaina for posting the photo of the officer, saying her intent was to intimidate, undermine public confidence in police, and bring the institution into disrepute.

The MDP said the police statement was symptomatic of the politicisation of the institution and its senior officers, whom it accused of bearing personal animosity towards opposition MPs.

The opposition party advised senior officers against exerting “political influence” over junior officers and against encouraging illegal actions.

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Gayoom’s son seeks PPM ticket for Dhiggaru by-election

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s eldest son, Farish Maumoon, is seeking the ruling party’s ticket for the upcoming by-election for the vacant Dhiggaru constituency parliament seat.

The by-election, scheduled for June 6, was triggered by the conviction of former Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Nazim on corruption charges. The Supreme Court sentenced Nazim to 25 years in prison on April 6 for defrauding the state of MVR1.4 million (US$91,400).

Ahead of a 4:00pm deadline today, four others have submitted applications to contest the primary, including Meemu atoll councillor Moosa Naseer, Imran Ismail, Moosa Naseer Ahmed, and deputy environment minister Mohamed Hanim.

The candidates are to be first vetted on their loyalty to the party, role in campaigning for the party’s candidate in the 2013 presidential election, and the duration of membership in the party.

A primary will only take place if more than one candidate receives over 75 percent or higher.

The opposition coalition, made up of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, religious conservative Adhaalath Party, and leaders of the Jumhooree Party, are meanwhile holding discussions on fielding a single candidate.

Adhaalath spokesperson Ali Zahir told the press today that he will contest the by-election.

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Second victim of link road accident dies

A second victim of a motorcycle accident in southern Addu City died while undergoing treatment in India last night.

Ahmed Sammah, 20, suffered severe head injuries in the accident on Addu City’s link road on April 1o.

Mamdhoon Ahmed Ali Didi ‘Mandey,’ who was sitting on the back seat of Sammah’s bike died within a few hours of the accident. He had also suffered severe head injuries.

Sammah was treated at the Hithadhoo Regional Hospital and Malé’s Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital before he was flown to India on April 12.

The accident occurred when Sammah attempted to overtake a car.

His death is the third fatality in Addu this month. A 16-year-old victim of an accident died of injuries on March 30 while undergoing treatment at the regional hospital.

Hussein Hilmy, an Addu City councillor, said more police officers are needed to effectively control traffic.

However, police said most accidents in Addu City were caused by speeding rather than traffic congestion.

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Visiting specialist doctors to improve healthcare services

The government is enlisting the services of visiting specialist doctors to improve healthcare services in the Maldives.

The ‘Super Specialist Service’ will employ neurologists, cardiologists, urologists, neurosurgeons, ENT doctos and pediatricians to provide consultations in different parts of the country.

The CEO of the national social protection agency, Mujthaba Jaleel, said twenty two foreign hospitals registered with the government’s health insurance scheme, Aasandha, have applied to send specialist doctors to the Maldives.

The visiting doctors will improve healthcare for people suffering from serious conditions, he said.

“Teams of Super Specialists have arrived today morning and have started work at the blood services unit and the Thalasseimia center. Some will start work at hospitals in the north and south tomorrow,” Mujthaba said.

President Abdulla Yameen inaugurated the Super Specialist service on Wednesday and handed over agreement copies to the overseas hospitals contributing to the super specialist program.

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Dismissed principal to sue education ministry

The former principal of Aminiya School has said she will sue the education ministry for unfair dismissal.

Athiya Naseer was sacked on Monday without warning after the education ministry deemed her a threat to the school. Her dismissal sparked outrage with dozens of teachers signing a petition demanding an explanation from the ministry.

Speaking to Haveeru today, Athiya said she was “shocked” by the dismissal and said: ““Honestly, I have no idea what the issue is.”

Aathiyaa said in her four years as the principal, the only “damages” she had caused were increasing the number of students who passed tenth grade exams and improving the students’ discipline and the school’s reputation.

Several teachers have alleged the move was politically motivated as Athiya is the wife of former opposition MP Ahmed Abdulla.

Parents of students attending Aminiya school have also criticised the education ministry’s decision. Some students told Haveeru they saw Athiya more as a friend than a principal.

The education ministry has declined to comment on the issue.

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