Category: News in Brief

Candidates announced for PPM senior posts

The government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) unveiled the candidates for several of its key senior posts yesterday (December 22).

Local media reported that interim leader and figurehead, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, was the only candidate for party leader or president, while a number of candidates would be contesting for two deputy leader posts.

The candidates for PPM deputy leader include MP Ahmed Nihan, Hussain Manik, MP Ilham Ahmed, MP Moosa Zameer, MP Ahmed Mahloof, MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb and former MP ‘Jausar’ Jaufar Easa Adam.

At a press conference yesterday, PPM also announced 39 candidates for the party’s council. Additionally, candidates for the head of branches or local chapters, the PPM’s women’s and youth wing and various committees were also detailed.

Daughter of former President Gayoom, Dhunya Maumoon, was the only candidate for president of the PPM’s women’s wing.

Internal elections for the party’s posts are due to take place at the long-delayed national congress scheduled between January 17 to January 19, 2013.

In October this year, the PPM congress was postponed for a third time.

Local daily Haveeru reported at the time that that the party cited “political turmoil” as the reason for the delay. The newspaper noted that the party’s charter stipulates that a congress should be held in the first six months after official registration.

The party held its inaugural convention in October 2011.

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Maldives cabinet marks 80th anniversary

The Maldivian cabinet marked its 80th anniversary yesterday (December 22).

Formed in 1932, the first cabinet portfolios included a total of twelve ministries, including the prime minister’s office, the defence ministry and justice ministry, the President’s Office has said.

In the last 80 years, the Maldives’ cabinet has been led by by Prime Minister Mohamed Fareed, Foreign Minister Hassan Fareed, Prime Minister Mohamed Ameen, Prime Minister Ibrahim Faamdheyri Kilegefaanu, Ibrahim Nasir as Prime Minster and then President, Prime Minister Ahmed Zaki, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, President Mohamed Nasheed and President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan.

According to the President’s Office, notable cabinet figures in the Maldives political history include include Mohamed Amin Didi, who was the youngest ever cabinet minister at 22.

Meanwhile, former President Gayoom was noted as the longest serving cabinet minister,while Moomina Haleem was the first female cabinet minister appointed as Minister of Health on January 6, 1977.

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“Be strong”: President Waheed’s brother tells former President Nasheed

Naushad Waheed, former Deputy High Commissioner to the UK and brother of President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan, has urged former President Mohamed Nasheed to “be strong” in a public message published yesterday (December 21).

The message came after Nasheed was prevented from the leaving the country to visit his ill father in Bangkok, Thailand.

“Be strong. Waheed will know you will be very sad when he stops you travelling [on] this trip,” he wrote.

While in jail under the autocratic rule of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Naushad noted that Gayoom had refused to allow him to attend his mother’s funeral.

“So Waheed is following all the footsteps from Golhaboa [derogatory term for Gayoom]. Revenge is the only word for them. Be strong,” Naushad wrote.

Naushad, a famous artist, was first arrested in 1999 following publication of a cartoon in a magazine called Hukuru. Two years later, he was arrested for criticism of the Gayoom administration and found guilty of treason.

He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Naushad became Deputy High Commissioner to the UK following Gayoom’s defeat in the October 2008 presidential election.

He later resigned from the post following the transfer of presidential power on February 7 and called on his brother to follow suit.

Meanwhile, President Waheed met former President Gayoom at Muleeage on Wednesday night. Gayoom told local media that “nothing special” was discussed and that the meeting was “just a friendly visit.”

Gayoom reportedly claimed that the pair were “old friends.” PPM Deputy Leader Umar Naseer meanwhile said the party’s interim leader and figurehead met President Waheed “frequently” for “lunch or dinner.”

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Ahmed Sareer takes up Maldives Permanent Representative role at UN

Ahmed Sareer has taken up the role of the Maldives Permanent Representative to the United Nations on Thursday (December 20) after presenting his letter of credence, local media has reported.

Sareer, who was appointed to the permanent representative role by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan earlier this month, was officially confirmed in the position at a ceremony overseen by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon at the organisation’s headquarters.

In a Foreign Ministry statement seen by local newspaper Haveeru, Sareer praised the UN for its ongoing role in the Maldives pushing for national developments in areas such as human rights and climate change.  He also welcomed the UN’s role in providing the nation with technical assistance such as with the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for next year.

Sareer has previously served as the Maldives’ High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

Sareer’s name was earlier forwarded earlier this year for parliamentary approval as a replacement for Abdul Gafoor Mohamed, who resigned from the UN post over concerns about February’s transfer of power.

Gafoor announced his intention to resign from the post live on Al Jazeera’s ‘The Stream’ programme shortly after the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed.

“I believe the new president should have the opportunity to have his views and policies presented to the world community through representatives who serve him without equivocation or reservation,” Gafoor told Al Jazeera at the time.

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MACL Managing Director appointed as Transport Minister

President Mohamed Waheed has appointed Mohamed Ibrahim as Minister of State for Transport and Communications after removing him from his Managing Director post at Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

Replacing Ibrahim as MD of MACL is Dr Ibrahim Mahfooz, who has served as the Chief Internal Auditor of State Trading Organisation (STO) for the last 16 years.

Mohamed Ibrahim will be taking over from Acting Transport Minister Mohamed Nazim.

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MP Yameen accuses National Movement of damaging diplomatic relations with India

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Parliamentary Group Leader Abdulla Yameen has said in local media that any damage to relations between India and the Maldives  is the result of the actions of the National Movement.

During an interview with private broadcaster DhiTV on Tuesday (December 18), Yameen claimed that the airport was not withdrawn from GMR due to the pressure of National Movement, which had strongly opposed the deal.

He added that the decision to void the airport development agreement was made by the coalition government after all parties backed the move, according to the Sun Online news service.

Yamin also alleged that during rallies held by the National Movement, some participants spoke in a tone about GMR and the airport development that might have caused diplomatic issues with India.

According to Sun Online, Yameen was also quoted as claiming that the ongoing protests and rallies being held by the National Movement were unnecessary.  He added that the Maldives might have to face difficulties due to the recent activities of the National Movement.

Earlier this week, National Movement steering committee member and Minister of State for Finance Abbas Adil Riza said efforts would be taken to “break up” parliament should its dispute with the Supreme Court continue.

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Parliament approves signing Convention against Transnational Organised Crime

Parliament approved the Maldives acceding to the United Nations (UN) Convention against Transnational Organised Crime following consideration by committee on Monday (December 17) .

Transnational crimes specified in the convention include terrorism, drug smuggling, illegal migration, fraud, kidnapping, money laundering, and human trafficking.

Once the convention is officially signed, the specified crimes committed by a Maldivian or foreign national can be prosecuted in Maldivian courts.

Also at Monday’s sitting, MPs passed a resolution calling on the government to issue without delay MVR 100 million (US$6.4 million) allocated for fuel subsidies to fishermen from the 2012 state budget.

A bill proposed by pro-government Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) MP Riyaz Rasheed to specify circumstances where state benefits could be denied to ex-Presidents was meanwhile rejected after preliminary debate.

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MDP calls for release of Abdulla Jaavid

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called for the release of its Chairperson ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik’s son-in-law Abdulla Jaavid, who has been arrested in connection to the murder of MP Dr Afrasheem Ali earlier this year.

On Sunday (December 16) the High Court upheld a Criminal Court order to extend Javid’s detention claiming police had a phone call recording as evidence to support their accusation of his involvement in the murder.

The MDP accused the police of attempting to pin Afrasheem’s murder of MDP members instead of going after those guilty of the crime, a statement seen by local media has read.

The party further reportedly stated that police had detained two of its members Mariyam Naifa and Alli ‘Smith’ Hashim for an extended period of time before releasing them without any charges.

The statement, according to local media, read: “If someone is being detained on such allegations, there should be enough evidence to file charges. Smith was kept in detention until the Ungoofaaru by-election was over. He was released less than 24 hours after final voting results were announced. All these things show us that the police are trying to frame MDP for the murder of Dr Afrasheem.”

Police Commissioner Abdulla Riyaz, who earlier stated that the motive behind the murder was political, was also accused in the statement of not having any evidence to back up his claims.

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Bidding period for Herethera Resort extended for third time by Maldives Tourism Development Corporation

The bidding period for the management or purchase of Herethera Resort has been extended for the third time by Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).

MTDC is still looking for a party to purchase or manage the resort after the last bidding period closed on Sunday (December 16). The latest bidding period will continue until January 21.

The company has not stated why the last bidding period ceased, but on previous instances they said that they had to cancel bids due to a lack of interest from potential investors.

ONYX, a company from Thailand, previously managed the resort until February this year.

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