Category: News in Brief

MJA condemns parliament’s Privilege Committee’s decision to summon DhiTV editor

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has condemned parliament’s Privileges Committee’s decision to summon DhiTV Editor Midhath Hilmy for questioning, over an issue submitted to the committee by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson and MP ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik.

Moosa submitted a complaint alleging that DhiTV had violated his and his family’s privacy and personal life in different reports broadcast by the organisation.

The MJA noted that it was the parliament that made laws to make the news organisations responsible and handed the work to another institution.

MJA claimed that the committee made the decision in violation of the regulation and procedures made to summon people to the parliament.

“If the committee should decide on a matter concerning the media it will be a huge challenge for the media and it could narrow freedom of press,” the MJA stated.

The MJA called for the matter to be instead submitted to an institution with oversight of the media.

Last year the DhiTV editor was summoned regarding the same issue. He told local media that he did not have anything to say on the matter because he already responded to the committee last year.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Parliament rejects resolutions on torture commission, committee allowance

Parliament yesterday (November 12) rejected resolutions proposing the formation of an inquiry commission to investigate torture in prisons and scrapping controversial MVR 20,000-a-month committee allowances.

A resolution submitted by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Mohamed Rasheed ‘Kubey’ to form an independent commission with foreign judges to investigate torture and custodial abuse during the 30-year rule of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was rejected 40-28 with two abstentions.

MDP MPs voted in favour of the resolution while government coalition MPs and some independent MPs voted against the proposal.

A resolution submitted by Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Mahloof to scrap committee allowances was meanwhile rejected 33-23 with 12 abstentions.

During preliminary debate on the resolution, MPs from both the MDP and government-aligned parties questioned MP Mahloof’s sincerity in submitting the allowance, with many alleging that the Galholhu South MP has one of the poorest attendance records in Majlis.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

PhD courses to be introduced by National University

PhD programs in law and pedagogy are to be launched by the Maldives National University (MNU) tomorrow.

Chancellor of MNU Fayyaz Ali Manik said the PhD positions will only be available for two or three students in the beginning.

He added that two Maldivian supervisors are available to lead the PhD programs.

The university currently offers a few degree courses, while other colleges in Male’ offer degree and masters course.

Programs in political science are planned to be introduced by the university next year.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Audit Office’s state budget increased by MVR 14 million

The Audit Office’s state budget has been increased by MVR 14 million, following approval by Parliament’s Public Finance Committee.

This year the Audit Office was approved a budget of MVR 57.8 million by the committee, as opposed to last year’s budget of MVR 44.5 million.

According to a member of the committee, the budget of MVR 57.8 million, as proposed by the Audit Office, was passed after thorough assessment by the Sub-Committee, and due to the importance of the work carried out by the Audit Office.

Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim said that the budget had to be increased to facilitate the recruitment of 43 additional employees to the office.

From the MVR 57.8 million, MVR 54 million has been assigned as recurrent expenditure and MVR3.8 million as capital expenditure.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

LGA blamed for hindering City Council’s mandate

The Local Government Authority (LGA) has been blamed by Male’ City Council for failing to cooperate with the council in providing services to the people.

In a statement made by the council, it alleged that legally obligated plans are currently pending due to LGA failing to heed requests for technical expertise for the work of the City Council.

The Council also highlighted that LGA had failed to provide information and extend cooperation needed to draft plans for the development of the capital Male.

“Male City Council has failed to provide the services to the people as the resources and funds needed haven’t been received from the relevant authorities.

“In addition, each and every responsibility being looked at in an investigative manner by LGA and relevant State institutions is unnecessary,” a City Council statement said.

The statement alleged that following the regime change on February 7, political influence has found its way into the new LGA board, creating a major obstacle to the council’s mandate.

The LGA have also been accused by City Council of launching investigations into every request made for the assistance of the authority.

The decentralisation system could collapse if the LGA failed to extend cooperation and assistance to the councils, City Council warns.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Voluntary pension scheme proposal rejected

A proposal to make contributions to the pension scheme voluntary has been rejected by the Parliament’s Social Committee.

The current Pension Act stipulates that it is obligatory to participate in the pension scheme, however a revision of the act has been proposed by Fares-Maathoda MP, Ibrahim Mutthalib.

Mutthalib’s revision states that the pension scheme should be made voluntary and the current pension wage of 7 percent should be reduced to 3.5 percent of salaries.

After assessment and discussion, it was decided by the Committee that the Pension Act does not require the proposed revision.

The Attorney General’s Office, Pension Administration Office, Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Maldives Association of Construction Industry, and Maldives Association of Tourism Industry, were all involved in the discussion on how the current pension scheme would be affected, should the revision be approved.

The committee’s decision on the revision has been sent to Parliament.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Victory Day celebrations to be held this month

Victory Day celebrations are to take place this month in Male’, the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) has confirmed.

The MNDF said that celebrations will be held in Republican Square, beginning at 8:30pm on November 14.

According to the MNDF, there will be three different events to celebrate the occasion, including a music show featuring famous Maldivian artists accompanied by the MNDF brass band.

The MNDF have said that speeches will be given by senior orators and school students on the subject of Victory Day.

A video presentation on the events of 3 November 1988 will also be screened, followed by fireworks, the MNDF have said.

The celebrations will commemorate the national tragedy of 3 November, when a group of mercenaries from Sri Lanka attacked the capital killing 19 Maldivians.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Roads closed for Republic Day ceremonies

Several roads in the southeast of Male’ will be closed for the public for a special ceremony on Sunday ‘Dharubaaruge’ to mark the 44th Republic Day of the Maldives.

Some of the main roads that will be closed include fuel shed area on Boduthakurufaanu Magu, the area where Ameenee Magu and Boduthakurufaanu Magu meets, Moonlight Hingun, the end where Janavaree Magu and Buruzu Magu meets.

Police said any other road that has to be closed due to any reason will be closed, and thanked the people for their cooperation and apologised to the people for any inconvenience caused due to the closure of these roads.

Meanwhile, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has set up a huge stage at the Republican Square to perform a musical event as a celebration of Republic Day.

Former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed has also issued a statement sending greetings to all Maldivians.

The Maldives declared Republic on 11 November 1968, ending the 853 year-old monarchy. The monarchy was replaced by a republic under the presidency of President Ibrahim Nasir.

The official name of the country was then changed from ‘Maldive Islands’ to the ‘Maldives.’

On 15 March 1968 a national referendum was held on the question with 93.34 percent of those taking part voted in favor of establishing a republic.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)