Category: News in Brief

Maldives marks World No Tobacco Day

The Health Ministry has revealed that 44 percent of the Maldivian population use tobacco – an increase from 24 percent in 2004 and the highest percentage in the region.

According to figures published by the Ministry to mark International No Tobacco day, tobacco is responsible for 27 percent of all deaths in the country.

Approximately around 347 million cigarettes are imported into the country annually, the equivalent of 53 tonnes.

Statistics show that overall tobacco use prevalence is high compared to international standards with 57 percent of men and 29 percent of women having used some form of tobacco, with the number of female smokers on the rise.

Based on the import figures, the average Maldivian smoker consumes 2312 cigarettes a year – approximately six a day.

Unlike many countries which already impose strict supply controls and high prices on tobacco products, the Maldives has long enjoyed cheap rates with a pack easily available from shops between Rf18-25 (US$1.16-1.62), subject to brand, while a single cigarette costs one rufiya.

Following rise in import duty in the Maldives, the cheapest brand is available at almost Rf35 (US$2.27) and a single cigarette costs almost two or three rufiya.

By comparison, a pack of cheap cigarettes costs the equivalent of Rf66 in the USA, Rf112 in the UK and Rf158 in Australia.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

PIC forwards police brutality case to Prosecutor General

The Police Integrity Commission (PIC) has forwarded a case involving the assault by a police officer against an Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) protester on February 8 to the Prosecutor General’s office, reports Haveeru.

The PIC has alleged that Staff Sergeant Ali Ahmed assaulted Mohamed Niyaz of Fares-Mathoda in Gaaf Dhaal Atoll on February 8 is a display of excessive force. Video footage revealed Ahmed kicking the victim while he was on the ground, reported Haveeru.

Criminal charges had been filed against Ahmed following statements and other evidence, Haveeru reported.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Nasheed to attend final session of all-party talks at Bandos

Former President Mohamed Nasheed will represent the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) at the final session of the all-party roadmap talks being held at Bandos Island Resort this weekend, says Haveeru.

The three day talks, scheduled to start today, represent a break-through in the dialogue between the MDP and the government coalition parties. The group will discuss a newly defined agenda comprising six issues which will include, in order of precedence, how to resolve public disturbances, the budget situation, reform of independent institutions, new laws, constitutional amendments and, finally, early presidential elections.

The talks began in February but have faltered, with disagreements over the talk’s aims, methods, and make-up, all hampering genuine progress over the past months.

Convener of the roadmap talks Ahmed Mujuthaba, initiated with the assistance of Indian diplomats, has been assisted by United Nations mediation expert Pierre Yves Monett.

Former Minister for Tourism Mariyam Zulfa, who served under Nasheed’s presidency and who has represented the party at recent all-party talks, told Minivan News this week that the MDP hoped all leaders could assemble on the final day of the talks to sign a draft agreement.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Islam and Democracy: Dr Hassan Saeed

“The myth that Islam and democracy are incompatible should be discarded for good. Now we should talk less about the ‘transition to democracy’ and start talking more about the daily trials and tribulations of democracy. The international community should avoid the mistakes they committed in the Maldives,” writes the President’s Special Advisor and head of the Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) Dr Hassan Saeed.

The article is the latest in a series of pieces Dr Hassan has written for local newspaper Haveeru.

“If we take just five countries Egypt (population 81 million), Indonesia (239 million) Pakistan (174 million), Bangladesh (148 million), Turkey (73 million), we see nearly three-quarters of a billion people on the Earth living in countries that would call themselves democracies and the vast majority of whose population celebrate the Muslim faith. The Maldives along with an increasing number of other smaller countries are also now in this position too.

As a result, the myth that Islam and democracy are incompatible should be discarded for good. Now we should talk less about the ‘transition to democracy’ and start talking more about the daily trials and tribulations of democracy. In other words we should see our Islamic faith and our democracy as a mainstream part of our lives. In doing this we demonstrate to the whole world that the extremists and terrorists who claim to act on their faith, without any popular mandate from the population they claim to represent, to be a tiny minority mainly hiding out in small failed states.

Stalwarts of democracies around the world have an obligation to ensure that the emerging Muslim democracies succeed. They should use every possible means to build and strengthen institutions, invest heavily in voter education and development of civil society. These are key to any successful transformation to a democracy. Only then the East and West can start speaking a common language – ie. the language of democracy.”

Read more

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Former president returns from meeting of International Democrat Union in New Zealand

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has arrived back in the Maldives after attending a meeting of the International Democrat Union (IDU) in Wellington, New Zealand.

According to a statement from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), during the meeting Nasheed explained the political situation in the Maldives and how the deadlock could be resolved. Nasheed also had meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Murray McCully.

Commonwealth Special Envoy to the Maldives, Don McKinnon, also addressed the meeting, along with New Zealand’s Chair of Parliamentary Foreign Affairs, and Peter Goodfellow, President of New Zealand’s National Party.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Maldives to intensify Asian and Middle East tourism promotion: TTG Asia

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) is set to step up marketing efforts across Asia and the Middle East to try and capitalise on recent arrival numbers from similar emerging markets.

Travel news publication TTG Asia has reported that tourism authorities are pushing ahead with road-show events in Singapore and South Korea next month, after a similar strategy was held last month in a number of Chinese cities.

The report added that familiarisation tours for journalists based in a number of middle eastern markets like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Lebanon were also being conducted.

TTG Asia claimed that the strategy was designed to capitalise on improving visitor numbers to the Maldives during April from markets like China amidst declining custom from countries like Italy.

Likes(1)Dislikes(0)

Transparency Maldives and UNDP launch new project on Right to Information

Transparency Maldives and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a new project on Right to Information in the Maldives.

“The right to information is most vital in preventing corruption,” Executive Director of Transparency Maldives, Ilham Mohamed said in a press statement.

Transparency Maldives stated that the two-year project “Promoting Transparency and Accountability through Access to Information in the Maldives”, will be funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) and aims to promote accountability within state institutions, through “strengthening the national access to information”.

“Right to information is central to strengthening open and transparent decision making processes, as well as in promoting good governance and the rule of law. It is not only essential in an open and democratic society but is critical in the fight against poverty and in accelerating human development,” said UNDP Resident Representative, Andrew Cox.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Police forward nine names to PG regarding VTV attack

The police have forwarded nine names to the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office in relation to the attack on Villa Television (VTV) on March 19, reports Haveeru.

Police Inspector Abdulla Shatheeh is also reported that the police are searching for five more individuals in relation to the incident. In order to trace the whereabouts of the suspects the police have made public the photos of those under suspicion. They have also appealed to the public for any information regarding this incident.

Shaheeth told Haveeru that the nine names forwarded to the PG are:  Hussain Hameed – 26,  Ahmed Hameed – 29, Mohamed Hameed  – 50, Ahmed Naeem – 27, Ghaanim Haasan – 19, Hussain Shifau Jameel – 19, Ismail Hammad – 19, Ahmed Muheen – 22, and a 17 year old who could not be named for legal reasons.

The attack on VTV occurred during protests against the re-opening of the people’s Majlis on March 19. The building, as well as the soldiers guarding its entrance on Sosun Magu, came under attack as police tear gas forced the protesters south, past the building from the police barricades nearer to the Majlis building.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Potential for power cuts across Male’ today as STELCO test new generator

The State Electricity Company (STELCO) has announced that there may be power cuts in Male’ between 3:00PM and 5:00 PM today as it tests one of its two new generators, reports Haveeru.

“We have notified customers that there would be a possibility of power failure as the performance of the new generators is being tested today. We have estimated that the process would take approximately two hours,” a STELCO official told Haveeru.

The official added that the second generator will undergo similar testing soon, with both devices scheduled to be up and running by June 5.

It is anticipated that the installation of these two generators, said to cost Rf547 million (US$36million), will end the regular power cuts experienced in the capital Male’. The frequency of these cuts has obliged the company to provide an update service on its website, informing its customers when and where their districts will be without power.

The current grid is capable of providing 36MW, whilst the city requires 39MW. The two new generators will provide an additional 8MW each.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)