A number of young Maldivians are “left out” and unable to become productive members of society because they lack skills for employment, President Mohamed Nasheed has said.
According to the President’s Office, Nasheed made the remarks in Haa Alif Hoarafushi last night while addressing participants of the government’s ‘Hunaru’ (skills) training programme in the island.
President Nasheed unveiled the Rf360 million (US$23 million) national training programme on Independence Day, July 26, with an ambitious target of leading 8,500 youth to skilled employment in a variety of fields.
The government hoped that participants of the programme in Hoarafushi would find jobs upon completion of the courses in three to six months, Nasheed said last night.
The President urged participants to attend the course without fail and expressed satisfaction with the number of female participants in the programme.
Speaking at the inauguration of the first training course under the ‘Hunaru’ programme on Saturday – conducted by the Centre for Career and Technical Education (CCTE) to train 100 youth in heavy load vehicle operations – Nasheed asserted that the main impediment to national development was limited job opportunities for young people.
Nasheed observed that there were 12,000 expatriate workers with simple skills – including 645 forklift drivers – earning between Rf9,000 (US$580) and Rf10,000 (US$640) a month while 30 percent of working age youth could not find jobs.
The ‘Hunaru’ programme would provide instruction in 57 different kind of skills, said Nasheed, while training a single participant would cost between Rf10,000 and Rf15,000 as a course fee.
In addition, each participant is to be given a monthly allowance of Rf2,000 for the duration of their courses.
“The government is covering these expenses with a lot of expectation and hope,” he said. “The Maldives could only change when the youth and people in the workforce learn a skill and start working to change the country, to develop the country.”
The Civil Court last night issued a temporary injunction ordering the Finance Ministry not to release funds to parliament for MPs’ committee allowance until the court rules on a case filed on behalf of a civil servant, contending that the allowance could not be given before deducted amounts from civil servants salaries were paid back.
A group of concerned citizens protesting the committee allowance filed the case on behalf of Maah Jabeen, Seenu Maradhoo Fenzeemaage, arguing that releasing funds for committee allowance without reimbursing civil servants violated constitutional provisions on fairness and equal treatment.
The committee allowance was approved on December 29, 2010 while wage cuts were enforced in October 2009.
In January 2010, the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) decided to reverse the pay cuts, sparking an ongoing legal dispute between the commission and the Finance Ministry.
Speaking to Minivan News after Judge Hathif Hilmy granted the injunction last night, lawyer Mohamed Shafaz explained that the case was based on article 43 of the constitution, which states that everyone has the right to fair and just administrative action, “by which we take to mean that constitutional provisions in articles 17 and 20 relating to equality and non-discrimination would be infringed of a civil servant if the Ministry of Finance chooses to release the funds for committee allowance to the People’s Majlis before the deducted amounts from the salaries of civil servants is paid to them.”
“Our argument was based on the principle of judicial review,” he continued. “For judicial review to be used in a case in the Maldives is relatively rare and this is I would say a novel case. Our idea is that anyone vested with legal powers must act within the limits of the constitution.”
Delivering the ruling on the request for a temporary injunction, the judge said that releasing the funds before the court issues a final judgment on the case “could cause irreversible damage to the plaintiff” and ordered the Finance Ministry not to take any action that could “defeat the purpose of the claim.”
While the state attorney insisted that neither the Finance Ministry nor the President’s Office has made a decision on releasing the funds, the claimants submitted video footage of President Mohamed Nasheed telling protestors that the executive could not overrule parliament’s decision without threatening separation of powers.
In April 2010, the Civil Court ruled that Finance Ministry did not have the legal authority to overrule the CSC. Although the government contested the ruling and refused to restore salaries to previous levels, the High Court upheld the lower court ruling in May this year.
The state attorney also argued that the case should not have been accepted by the Civil Court as the government has appealed the High Court verdict at the Supreme Court. The judge however ruled last night that the state could not produce documentation proving that the Supreme Court has decided to hear the appeal.
Attorney General Abdulla Muiz confirmed today that the AG office has appealed last night’s lower court decision at the High Court.
Shafaz meanwhile observed that “the ruling [yesterday] affirms that the court recognises that there is an issue here that needs to be rectified or subject to the system of justice.”
“It is also significant because by granting the temporary injunction the court has accepted and taken on an active role for implementing judicial review in the Maldives,” he said. “So this opens up the possibility for each and every action of the executive branch of the government, or the parliament or any other part of the state, to be challenged in the courts.”
Yesterday’s temporary injunction was also significant because “it was based on infringement of the rights of an individual,” Shafaz continued, adding that it was “a case where the act of a minister of the executive could infringe upon the rights of an individual.”
The favoured outcome for the group of concerned citizens would meanwhile be “for the court to recognise that giving parliamentarians their committee allowance before the deducted salary is given would be an infringement of the rights of a civil servant, or civil servants, under the constitution.”
Maldives Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Iruthisham Adam, has urged all states to support Palestine’s right to self-determination and self-government.
Speaking during a Council debate on human rights in Palestine, Adam said the Palestinian bid should be viewed in light of the US’s own declaration of independence, citing its drafter Thomas Jefferson.
“We surely cannot deny to any nation that right where on our own is founded – that every one may govern itself according to whatever form it pleases and change those forms at its own will,” Adam said.
“These words are as relevant today, as we survey Palestine’s brave push for independence and statehood at the United Nations, as they were in the 18th Century,” she told the Council.
“The Maldives and hundreds of other countries support the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. We do not do so because we are against Israel – the Maldives is and always will be a strong supporter of a two-State solution. We do so, rather, because it is right and it is just.
“If we value and enjoy our right to self-determination in the Maldives and elsewhere, if we applaud its assertion across the Islamic world, then why should we deny it to the people of Palestine? People who have been waiting for dignity, freedom and independence for 6o long years?”
Palestinian statehood would not diminish the chances of a negotiated peace, Adam argued, but would rather enhance them by resolving the unequal power relationship between the two countries.
“In our opinion,undermined the negotiation process – a relationship between the occupied and the occupier. How can a fair and lasting peace be forged under such conditions? The short answer is: it cannot. Far better then for negotiations to take place between two States sitting down together as equals,” she said.
Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan meanwhile told the UN General Assembly that “demands for human rights and democratic values are universal” and “the time for Palestine to join the international family of nations is long overdue.”
Dr Waheed said the Maldives was committed to protecting human rights, both domestically and internationally, and noted that with the Maldives signing the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court the country”joins a growing alliance of states which stand firmly against those who believe they can violate human rights with impunity.”
The UN Security Council is currently considering the proposal put forward by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Key issues include Israeli settlements, the status of Jerusalem, and securing rights of return for Palestinian refugees.
The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has decided not to hike ferry ticket prices for Hulhumale’ and ViliMale’, according to local media reports.
Male’ City Mayor ‘Maizan’ Ali Manik told press today that the decision was made following discussions between the city council, MTCC and the Transport Ministry.
Manik also revealed that the council would grant permission for MTCC to utilise plots awarded to the government company in Male’ to generate revenue and cover current operating losses.
The decision to hike ferry tickets from Rf3 to Rf5 for ViliMale’ and from Rf5 to Rf8 led to protests in both island wards of the capital. Riot police were deployed over the weekend after protestors stopped the ferries in ViliMale’.
Speaking at a press conference this week, Transport Minister Adhil Saleem insisted that the government “would not tolerate stoppages” and that such forced disruptions as part of protests were “non-negotiable.”
The Ministry of Housing issued over 400 forms yesterday for applicants to the Rf500 million (US$32 million) loan scheme for houses in Male’ with stalled construction, reports Haveeru.
State Minister Akram Kamaaludeen said that the deadline for applications has been extended from November 5 to 15 and the ministry has decided not to require applicants to submit engineering reports after considering the cost of preparing the report.
“The applicant will have to submit the engineering report once they’ve been qualified for the loan. The loan will be issued once the report is submitted,” he explained. The loans will target owners who are unable to continue construction due to financial constraints or ineligibility for loan schemes offered either by the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) or domestic banks. The maximum amount given to each individual will be Rf3 million, which should be paid within 15 years after a grace period of one year with an interest rate of 11.75 percent per year.
Police have arrested a group of men including the chairman of an anti-drug NGO for allegedly drugging and raping a 15 year old girl on the island of Guraidhoo in Kaafu Atoll.
An islander told Minivan News that the incident occurred on Sunday night when the girl allegedly accompanied the five men who were intending to use marijuana.
“They did not forcibly take her to [to the area near the cemetery] but she went with them, and there they raped her,” he said. “The next day she told her mother about the incident and she reported it to police.”
He said the police arrested the men on Monday afternoon and took the girl to the island’s health centre.
According to the islander, two of the five men detained by police were minors. They were summoned to Maafushi Court in Kaafu Atoll Maafushi, an island very close to Guraidhoo.
“Maafushi Court extended the detention of three adults to 10 days and released the two minors to house arrest,” he said. “The three have been brought to Male’ and are currently in Atholhuvehi Police Custodial.”
He added that the Chairman of the drug NGO was also a staff member at the island council office.
A police spokesperson confirmed to Minivan News that four men had been arrested in connection with the case.
“The police were informed that a group of men on the island drugged a 15 year-old girl and attempted to rape her,” he said. “Four men were arrested in connection with the case.”
The religious conservative Adhaalath Party decided last night to break off its coalition agreement with the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), after the party’s consultation council voted 32 to 2 to approve a resolution to leave the government.
Adhaalath becomes the last major party of the ‘Watan Edey’ coalition – formed to rally against former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in the second round run-off of the 2008 presidential election – to leave the MDP-led coalition.
The resolution on terminating the coalition agreement signed with the ruling party on June 30, 2009 states that the government ignored Adhaalath’s “sincere advice and suggestion” while the party was forced to stage street protests “to put a stop to serious matters related to the country’s religion and sovereignty.”
Among the 28 main points noted in the resolution included rising inflation under the current administration, refusal to reimburse deducted amounts from civil servants salaries, failure to alleviate the persisting dollar shortage, appointing unqualified “activists” to manage government corporations and insufficient measures against corruption in the government.
The Adhaalath party claimed that the government was “making secret deals with Israel in the name of the people and pursuing relations with Israel to an extent that threatens the nation’s independence and sovereignty.”
Moreover, the Adhaalath party accused the government of agreeing to “let Israel influence the country’s education curriculum.”
Among government decisions strongly contested by the party, the resolution also referred to a proposal to make Dhivehi and Islam optional subjects in higher secondary education and reclaiming a plot awarded to the Islamic College (Kulliya).
The final eight points meanwhile include the use of force against protesting parents of Arabiyya students, senior government diplomats expressing concern with Maldivian students going to Arabic or Islamic countries for studies, publishing regulations allowing sale of alcohol to non-Muslims in inhabited islands, insufficient cooperation with the Islamic Ministry’s efforts to close down brothels.
In addition, the party contended that the “essence” of the newly-published religious unity regulations was lost after it was diluted by the government, which held it up for 16 months.
Islamic Minister Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari and State Minister for Islamic Affairs Sheikh Hussein Rasheed were reportedly not present when the resolution was passed last night. Neither had responded to calls at time of press.
Party President Sheikh Imran Abdulla said “senior government officials in Adhaalath” would be informed that they could no longer represent the party in the government.
At yesterday’s press conference, party spokesperson Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said the party had no plans to enter into a formal coalition with an opposition party and aspired to become “the most independent political party in the country.”
Sheikh Imran added that the party has not decided whether to field a presidential candidate in 2013.
He explained that the party will decide to either contest the presidency on its own or join a coalition based on the political circumstances in two years.
“That decision will be made by the consultation council when the time comes,” he said. “Nonetheless, as Sheikh Shaheem just said, we will do everything we can to ensure that a government that will work for the benefit of the public and for a brighter future for the people is elected in 2013.”
Islanders of Shaviyani Atoll Foakaidhoo have “hijacked” the island council since yesterday afternoon, a council member has told Minivan News.
Abdulla Nahid, one of the four Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) council members on the island told Minivan News that a group of middle-aged women and men entered the Council Office yesterday afternoon and refused to leave the office saying that they had hijacked the Council Office.
“They came here while we were having a council meeting regarding the issue of handing the power house of the island to the utilities company,’’ Nahid said. ‘’This is the real issue, there was a dispute between the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters and DRP supporters on the island about handing over the power house.”
He said that while the DRP supporters opposed the utilities company, MDP supporters demanded the council hand over the power house.
‘’We called for a vote to see what the majority of the islanders want, but MDP supporters boycotted the vote and more than 90 percent opposed the idea of having the utilities company run the power house,’’ Nahid explained. “The MDP supporters sent us letter and petitions so we went for a second vote, but DRP supporters boycotted that vote and more than 90 percent of the islanders present that time voted in favor of handing over the power house.”
He said yesterday the council was about to discuss the matter during the meeting but MDP supporters arrived and told the councilors that they would not leave the office unless the council gave them a final answer.
“We told them that we have to hold a council meeting to make a decision according to the law, but they did not allow us to have a meeting and are sitting inside the council office now as well, they were there all night,’’ he said.
Nahid said that they were not obstructing the work of the council members or being violent, but just sitting down inside the council office saying that they had hijacked the office.
“They threw paper rockets at us, and sometimes make noises using a loudspeaker, but most of the time they remain quiet,’’ he said. ‘’Because they did not leave the office last night, two council members stayed up in the office and this morning did not come for work, so today we were not able to hold a meeting and the matter is being delayed.’’
He said he personally supported the MDP supporters’ idea, and had told other council members to support the idea and put the politics aside.
‘’But according to the law, I need one more council member to support my idea before we can go for a vote – if the vote is equal the Chair of the council can vote but there has been no other member to support this,’’ he said.
Nahid added that the council members did not want to use the police to move the protesters out of the council office.
A Maldivian student reported missing in Malaysia has been found the Maldives High Commission serving a 10-month prison sentence for drug abuse, Haveeru reports.
The student allegedly dropped out of university soon after enrolling, before being arrested and sentence to jail. He is due to be released in December 2011.
The High Commission told Haveeru that the student was the only Maldivian serving a sentence in a Malaysian jail.
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