Tag: maldives

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.

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JP backs hiding of votes during no-confidence motion against President and Home Minister

Jumhoree Party (JP) MP Alhan Fahmy has said that the party supports the motion submitted to the parliament committee by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) proposing that votes during the upcoming no-confidence vote filed at the parliament against President and Home Minister be hidden.

Speaking to local press in the Villa TV conference hall, Alhan Fahmy said that his party’s parliamentary group was following instructions from the party’s leader and MP, Gasim Ibrahim.

Alhan said it would be difficult to cooperate with the government unless it gave a fair reason as to why Transport Minister Dr Ahmed Shahmheed was this week dismissed from his position, after he awarded a 99 year lease to Gasim’s Maamagili airport.

Alleging that Dr Shahmheed was dismissed because he did not support every decision made by the President, Alhan questioned why President Waheed had failed to take action against the Nexbis project, and alleged corruption in the recent sale of a 30 percent stake of the Addu International Airport Company Pvt Ltd (AIA) to business magnate ‘Champa’ Hussain Afeef’s Kasa Holdings.

He also alleged that President Waheed was not fair in taking action against those accused of corruption, and noted that Thilafushi Corporation’s Managing Director Mohamed Latheef was dismissed from the position on allegations of corruption but later appointed to another position.

Alhan likewise noted that Felivaru Chairman Mohamed Imthiyaz – a member of the JP – was dismissed on allegations of corruption but said Waheed did not appoint him to another position.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Murder suspect blames earlier confession on police brutality, denies charges

Mohamed Samah, who is accused of murdering a police officer on the island of Kaashidhoo in July, has claimed during the second court hearing in the case that the confession he made during the previous hearing was a result of police torture while in custody.

The presiding judge asked if Samah could prove the allegation to the court, but Samah said he could not.

The judge then inquired as to whether he was kept in a separate cell and if he had met with other inmates. Samah replied that at at first he was kept in a separate cell and now he was with other inmates.

However, the judge said that during the trial one could not change what he had said earlier, and reminded Samah that today’s hearing was to hear his response to the statements of the heirs of the deceased.

During the hearing, Samah told the judge that executing him under Islamic Sharia would better for him that the torture he had to faced in prison.

The judge revealed that four of the three heirs of Lance Corporal Adam Haleem wanted to have Samah executed if the court found him guilty of the crime.

The fourth heir of Haleem was a minor, and the judge said he will determine the view of scholars of the four sects of Islam make a decision on how to deal with this particular case concerning taking the statement from the minor.

Before concluding today’s hearing the judge said that a verdict would be delivered next week.

On July 23 Lance Corporal Adam Haleem was stabbed to death on Kaashidhoo island in Kaafu Atoll.

Haleem was attacked while he was on his way to Kaashidhoo police station to report to duty.

While he was on the way to the police station police alleged he saw Mohamed Samah on the road, who was supposed to be under house arrest. Haleem followed Samah to his house and asked him to get himself ready to come with him to the police station.

Samah refused to go to the police station and became angry, police alleged, claiming that he entered his house and took an eight inch knife from the kitchen, which he used to stab Haleem in the left side of the chest.

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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.

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Religious NGO Salaf to hold children’s evening

Religious NGO Jamiyythul Salaf has announced the organisation is planning a special event next Thursday for children, hosted by former singer Ali Rameez and Ahmed Simau.

The NGO said that the event will be named ‘Banoon’ and will be held at the Artificial Beach from 4:00pm to 5:30pm.

The event includes religious poems, advice from Sheikhs, dramas and stories. In addition, during the event children will be given gifts and the opportunity to show their talents on stage.

Salaf has appealed to all parents to participate.

On the same night, Salaf said there will be Q&A program for adults based on the topic ‘Faith and Salah’.

The program will start at 9:00pm and will end at 11:00pm. Five Sheikhs will be on the panel to answer the questions by attendees.

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Taxi drivers to strike over decision to fine illegally parked vehicles

Taxi drivers across Male are set to go on strike on Monday in protest of the Transport Ministry’s decision to issue stickers on illegally parked vehicles.

Abdulla Ibrahim, who is leading the protest, highlighted the lack of parking spaces in the capital, alleging the government is going ahead with the idea without a proper plan.

According to Mr Ibrahim, taxi centres will not accept the Transport Ministry’s decision to issue stickers under the current circumstances.

Speaking to Haveeru Online, he said: “There is no room to park cars. If we park the car for breakfast, there will be a sticker. There will be a sticker for afternoon and evening, we will have to spend a lot of money.

“We will gather at Raalhugandu Area and from there we will go to the Transport Ministry with posters and banners.”

9292 Taxi Centre has said that four pickup centres and nine taxi centres will participate in the protest.

According to the Transport Authority, stickers issued on illegally parked cars will carry a fine of MVR 250 (US$16) for the first, MVR 500 (US$32) for the second and MVR 750 (US$48) for each following sticker.

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