Tag: maldives news

PPM moves into former DRP head office

The Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) have moved into the former head office of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) at the Henveiru Themaa house on Boduthakurufaanu Magu, in front of the stage at the artificial beach in Male’.

PPM Interim Deputy Leader and MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla told newspaper Haveeru that the official opening of the office would take place today (Thursday).

A press conference was held by PPM at its new office yesterday.

While the blue of DRP has been painted over in recent weeks by the magenta of PPM, the party’s logo was also put up outside the building.

The PPM was formed in October 2011 following a year-long split within the DRP and a public spat between former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and DRP Leader and MP Ahmed Thasmeen Ali.

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New deputy prosecutor general appointed

Prosecutor General (PG) Ahmed Muizz has appointed Deebanaz Fahmy as his new deputy following the resignation of former Deputy Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem.

Newspaper Haveeru reported yesterday that Deebanaz, formerly an attorney at the PG office, is the daughter of Assistant Prosecutor General Ahmed Hameed Fahmy.

An official from the PG office told the newspaper that Deebanaz has been working in prosecution for nine years.

Former Deputy PG Hussain Shameem confirmed to Minivan News earlier this month that he had left his post as Deputy Prosecutor General in order to pursue further education in the United Kingdom.

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Man sentenced to two year’s banishment for stealing RAM from mother’s computer

The Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced a man to two years banishment for stealing two pieces of RAM from his mother’s computer.

According to the Criminal Court, Ahmed Arushad, of Male’ municipality special register 5269, confessed to stealing the memory chips from his mother Waleedha Abdulla’s computer at Henveiru Madhoshimaage on January 7, 2012.

The court noted that this was Arushad’s second conviction and banished him under article 131(a) of the penal code.

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Parliament rejects resolution on MVR 300 million BML loan

Parliament yesterday rejected 27-17 a resolution submitted by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Ahmed Sameer calling for an inquiry into the government borrowing MVR 300 million (US$19.5 million) from the Bank of Maldives.

The loan was obtained without parliamentary approval as required by the Public Finance Act.

The government had previously told local media the the BML loan was borrowed instead of US$65 million loan programme previously approved by the Majlis for budget support, and contended that further approval from parliament was therefore not required.

However, Counsellor General Fathmath Filza told the Finance Committee that the US$65 million loan was only to be borrowed from foreign lenders and that the government has to seek parliamentary approval before borrowing from a local bank as per the Public Finance Act.

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Bank of Maldives net profit for 2012 rises to MVR 200 million

The net profit of the Bank of Maldives Plc Ltd (BML) for 2012 has reached over MVR 200 million (US$13 million) by the end of the third quarter.

In a press release yesterday, BML revealed that the net profit in the third quarter of 2012 was was MVR 161 million, MVR 121 million up from previous quarter.

“By end of Q3 operating profit reached MVR 402.7M, an increase of 30% over the same period last year. Net Interest Income increased from 333.6M in Sep 2011 to 372.8M in the 9 months to Sep 2012. This is a 12 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

“Deposits grew over MVR 306 million from the same period last year, a reflection of continued strong deposit growth. Deposit as of the end of the quarter was MVR 7.6 billion compared to MVR 7.3 billion a year ago,” the press release noted.

“Our solid financial performance and extremely strong liquidity position ensure that the bank continues to be well positioned,” said Peter Horton, MD & CEO of Bank of Maldives. “The strong growth on our net profit is a testament to the efforts of our entire team and our ability to adapt to ever-changing market conditions.”

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President Waheed pledges sewerage system, new health centre for Hoarafushi

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has pledged to the people of Hoarafushi in Haa Alif Atoll today that funds would be included in next year’s budget for a sewerage system and new health centre for the island.

Newspaper Haveeru reported today that Waheed gave the assurances to the people of Hoarafushi during a visit to observe damage caused by severe flooding.

The President was accompanied on the trip by independent MP for Dhaalu Meedhoo, Ahmed ‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam.

Shiyam also accompanied Waheed during a recently concluded tour of Dhaalu Atoll, during which the former vice president pledged a number of infrastructure projects for several islands in the atoll.

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PPM congress postponed for third time

The government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has postponed its national congress for a third time, scheduling the party’s first congress for January 2013.

Local daily Haveeru reported today 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.

PPM Interim Secretary General Yumna Maumoon – daughter of the party’s figurehead and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom – explained that the decision was made by the interim council after the party failed to secure an appropriate venue to host the congress.
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CCHDC warns of potential epidemic

The Centre for Community Health and Disease Control (CCHDC) has warned of a potential outbreak of diseases caused by heavy rainfall across the country.

In a press statement today, the CCHDC said the present climate and heavy rainfall posed risks of diseases such as diarrhoea spreading in the islands.

Meanwhile, newspaper Haveeru reported today that two junctions burst open in Haa Dhaal Hanimadhoo, spreading waste and feces into the island. Heavy rainfall that began at 5:00pm yesterday reportedly lasted nonstop till 4:00am, inundating 85 percent of the island with three feet of water.

Hanimaadhoo Council Chair Abdul Salam said 12 homes were flooded and household items were damaged by the rain.

Joint efforts were still underway from last night by police, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and islanders to pump water, he said.

MP for Haa Alif Kelaa, Dr Abdulla Mausoom, meanwhile tweeted today that flooding has also been reported from Kelaa, Filladhoo, Ihavandhoo and Baarah.

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik visited Hoarafushi in Haa Alif today, which suffered the heaviest damage due to flooding.

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Heavy rain damages agriculture fields in three atolls

Agriculture fields in Haa Alif Baarah, Gaaf Alif Nilandhoo and all islands of Laamu Atoll have been damaged in the heavy rainfall experienced across the country.

Local daily Haveeru reported today that 90 percent of farmland in Laamu Atoll was “destroyed” by the rain.

Laamu Atoll Council Chair Mohamed Rasheed told the newspaper that 80 percent of farmers in the atoll would cease to have a source of income. Farmers in the southern atoll earn a monthly average income of between MVR20,000 to MVR30,000, Rasheed said.

He added that the rain also damaged some homes, including 29 households in Fonadhoo.

Of the 11 inhabited islands in Laamu atoll, only three reported no damages, Rasheed said.

Moreover, as a result of damage to a sewerage pump in the island of Gan, waste was spreading into the island from two junctions.

The rains that started on Monday evening lasted non-stop until Tuesday night, he said.

Meanwhile, Nilandhoo Councillor Asif Mohamed told Sun Online that 280 fields in the island have been completely destroyed.

Heavy rains meanwhile flooded agriculture fields in Haa Alif Baarah.

Baarah Councillor Hussain Fahmy told Haveeru that floodwaters have not receded from the farmlands as of this afternoon. Heavy rains continued to fall last night, he said.

Damage to wooden stoves was also causing difficulties for islanders, the councilor added.

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