Category: News in Brief

Parliament approves HRCM president, fails VP nominee

Parliament today voted unanimously to approve Mariyam Azra as the President of the Maldives Human Rights Commission (HRCM), more than a month after the former commission member was nominated to the post.

While 54 MPs voted in favour of the nomination, President Mohamed Nasheed’s nominee to the post of HRCM Vice-President, Jeehan Mahmoud, received 22 votes in favour and 32 against.

Last month, former HRCM President Ahmed Saleem condemned parliament’s failure to approve a president and vice-president as “unforgivable.”

“What the Majlis has done to HRCM is unforgivable, and it’s all because HRCM and human rights are not as important to the Majlis as taking their leave,” he said.

Meanwhile, a coalition of local NGOs echoed Saleem’s concerns, pointing out that the non-appointment of a president and vice-president was “an immense obstacle to the effective functioning of the commission.”

According to article nine of the HRCM Act, the president of the commission holds the chair for meetings.

During the final sitting of the last session of parliament, some MPs objected to having two women as president and vice-president of the commission.

DRP Deputy Leader Ilham Ahmed said that while he considered the people appointed for HRCM as capable, the role of President and Vice President “should include a male.”

“Even if you look at it from a religious perspective or from the perspective of good policy, there should be a male in either post,’’ he said.

Independent MP for Kudahuvadhoo, Ahmed Amir, said it was “against human rights” to have two females in the roles of President and Vice President.

“It is the woman who calls for equality most of the time,’’ said Amir.

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Inland Revenue to recover unpaid debts

The newly instituted Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has undertaken efforts to recover debts and monies owed to the government by various parties.

Commissioner General of Taxation Yazeed Mohamed told newspaper Haveeru that the debts include fees, royalties and rent from 45 different sectors.

While MIRA was working with relevant government authorities to recover the debts, Yazeed said “necessary measures” would be taken from 2011 onward if dialogue and other procedures fail.

The Commissioner General did not reveal the amount being sought by the government.

However, an audit report of the former Department of Inland Revenue released in October 2009 revealed that it had failed to collect over Rf1.1 billion (US$85.6 million) in unpaid taxes, fines and resort rent.

“As a result of the department’s inadequate efforts to collect unpaid taxes, as of 31 July 2009, the government has not received Rf117 million (US$9.1 million) in unpaid taxes and fines and none of these monies has been received as of 30 September 2009,” it reads.

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‘New7Wonders’ campaign launched

A national campaign to promote the Maldives for the New7Wonders of Nature launched at the Male’ International Airport yesterday, reports MNBC One.

As part of the campaign, conducted by the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) in collaboration with resorts and the Maldives Airports Company, two voting stations were set up at the airport.

According to MTPB, leaflets and brochures about the Maldives as well as voting forms will now be available from the airport.

The campaign will continue for the next six months.

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TMA crew in sick leave protest

Ten employees of Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) went on strike on Sunday in protest against the dismissal of a colleague, reports Haveeru.

Haveeru spoke to an anonymous crew member who claimed that the dismissed employee was sacked after failing to provide a urine sample.

Operations Director Ahmed Latheef told Haveeru that some employees were on ‘sick leave’, and that any further comment was internal business. 17 scheduled flights were in operation Sunday.

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Nasheed attends Commonweath Games opening ceremony

President Mohamed Nasheed has attended the Commonwealth Games 2010 Opening Ceremony in India, along with Britain’s Prince Charles, Indian President Pratibha Patil, and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Other foreign dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony included New Zealand Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, Monac’s Prince Albert II and Nauru President Marcus Stephen.

More than 30 athletes from the Maldives will be competing across six different sports.

Nasheed met with the athletes and encouraged all participants to “represent the country with pride.”

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President meets India’s national security advisor

President Mohamed Nasheed has met India’s National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, to discuss the potential for further security cooperation.

During the discussion Menon promised India’s full cooperation to the Maldives in hosting the next SAARC summit, to take place in the Maldives next year.

President Nasheed thanked the government of India for the bilateral assistance provided to the Maldives by the Indian government.

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Earthquake shakes Shaviyani Atoll

Islanders on Milandhoo, Feevah, Foakaidhoo and Narudhoo in Shaviyani Atoll reported feeling an earthquake on Sunday afternoon.

A quake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale was detected in the Indian Ocean 215 miles south of Jakarta at 1:21pm.

“It seemed like the ground slipped under the feet. The people having lunch in their homes came out. The windowpanes also shook,” Foakaidhoo Island Chief Ali Nizar told newspaper Haveeru.

No damage was reported.

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MDP conduct internal elections

The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) conducted internal elections yesterday for party posts.

A total of 455 candidates contested for posts in 77 constituencies, including a president and secretary for each voting district.

For constituencies with an MDP MP in parliament, elections took place for vice-president, secretary, assistant secretary and planning secretary.

With 250 ballot boxes in over a 100 islands, the party claims it was the largest election in the country to date.

Official results will be announced in three days.

Meanwhile, provisional results show that a number of senior government officials, notably State Ministers Ahmed Adhil and Ahmed Inaz and the Fisheries Ministry’s Food Security Coordinator Mohamed “OK” Zahir, lost out.

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Fuvamulah runs out of gas

Rain has prevented gas supplies from reaching Fuvahmulah, forcing the islanders to switch back to wood for fuel, reports Haveeru.

Gas retailers told Haveeru that the two main supply boats have been forced to remain in Laamu and Huvadhu Atoll due to the bad weather. Islanders are now using firewood and oil for cooking.

Haveeru also reported that switching to traditional methods of cooking has been a “painful” experience for the people of Fuvahmulah.

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