News in Brief – Page 279 – Minivan News

GMR welcomes “smooth” handover of airport

GMR has claimed that a transition agreed by GMR Male International Airport Limited (GMIAL) and the state-owned Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has helped ensure a “smooth” management switch-over following a decision to nationalise Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA).

In a statement released yesterday, GMR said that it had worked to try and ensure no passenger or airline services were disrupted by the change of management to MACL. The state-owned company has resumed management of INIA after the present government opted to void the Indian infrastructure giant’s concession agreement – the largest single foreign investment project in the Maldives’ history.

“Even though the legal position and stand of GMIAL remains unchanged, it was purely in recognition of the Court of Appeals, Singapore’s decision that a smooth take-over was facilitated. GMR and Malaysia Airports came to the Republic of Maldives to participate in the development of a modern and progressive Maldives and would not like to leave with the task being half done,” the India-based infrastructure group stated.

“So whilst the legal process for determination of compensation, etc is on and will take its own course; we remain committed and open to a dialogue with the Government of Maldives and in service to the people of Maldives.”

On Sunday (December 9), MACL told Minivan News that there had been no disruption to services at INIA after it resumed management of the site from GMR – a claim backed by several resort operators and airlines at the time.

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‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam elected interim leader of Maldives Development Alliance

Independent MP for Dhaalu Meedhoo, Ahmed ‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam, was elected interim leader of the newly-formed Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) at an inaugural convention held in Male’ last night.

According to Shiyam’s Sun Online, 362 members attended the meeting at Traders Hotel, which was authorised to proceed by the Elections Commission (EC) after it had verified the attendance registry.

Under the regulations governing political parties, at least 300 members are required to attend an inaugural convention of a newly-formed political parties, while 3,000 signatures are needed to form the party.

The tourism magnate was elected interim leader with 335 votes out of 362 ballots cast.

Independent MP for Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo Ahmed Amir was elected as one of three interim deputy leaders, along with Ali Mauroof and Aishath Rafiyya.

In addition to the senior officials, 18 members were elected to the party’s interim council.

While orange was approved as the official colour of the party, members also passed the party’s logo, seal, manifesto and charter.

MDA becomes the 16th political party to be registered in the Maldives since 2005.

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Maldives Under-23 football squad crowned champions in inaugural Mahinda Rajapaksa tournament

The Maldives Under-23 football squad has won the first ever Mahinda Rajapaksa International Football Tournament after defeating Pakistan 2-1 during the final of the four-team regional competition held Sunday (December 9) in Sri Lanka.

The Maldives, who have been beaten only once in the tournament, triumphed in their final match after two second half goals within the space of three minutes by Waheed Rilwan and Abdullah Asadullah proved sufficient to secure victory against Pakistan, according to local media. The match was held at Sri Lanka’s Jayathilake Stadium in Nawalapitya.

Although Pakistan’s Saeed Ahmed threatened a late upset after scoring from a rebounded penalty kick, the Maldives was able to hold on after its opponents squandered a number of chances to bring the score even, according to Pakistan-based publication The News International.

On its way to the finals, the Maldives squad won their first game 3-0 against hosts Sri Lanka, before beating co-finalists Pakistan 1-0 in their second match. Having already qualified for the final, a 1-0 defeat to Bangladesh ended the Maldives unbeaten run in the tournament – however the loss proved to be a temporary setback for the squad’s title aspirations.

Speaking to local sports website Maldives Soccer.com following their victory on Sunday, Maldives coach Istavan Urbanyi praised his young players as being “heroes” for their efforts during the competition. Urbanyi also thanked an estimated 200 fans who were said to have travelled to Sri Lanka for the tournament’s final match.

“Its amazing. I really appreciate the support by the Maldivians who made the atmosphere like home for us,” he said.

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Five minors arrested in connection with assault

Police have arrested five boys under the age of 18 in connection with an assault at the carnival area in Male’ around 4:50pm on Friday (December 7).

According to police, a 22 year-old was stabbed near his left elbow and was treated at the ADK private hospital. He has since been released, police said.

The suspects taken into custody were aged 15, 16 and 17, police revealed.

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India says Maldives must rein in quarters harming bilateral ties: Times of India

“Amid a diplomatic row over cancellation of the GMR contract, India on Friday asked Maldives to control any quarters which may be trying to harm bilateral relations saying the issue should not put a ‘question mark’ on the ties between the two sides, “ according to the Times of India newspaper.

“If they have to take a decision in interest of their society and country and if that decision is taken properly as per laws there, what objections can anyone have there. We would want that whatever is the decision, it should not put any question marks on our friendly relations,” external affairs minister Salman Khurshid said. The minister was asked to comment on the developments in the GMR issue outside Parliament house complex.

“If any quarters there (in Maldives) want that our relations should be harmed, then they should be controlled. I think Maldives and its people know this thing properly and I am sure that they will do the same thing,” Khurshid said.

Asked if the Indian Government would ‘intervene’ in the issue, the minister said: ‘For commercial enterprises no one intervenes, but we have been assured about the security and safety of our citizens and interests there.

To that extent, it is our right and we have also told them about this right.’ ‘On the commercial discussions, we don’t have the right and there is no justification for it. Try to understand the issue in right context and I think there is nothing to worry about,’ he said.”

Government revenue 29 percent higher in November

Government revenue in November was 29 percent higher than the same period last year, the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has revealed.

MIRA collected a total MVR 403.5 million (US$26 million), including US$17.1 million in US dollar receipts during November.

The revenue collected in November was 2.3 percent higher than forecast. Goods and Services Tax (GST) accounted for the largest portion of revenue with 54.6 percent while tourism taxes accounted for 18.4 percent.

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Commonwealth committed to institutional reform, “credible elections” in the Maldives

The Commonwealth has said it will be working with the Maldivian government to push ahead with strengthening and reforming “key public institutions” as it reiterates calls for “inclusive and credible” presidential elections to be held next year.

In a statement issued Friday (December 7), Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said the intergovernmental organisation would continue to work with international partners and Maldivian authorities on a programme of reform and “practical collaboration”.

Over the last twelve months, the Commonwealth has played a key role in terms of the international community’s stance towards the Maldives, particularly following the controversial transfer of power in February in which the present government came to office.

Following allegations by the now opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) that President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan came to power in a “coup d’etat”, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) applied pressure for a reformed Committee of National Inquiry (CNI) to investigate the details behind the change of government.

The CNI’s findings, welcomed by the Commonwealth, US and the UN, rejected accusations that the present government came to power illegally, despite claims from former president Mohamed Nasheed that the report’s conclusions were flawed and failed to include key witness statements and evidence.

The opposition MDP has previously said it holds severe structural concerns about the CNI’s conclusions, but accepted the report had provided a “way forward” to push for institutional reform in areas such as defence and the judiciary.

Teleconference

Following a teleconference held Thursday (December 6) with Maldives Foreign Minister Dr Abdul Samad Abdullah, Commonwealth Secretary General Sharma issued a statement welcoming government assurances that the CNI’s recommendations would be “advanced meaningfully”.

“It continues to be important that there is even-handed implementation of all the recommendations in the Report of the Commission of National Inquiry, including investigations into allegations of police brutality and acts of intimidation,” stated Sharma.

The secretary general also used the statement to emphasize hopes that presidential elections – anticipated to be held during 2013 – would be conducted on a “a level-playing field for all political parties and actors”.

The Commonwealth said it appreciated commitments made by Foreign Minister Dr Samad to this end.

President’s Office Media Secretary Masood Imad was not responding to calls from Minivan News at the time of press over detailing the types of reform the government was said to have committed to following Thursday’s teleconference.

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President Waheed meets US ambassador and British high commissioner in Male’

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan yesterday held separate meetings with both the Ambassador of the United States accredited to the Maldives Michelle J Sison and the British High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives John Rankin in Male’.

According to the Presidents’ Office, Dr Waheed spoke to both diplomats about the current progress towards scheduling presidential elections for next year. The US was also thanked for the assistance it provided in investigating the murder of MP Dr Afrasheem Ali.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Rankin used his meeting to stress that the UK would continue to support political stability in the Maldives, while reiterating hopes that elections in 2013 were carried out “smoothly and independently”.

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Maldives repays US$50m loan to India

The Maldives government has this week repaid a US$50m loan originally supplied by India to the previous administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed, local media has reported.

Citing senior government officials, local newspaper Haveeru reported that the repayment has been made Tuesday (December 4) after the Indian government said it would not be extending the repayment period for the funds.

India late last month requested that the Maldives government make US$50 million in treasury bond (T-bond) payments to India by December, with a second equal payment scheduled to be made in February 2013.

Diplomatic dispute

The Maldives government was in recent weeks been drawn into a diplomatic row with its Indian counterparts over a decision to dismiss an injunction granted to India-based infrastructure group GMR by the High Court of Singapore over the managing Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) in Male’.

Authorities in the country have opted to void the contract signed by GMR and the previous government, whilst vowing that the airport will be run by the state-owned Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL) by Friday (December 7) even with the injunction issued by the Singaporean courts.

Indian media has meanwhile claimed that the Indian government is considering freezing aid to the economically-crippled archipelago, notably a US$25 million loan necessary for the payment of civil servant salaries and the construction of a police academy.

“We are not happy with the way Maldives cancelled the GMR airport deal. This has surely left an impact on our bilateral ties,” a foreign ministry official told AFP. “A decision whether the money should be given or not will be taken soon.”

However the Indian High Commission n Male’ has previously stressed to local media that the suggestion of cutting aid was “unofficial”, adding that such a decision would not be “unilateral”.

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