Category: News in Brief

Police Integrity Commission issues statement over protest violence

The Police Integrity Commission has issued a statement regarding the ongoing protests lead by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) acknowledging the patience shown by the police forces in dealing with the protesters.

The commission, mandated to serve as the country’s official police watchdog over the police forces also condemned what it saw as attempts by the protesters to break through police lines and attack security forces.

“We condemn the attacks on the police line in the protests near the parliament and call immediately to cease all such acts. And also, we acknowledge the patience and professionalism of the Maldives police force in controlling the protests,” the statement read.

PIC President Shahindha Ismail stressed the commission was not condemning a particular party in the attacks on police.

The commission also advised the police to maintain their actions within the boundaries of the law and to use necessary force in controlling the protests.

‘We also advice the police to execute their duties in accordance with the law and not to use excessive force in dealing with the protests.’

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Public Private Partnership schemes halted

The Economic Ministry has today announced it will halt any new projects to be carried out under the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) scheme.

An official representing the ministry told Haveeru that all projects for which agreements have been signed would continue, while those still in the bidding process have been put on hold.

The PPP scheme, initiated under former President Mohamed Nasheed was intended to remove financial strain on the budget whilst bringing in managerial expertise from the private sector.

The Ministry of Economic Development handles all such investment in the Maldives, while private involvement in the tourism industry falls under the remit of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

The specific reasons for the cessation of these programmes has not been made clear. Last week, Attorney General Azima Shukoor cast doubt on the legality of island privatisations under the previous president, announcing her intention to investigate these transfers.

During the same interview with DhiTV, Shukoor is reported as having said that the  appropriate legal processes had not been followed during the privatisation of state property.

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UK media reacts to Tourism Ministry charm offensive

UK media have been covering attempts by Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor to restore confidence in the country’s tourism sector following recent negative headlines regarding political uncertainty in the nation.

Gafoor met with reporters in London last week to push the the message that the Maldives remains a safe destination for tourists – a fact echoed by the UK Foreign Office removing a travel warning against all but essential travel to the capital of Male’.

Reporting for The Daily Telegraph newspaper, journalist Oliver Smith said Gafoor addressed sections of the UK media claiming that the current government of President Mohamed Waheed Hassan took allegations of police brutality against protesters opposed to his leadership “very seriously”.

“While it is generally accepted that holidaymakers are unlikely to be caught up in any unrest, as most resorts are found on isolated, otherwise uninhabited islands, the moral implications of visiting the Maldives have been called into question following the downfall of Mr Nasheed,” Smith wrote for the paper.

“Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have accused the new government of ordering police to violently suppress demonstrations.”

With a small band of protesters handing leaflets to reporters outside claiming that President Mohamed Waheed Hassan was working to undermine the country’s young democracy, the Telegraph reported that Gafoor saw this as a clear indication that human rights were being respected in the country.

“The fact that there are leaflets being handed to you outside shows how open we are,” he was reported as saying.

Beyond addressing the country’s political upheaval, the newly appointed tourism minister said that he hoped to continue to try to open up the country to emerging markets like China, whilst also pursuing more sustainable and community-based tourism projects.

“He [Gafoor] also sought to reassure visitors that the islands’ spas – briefly threatened with closure under President Nasheed, following pressure from Islamist groups – would remain open, and said that no moves to restrict the sale of alcohol in holiday resorts would be considered,” the newspaper added.

The minister also hit out at a travel advisory issued by the UK-based NGO Friends of Maldives.  According to the NGO, while the advisory aims to encourage travellers to continue holidaying in the Maldives, it does ask travellers to reconsider staying at a small number of resort properties that it alleges are directly involved in the controversial transfer of power to President Waheed last month.

“Mr Gafoor said he would not recognise the Friends of Maldives campaign and was bullish about the impact that recent negative publicity would have on visitor numbers. He said that a record one million holidaymakers were expected to visit the Maldives this year, including around 100,000 Britons,” the report added.

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Youth Alliance march for unity

Yesterday around 250 members of the Youth Alliance marched down Male’s Majeedee Magu hoping, somewhat ambitiously, to promote a non-partisan message of peace and unity. Dressed all in white, the group made it’s way down Male’s busiest street accompanied by white balloons, drums, and smiles.

The group included supporters from both the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP), and the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM).

The start of the march was held up after some supporters of the MDP allegedly attempted to block the Alliance’s path, resulting in a slight delay near the intersection with Chandhanee Magu, shortly after the group had departed from the Social Centre on its way to the Carnival grounds.

At this stage, some marchers decided to abandon the protest, fearing that the event might become a politicised one. Although the group had requested that the event remain politically neutral, some ‘where’s my vote?’ placards could be spotted.

It is also alleged that some PPM supporters attempted to organise a separate gathering to draw support away from the Youth Alliance march.

Disgruntled motorists sounded their horns behind the group as it edged its way along the route. Amidst the crescendo of beeps, one motorbike, riding just behind the group in white, escorted another potential saboteur who chanted “Baaghee Waheed” over a loudspeaker.

One of the group’s organisers, Aishath Hana, was keen to stress that the group did not receive any funding from politicians for their efforts, despite rumours to the contrary.

“We organised this walk for our nation and we even spent our own money to organise this event” said Hana.

Those tailing the group, loudspeaker and all, turned south Boduthakurufaanu Magu while the Youth Alliance turned north towards the Carnival grounds.

Upon reaching their destination, the group gathered in formation to make a peace symbol before singing and dancing to the bodu beru. Hana was happy with the day despite the interruptions, “It was a success…We want to thank everyone who joined in our walk.”

“We had to overcome many obstacles but we made it.”

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Civil Court cancels hearings of Rf 16 million case filed by MIRA against Yacht tours Maldives

The Civil Court has today cancelled the hearings of a case filed by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) against Yacht Tours Maldives Pvt. ltd, a company owned by Jumhoory Party (JP) deputy leader Abdullah Jabir, to retrieve a sum of money worth Rf 16 million.
The case was scheduled to be held 10:00AM this morning but had to be cancelled as the defendants, Yacht Tours Maldives, failed to report to the court hearings today.

MIRA is filing to claim a total sum of Rf 16,225,463 (US 1,052,235) from 2 resorts. That is a sum of Rf 13,331,237 (US 864,542) as land rent and fine from Alidhoo Island resort and a sum of Rf 2,894,226 (US 1,052,235) as land rent and fine from Kudarah Island resort.

The case comes at a time where the owner of Yacht Tours Maldives -business tycoon Abdulla Jabir – has announced his candidacy to compete in the upcoming by-elections for the Kaashidhoo seat.

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Foreigner receives minor injuries after Male’ stabbing – police confirm

Police have confirmed that a foreigner received minor injuries after being stabbed yesterday afternoon following an attempt to cross an area where a protest was taking place in Male’.

The Maldives Police Service confirmed that it was investigating an attack on a foreign national that took place between 4:30PM and 5:00PM yesterday whilst a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) protest was taking place in the capital – though it declined to speculate on any possible motive for the attack.

Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam told Minivan News that the foreigner, whose exact nationality could not be confirmed, had now been released from ADK Hospital in Male’ after receiving treatment for a minor head injury resulting from being stabbed by an assailant.

A suspect who tried to flee the scene was taken into custody, though the police spokesperson said that no motive for the attack has been established at present.

“We do not at present know of the motive for the attack, there were a lot of people at the gathering,” Shiyam added.

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Counter-protests take place near MDP camp

A small counter-protest against the ongoing demonstrations taking place around Heinveiru Park in Male’ took place yesterday night in the same area.

The group behind the gathering claims to have filed several official complaints about the noise created by demonstrations and have called for the dissolution of Male’ City Council. The counter-protest numbered between 70-100 people, who claim that the continued activity in the area disturbs local residents.

Haveeru has reported an MDP supporter sympathising with this sentiment: “Where’s our human rights, the protest needs to be stopped now, things have gone too far.”

The anti-protest group promised to return on Saturday night in greater numbers.

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Youth Alliance plans march for solidarity: “no politics” plead organisers

The Maldives’ Youth Alliance has asked all Maldivians to take a break from politics for two hours when it holds its first rally on Saturday.

This new group is asking participants in Saturday’s walk from the social centre to the carnival in Male’ to wear white to symbolise peace. The march will also include traditional features such as Bodu-beru.

It has been requested that the event is not politicised in any way – the event’s organisers would rather politics was not discussed at all, they claimed.

The Youth Alliance has stressed its non-aligned status, strongly rejecting any attempts to affiliate it with any political party.

“We hope that from 4-6pm on Saturday, people can think of other important things,” said a Youth Alliance representative.

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Anti-Corruption Commission releases annual report: state owed RF 91 million

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has revealed that the state is owed Rf91million based on the cases it has forwarded to the office of the Prosecutor General (PG).

In its yearly report the ACC revealed that only one of twenty-six cases sent to the PG’s office last year had been settled in court.

The ACC President Hassan Luthufy said that most cases received by the commission had been ‘petty corruption’ cases and would be put aside in order to focus on more serious allegations of graft such as that of government institutions, the People’s Majlis in particular.

“For the year 2012 we’re gearing more towards investigating serious corruption cases rather than such petty cases. I think it would give out an effective message to those who are inclined to commit serious acts of corruption,” Luthufy said.

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