Category: News in Brief

President meets Bhutan ambassador

New Ambassador of Bhutan to the Maldives, Dasho Bap Kesang, presented his credentials to President Mohamed Nasheed at the president’s office on Thursday afternoon.

The president and ambassador discussed the bilateral relations between both countries and ways to strengthen diplomatic ties.

They also discussed the preparations for the upcoming 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit to be held in Bhutan this April.

Bap Kesang is the former ambassador to Bangladesh.

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German Ambassador visits President Nasheed

Ambassador of Germany to the Maldives, Jens Ploetner, paid a courtesy visit to President Mohamed Nasheed on Thursday afternoon at the President’s Office.

They discussed the friendly relationship between the two countries, and spoke of ways to strengthen bilateral ties. They also spoke of the president’s official visit to Germany, where he will be arriving today.

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President speaks of improving electricity and healthcare

In his weekly radio address on the Voice of Maldives on Friday morning, President Mohamed Nasheed spoke of providing affordable and reliable electricity, and quality healthcare, in the islands.

He said it was important that all islands receive electricity from their respective provincial utilities company. President Nasheed said that in his recent visits to the atolls he found the utilities companies provided electricity more efficiently than in the previous system, where electricity was managed by communities.

He added, however, that some islands are opposing the policy to transfer the management of island powerhouses to utilities companies.

Speaking on healthcare, President Nasheed said it was an important priority of the government. He said the government is continuously working to improve the standard of healthcare facilities in the islands.

He added that once the nationwide transport system is complete, it will complement the healthcare policy, as it will provide people better access to their nearest health facility, if the service they require is not available on their island.

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HRCM health survey concluded

In preparation for the Universal Periodic Review, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has concluded a survey which explores the status of health services in Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaal Atolls, reports Miadhu.

The information was collected in Dhidhdhoo, Kelaa and Muraidhoo in Haa Alif Atoll, and Kulhudhuffushi and Hanimaadhoo of Haa Dhaal Atoll.

The HRCM has gathered NGOs, health facility chiefs and members of the public to produce a report to assess the status of the government’s medical insurance programme and the availability of services in health facilities.

The report is being prepared for the Universal Periodic Review of the Maldives which will be held in September 2010 at the UN Human Rights Council.

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President Nasheed speaks of development and politics in Noonu Atoll

President Mohamed Nasheed has said political rivalry in the islands should not impede their development.

Speaking at Noonu Manadhoo, in the final leg of his visit of the northern atolls, President Nasheed urged all parties to communicate in situations of disputes and disagreements.

He said the government would consider public opinion before implementing all its policies.

He spoke on the measures to be taken in improving the education system. He said school boards were formed in most of the schools and they were given considerable authority in the management of the schools.

The president noted the connection between educating the youth and the future development of the country.

President Nasheed also mentioned the transportation and housing projects being set up for Noonu Atoll.

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President submits decentralisation bill

President Mohamed Nasheed has submitted the revised Decentralisation Bill to the People’s Majlis.

The bill states that each of the administrative divisions stated in Schedule 2 of the Constitution—except Malé—will be administered by an atoll council elected in accordance with the Constitution.

It also provides representation to both men and women in the elected island and city councils.

The bill gives the president the authority to establish province offices to provide the services of ministries and coordinate government projects in different regions.

The president also proposed the 2nd amendment bill to Act 2/99 (Tourism Act), to make the industry more sustainable and increase the government’s revenue from tourism.

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Shaheem returns from counter-terror discussions in the UK

State Minister for Islamic Affairs Mohamed Sheikh Shaheem Ali Saeed recently returned from a trip to the UK, the first Islamic scholar from the Ministry to do so with a government delegation.

Shaheem attended discussions on counter-terrorism with a range of relevant authorities, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Cabinet Office, Home Office and heads of counter-terrorism in the Justice Ministry.

He also met with Abbas Faiz, the general secretary of Amnesty International.

“The main objective was to discuss rapidly growing concerns around extremism and terrorism with relevant stakeholders in the UK,” Shaheem told Minivan News.

“There was a lot of discussion on ideas, such as how to fight ideologies and radical ideas. It was a very nice trip.”

In March the state minister will travel to Bangladesh to attend a regional conference for religious leaders organised by USAID and the Asia Foundation.

Shaheem noted that the Maldives was relatively young and inexperienced in fighting ideologies and radicalisation, saying that countries like the US and Pakistan “have been active in this field for a long time.”

“We will benefit from a similar approach as Malaysia,” he said.

Shaheem has recently published several books in Dhivehi on the subject, including Religious Radicalisation and its Solution, and Islam is not a Religion of Terrorism.

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Education the young the foundation for development, President tells Milandhoo

In an address to Shaviyani Milandhoo, President Mohamed Nasheed claimed that educating young people is the vital foundation for the country’s development.

The government’s education policy was intended to increase the number of students passing five subjects to over 40 per cent. The specific target for Milandhoo, he said, was 60 per cent.

He also noted that the island’s health centre has been identified as one of 38 across the country to be upgraded.

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