Category: News in Brief

Red Crescent launches campaign to promote volunteerism

The Maldives Red Crescent launched a campaign last night (December 30) to promote volunteering and raise awareness of the organisation’s activities.

The campaign dubbed “I Am For Humanity” was officially launched at a function at Trader’s Hotel by chief guest Mohamed Hussain Manik, CEO of the Maldives Pension Office.

As part of the six-month long campaign, the organisation plans to provide information to the public regarding the work of the Red Crescent and recruit volunteers.

Speaking at last night’s function, Red Crescent Secretary General Rasheed Ali said that the organisation has opened branch offices in 10 atolls and units in 20 islands.

The Maldives Red Crescent has more than 1,300 registered volunteers, he said.

Formed in August 2009, the organisation was recognised as a full member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement on November 9, 2011.

On November 23, 2011, the Maldives Red Crescent became the 187th member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

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President vetos state wage policy bill

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has vetoed the bill on state wage policy passed by parliament on December 17.

According to the President’s Office, President Waheed “detailed the 10 main issues noted by the Attorney General regarding the bill” in a letter to the Speaker of the People’s Majlis.

Under article 91(a) of the constitution, the President has 15 days to either ratify or “return for reconsideration” any bill or amendment passed by parliament.

However, 91(b) states that “a majority of the total membership of the People’s Majlis” can override a presidential veto.

The wage policy legislation was passed with 46 votes in favour, two against and two absentions.

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Beckhams still in the Maldives: Haveeru

Football superstar David Beckham and his family are still in the Maldives, despite claims the family had cut short their holiday due to bad weather, local newspaper Haveeru has reported.

“The Beckhams have cut short their £250,000 Christmas break in paradise in the Maldives – because it would not stop raining,” UK-based newspaper, The Sun reported on Saturday (December 29).

According to Haveeru, an official source within Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) and an official from the company operating the Reethi Rah Resort confirmed to the newspaper that the Beckhams were still in the country.

“The reports that he [Beckham] had left is a blatant lie. He is still in the resort. The weather there is also quite good,” an anonymous official told Haveeru.

The Beckhams were reported to have booked the “priciest” suite available at the One and Only Reethi Rah resort, costing £8,600 (MVR 213,892) a night. The Sun newspaper also stated that the family had booked three more suites, each costing £3,7000 (MVR 92,015) a night.

Senior tourism figures have previously welcomed unconfirmed reports that Beckham was in the Maldives with his family, claiming such a high profile figure creates significant publicity for the destination following well publicised unrest earlier this year.

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Police uncover weapons, drugs and money in Addu City house search

Police have said that sharp weapons, drugs and a large sum of money were discovered by its officers in a search of a home in Addu City suspected of being linked to gang activities.

In a statement, the Maldives Police Service has said that a 46 year-old man was arrested in connection with the search, which was conducted by Addu City Hithadhoo Police Station.

According to the police statement, officers discovered two bayonet knives on the property; one inside a cupboard in the house and another outside the building.

MVR70,500 was also found discovered inside a cupboard in the house, while a can containing illegal drugs was uncovered buried outside the house.

Rubber packets used to distribute and sell illegal drugs were also found inside the premises, according to police.

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PPM overtakes DRP to become second largest party

The pro-government Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has overtaken the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) to become the second largest party in the country in terms of membership.

According to membership figures updated by the Elections Commission (EC) on December 27, PPM has 22,802 members while DRP has 22,575 members.

PPM was formed by a breakaway faction of the DRP following an acrimonious split within the then-main opposition party and a public spat between former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and his successor as DRP Leader, MP Ahmed Thasmeen Ali.

At the time of PPM’s formation in October 2011, DRP had 35,260 members.

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Parliament appointee to MBC board resigns from post

Parliament’s appointee to the Board of Directors of the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Nahula Ali has resigned from her position after deciding to contest as a council member for the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Local media reported today that the parliament secretary general had confirmed that receipt of Nahlua’s letter of resignation.

Earlier this week, the Independent Institutions Committee said it was looking into whether Nahula could remain in her post after she decided to contest in the (PPM) council member election, according to media reports.

Member of Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions Rozaina Adam previously told Sun Online that Nahula’s interest in becoming a PPM council member raised questions over her impartiality in her role as board member for the MBC.

The MBC is an institution commissioned to ensure the media remains free of political, economic and financial influence. Both Television Maldives (TVM) and Dhivehi Rajjeyge Adu are run by the institution.

Following her resignation, Nahula has now decided to compete for PPM council membership next month, Sun Online has reported.

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President praises Voice of Maldives as broadcaster turns 50

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has praised state radio broadcaster Voice of Maldives (VOM) on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary, expressing hope the station would work to promote “good social and Islamic values” among young people with its programmes.

Discussing the impact of fifty years of state radio, President Waheed praised the present and former staff of VOM for laying down what he called a “strong foundation” for broadcasting in the nation, according to the Presidents Office.

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Department of Immigration and Emigration transferred to Defence Ministry

Responsibility for overseeing the Department of Immigration and Emigration has been switched to the Ministry of Defence and National Security.

According to the President’s Office, the decision to transfer the department to within the mandate of the Ministry of Defence was taken to make administration of the country’s immigration system more efficient.

The Immigration department had previously been operated under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Immigration Controller Dr Mohamed Ali was not responding to calls at the time of press.

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Parliament committee passes implementing tobacco-free zones as scheduled

Tobacco-free zones are to be implemented from January 1, 2013, after the Subordinate Regulations Committee of the People’s Majlis decided not to delay their introduction, local media has reported.

Entitled “Regulation of Determining Tobacco-Free Zones”, the regulation aims at inhibiting the consumption of tobacco products by prohibiting smoking in certain public areas.

Traders’ associations and MP for Nolhivaram Constituency Mohammed Nasheed proposed to delay the starting date of the Regulation for one year, according to local newspaper Haveeru.

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs were reported to have  supported the proposal to delay the starting date, claiming there to be “a lot of issues” with the regulation.

After considering the matter, the Subordinate Regulations Committee made a final decision on a narrowly-approved vote.

Under the new regulation, smoking or similar consumption of tobacco will be prohibited within the following places; tea shops, cafes and restaurants, parks, government office premises, office premises of companies with government shareholding, office premises of independent state institutions, public places where people usually gather in numbers, old age homes, homes for those who need special care, and rehabilitation centres.

However, under special permission from the Ministry of Health, cafes and restaurants can define a special area where people can smoke.

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