Category: News in Brief

Civil Court rules banning private vehicles for uncertified roadworthiness is illegal

The Civil Court ruled last week that only vehicles used at construction sites and for public transport could be banned from use by the Maldives Transport Authority for expired or uncertified roadworthiness.

The judgment was delivered in a case filed by lawyer Idhuham Muiz contesting the legality of the Maldives Transport Authority – under the remit of the Transport Ministry – banning privately-owned vehicles for not being certified for roadworthiness within a set period after registration or expiration.

Muiz argued that the transport authority’s actions violated the Land Vehicles Act of 2009, which specified that banning vehicles for failing to meet driving safety standards applied only to those used at construction sites and for public transport.

“As these purposes are expressed in the law, use of registered or newly registered vehicles with roadworthiness either expired or uncertified within the period set by the [transport authority] could only be banned for these two purposes,” the Civil Court judgment reads.

Judge Mariyam Nihiyath ruled that owners of vehicles banned by the authority should be compensated.

Former Attorney General Husnu Suood meanwhile told Sun Online that police could no longer fine owners for driving vehicles with uncertified roadworthiness.

Moreover, individuals on whom the now-illegal fines were imposed could sue for compensation.

Owners found to be driving vehicles with either expired or no roadworthiness certificates are fined and have their licenses withheld by police.

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Z-DRP launch blood donation drive

The opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party’s (DRP) Zaeem-faction launched a blood donation drive dubbed “DRP’s blue blood for the nation” yesterday as part of celebratory activities to mark the party’s sixth anniversary.

The Z-faction’s spokesperson Mohamed “Mundhu” Hussein Shareef told newspaper Haveeru that a large number of people, including politicians and MPs, have participated in the programme.

The programme was undertaken by the party’s Youth Wing, led by Gassan Maumoon, in collaboration with the Maldives Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) and is taking place at the NGO’s office building.

Mundhu added that over 200 people had registered to participate so far.

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Shahum and Shimaz appear in court, deny murdering Ahusan

Ibrahim Shahum Adam and Hassan Shimaz Mohamed Suad have denied in court charges that they murdered 21 year-old Ahusan Basheer in March, reports Haveeru.

The prosecution alleged that pair stabbed Ahusan near the junction of Majeedhee Magu and Alikileygefaanu Magu on March 17 at 3:20am. He later died during treatment at Indira Gandhi Memorail Hospital (IGMH).

Shahum and Shimaz were given 10 days by the judge to appoint the services of a lawyer, on their request. The judge said the court would consider the prosecution’s request to keep the men in custody until a verdict was reached.

Haveeru alleged that on conclusion of proceedings Shahum threatened a journalist, and warned the reporter not to publish a story.

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Maldives beaten 4-0 in World Cup qualifying game against Iran

The Maldives national football team lost 4 nil to Iran in Tehran last night in the first leg of the World Cup qualifying group stage match.

Striker Karim Ansarifard opened the scoring in the fourth minute but had to wait until the 62nd minute to get his second. Captain Ali Karimi added the third goal when he scored from a corner six minutes later while substitute Saeid Daghighi netted the fourth with two minutes to go. 

Maldives will have to beat the three-times Asian Champions with a higher score in the return leg on July 28 in Male’ to qualify for the second group stage.

Iran set a World Cup qualifying record when it beat the Maldives 17-0 in 1997. However the last time the two nations met in April 2000, Iran won the Asian Cup qualifying game 3-0.

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Latest dengue fatality makes 2011 worst year on record

A 22 year-old man has died in Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) of dengue fever, reports Haveeru, taking the death toll to 11 and making 2011 the worst recorded year for fatalities due to the virus.

Ten people died in 2006 from the mosquito-borne virus.

The latest victim, Ahmed Shinah from the island of Vaadhoo in Gaaf Dhaal Atoll, was treated for dengue fever at regional hospitals in Villingili and Thinadhoo, Haveeru reported.

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DRP to seek public opinion ahead of 2013 presidential campaign

The main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) will begin travels across the country “in about two months” to seek public opinion in preparation for the 2013 presidential election, DRP Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali said last night.

Speaking at a ceremony in Funadhoo in Shaviyani Atoll to mark the party’s sixth anniversary, Thasmeen explained that it was necessary to find out the concerns of young people, who will make up the majority of the electorate in 2013, as well as the needs and opinions of other age groups.

According to newspaper Haveeru, Thasmeen speculated that a majority of voters were unhappy with the current government “because of the difficult situation the Maldivian people are facing now.”

“Therefore, we can only bring the country back to the right track if DRP wins the upcoming presidential election,” he said.

Thasmeen also expressed gratitude to former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on the occasion of the party’s sixth anniversary, who was made the DRP’s ‘Honorary Leader’ at its national congress in March 2010.

The Z-faction of the DRP meanwhile launched separate activities to celebrate the anniversary at a rally Thursday night.

The breakaway faction formed around the party’s ‘Zaeem,’ led by dismissed Deputy Leader Umar Nasser, opened a new office last week for use by Gayoom.

Speaking at the anniversary rally, Gayoom invited DRP members who wished to seek an  audience with him to make appointments at the new office, which is located in Boduthakurufaanumagu a short distance from the DRP’s main office.

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Nasheed opens new mosque in Rasdhoo

President Mohamed Nasheed opened a new 600-capacity mosque yesterday built in Rasdhoo in Alif Alif Atoll by Universal Enterprises.

According to the President’s Office, “the mosque was constructed in remembrance of the late Aminath Hussain Kaleyfaanu of Kolige, daughter of the late Maizaandhoshuge Hussain Kaleyfaanu of Rasdhoo.”

Following the opening ceremony, islanders of Rasdhoo presented Universal Enterprises Chairman Mohamed Manik with a memento of appreciation.

The mosque was designed by Ahmed Abbas and built by private contractors Amin Construction.

Prior to his visit to Rasdhoo, the President on Thursday met the island councils of Rinbudhoo, Meedhoo and Bandidhoo during a tour of Dhaal Atoll.

President Nasheed spoke about decentralisation and devolving more decision-making powers to local councils and exchanged views on planned development projects.

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Water Solutions release Addu City tourist map

Local environment consultancy company Water Solutions has released a comprehensive and up-to-date tourist map dubbed “Discover Addu City.”

Haveeru reports that the tourist chart was unveiled at an official function Thursday by Addu City Mayor Abdulla Sodiq.

The map features bus routes and stops, road networks and places of interest, such as special geographical features or historical relics and heritage sites.

Water Solutions explained that the map was intended for tourists visiting the southernmost atoll ahead of this year’s SAARC [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] summit due to place November in Addu City.

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MNDF destroys washed up missile

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has destroyed a broken missile that washed up ashore last week on the island of Goidhoo in Noonu Atoll.

An MNDF expert was dispatched to the island to study the missile, who determined that it was a naval missile.

As the expert believed the broken missile could still pose a danger depending on the way it was handled, the missile was safely disposed of around 4.15pm yesterday.

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