President of Male Municipality, Adam ‘Sarangu’ Manik, has resigned from his post ahead of the local council elections on Saturday, reports Haveeru.
Manik is competing for Male City Council in the election, and said he had resigned to focus on his campaign.
Haveeru noted that Manik had also faced criticism for campaigning whilst incumbent in the position.
(0)Dislikes
(0)Judicial Services Commission (JSC) member Aishath Velezinee has expressed concern that the JSC failed to meet with the European Commission Identification Mission today, despite a request to do so from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a letter to Acting Secretary General of the JSC Moomina Umar, Velezinee said she wished to note “my critical concern that the Judicial Service Commission is refusing to meet with European Commission Identification team, as they have earlier refused to respond to requests from the US Embassy and Commonwealth teams, in order to hide trickery and treason practiced by JSC and their crimes against the State refusing to uphold the Constitutional mandate of the JSC.”
“As you are fully aware, JSC has been a closed body and remains one, and no one not even members are quite aware of what goes on in the Commission,” Velezinee said in the letter, adding that she had received no response from the JSC despite her efforts to ensure the meeting took place.
Chair of the JSC, Supreme Court Justice Adam Mohamed, declined to comment on Velezinee’s allegations. Vice Chair of the JSC, Dr Afrasheem Ali, referred Minivan News to the JSC itself. Moomina Umar was not responding at time of press.
Minivan News is currently seeking comment from the European Commission Identification Mission.
Velezinee is an outspoken whistleblower against the judicial watchdog, and has claimed that in her position of privilege within the JSC she has witnessed “it committing acts that stand to bring down the Constitutional Democracy that we as a people agreed to with the ratification of the Constitution on 7 August 2008.”
The JSC has meanwhile accused Velezinee of spreading misinformation to the international community, and set up a special committee comprising Vice Chair Afraasheem Ali, Member Abdullahi Didi, and Deputy Legal Representative Abdul Faththah to discuss how best to apply the new secrecy regulations against her.
It is the first time in the history of the new democratic government that a member of an independent Commission, set up by the 2008 Constitution, is being subjected to an internal investigation.
(0)Dislikes(0)The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has expressed concern that actions “against the spirit of democracy” are occurring during the Local Council Election campaigns.
The Commission said it had noted that “irresponsibility and disrespect” had caused assaults and vandalism, which were affecting society.
”A peaceful environment, equal opportunity for all candidates to campaign, freedom of expression, freedom of gathering, freedom to travel and a just judicial system is required for an independent and fair election,” HRCM said.
The Commission called on all the citizens and candidates to follow the Local Council Act and the Constitution to conduct an election that is fair, free from fear and influence.
In an democratic environment, obstructing candidates from campaigning and exchanging personal words of confrontation should not be seen, said HRCM.
The HRCM also called on the media to provide “equal opportunity” to all the candidates.
Recently group of people attacked a delegation from the opposition Dhivehi Rahyyithunge Party (DRP) on Kaadedhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
In the unrest, people from both sides was injured including former Deputy Leader of DRP Umar Naseer.
In another incident, a home-made bomb was set off inside MDP campaign office in Thulusdhoo of Kaafu Atoll, according to the MDP website’s
Although nobody was injured, the bomb was made of metal nails that could have potentially injured any person near it when it went off, the MDP claimed.
(0)Dislikes(0)The Supreme Court claimed it has a policy of conducting trials transparency and openly to the media, after a a Haveeru journalist was ordered not cover a court trial.
The trial, which was presented to the Supreme Court by the Elections Commission, was being conducted to void the candidacy of Ibrahim Haleem, a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate running for Raa Atoll Innamaidhoo council in the upcoming Local Council Elections.
”Although the Supreme Court decided not to conduct the hearing of the case publicly, the policy of this court is to conduct trials transparently and publicly, and to allow the media to provide coverage according to the spirit of the constitution,” said Supreme Court a statement.
However the Supreme Court said the court will “always consider the honor and sanctity of the accused.”
”If the accused states that the court [trial] will affect his honor and sanctity, the court will consider the result of publishing such hearings after considering the nature of the case,” the court said.
The local media today reported that the Supreme Court has ruled that the candidacy of Ibrahim Haleem was voided.
Meanwhile, the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has issued a press statement claiming the trial was not the type of trial that should be conducted confidentially.
”We are very concerned that the Supreme Court has ordered a journalist not to report the hearing of the case concerning the candidacy of Ibrahim Haleem,” said the MJA.
The MJA said the Supreme Court’s order had narrowed the right to express opinion and right to media as guaranteed by the constitution.
(0)Dislikes(0)Members of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyihtunge Party (DRP) last night commenced the first in what they claimed was series of planned protests for the freedom of state media, in particular the Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation (MNBC), which they accuses of being subject to government influence.
The protest was organised by the party’s Youth Wing, led by DRP MP Ahmed Mahlouf. Former Deputy Leader of the DRP prior to his dismissal, Umar Naseer, was also heading the protest.
The opposition activists first gathered near the artificial beach before moving outside the MNBC studios in Galolhu ward.
Although the protest was supposed to be a peaceful gathering, confrontations erupted between opposition activists and a group of people who appeared from the nearby Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) head office.
”The ‘vigilant group’ from MDP came out of their head office while we were raising our voice in front of MNBC, and attempted to create violence,” said DRP MP Ahmed Nihan. ”Their faces are very familiar to us, we know them very well, they have been jailed several times and they have a number of criminal records.”
The confrontation was controlled by the police at its initial stage, and nobody was injured according to Nihan.
”At 11:20pm, we concluded the protests, but this is not the end, we will continue protesting,” he said. ”We know the government will be waiting for an opportunity to arrest us so that it will weaken our local council campaign, so bearing that in our mind we will continue the protests.”
He also alleged that MNBC did not cover the opposition protests because they were busy interviewing a government minister when the protest was going on outside.
”Later at the news they spoke about the protests and criticised us – they don’t even have time to broadcast the voice of citizens anymore,” he added.
Nihan further claimed that there were “some leaders” in the DRP ”who are very afraid to raise the voice of the people – all they do is sit at home and watch us protest while taking the credit for our work.”
MDP spokesperson Ibrahim Haleem denied that the group of people who attacked DRP activists were MDP members.
”MDP is too educated and civilized a party to do such things, they were not MDP supporters,” Haleem claimed. ”Maybe they thought they were MDP supporters because our head office is located near MNBC.”
He said that there were many citizens who were “very concerned” that former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had returned to politics, and also very concerned that former DRP Deputy Leader Umar Naseer “is still leading DRP protests despite being expelled from the party.”
Media tug-of-war
A political tug-of-war over Television Maldives (TVM) and Voice of Maldives (VOM) erupted in July 2010, after the executive signaled reluctance to hand control of state media to new body created by the opposition-majority parliament.
The state media outlets are operated by the Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation (MNBC), a 100 percent government owned company established by executive decree.
However in April parliament approved a law to establish a company called the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to operate the state media, with nine board members appointed by and answerable to parliament.
Serving Chairman of MNBC Mohamed “Madulu” Waheed and Managing Director Ibrahim Khaleel had proposed their names to the new MBC board, but were dropped from the shortlist by parliament.
“MNBC is a company established under a resolution by the president and all its assets and land also belong to the company under a contract,” observed the President’s Political Advisor – now Home Minister – Hassan Afeef in July.
(0)Dislikes(0)The Islamic Foundation of the Maldives (IFM) will host a two-day Islamic workshop (Nadwa Islamiyya) on Tawheed and Shirk conducted by Islamic scholars including Sheikh Aboobakr Ibrahim (Hinnavar), Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed Ahmed, Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim (Naifaru) and Sheikh Mohamed Moosa (Naifaru).
A statement from the IFM noted that the session would examine the division of Tawheed into its components, which are Unity of Lordship, Unity of Worship, Unity of His Names and His Attributes, and Unity in following the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Scholars will also teach the the basis of Shirk creeping into Islamic doctrine or forms of polytheism, which include” invoking or supplicating to a false deity besides Allah, with the purpose and intention of worshipping a deity other then Allah. Obeying any created being against the command of Allah, and loving a created being or an object more than Allah involves Shirk.”
The workshop will be held at Nasandhura Palace Hotel from February 25 to 26, 2011, and both male and female participants are invited. A membership fee of US$20 (Mrf 250) will to be charged from each participant. IFM will provide course materials and serve all meals during the study sessions.
Application forms are available on the IFM’s website www.islamicfoundationofthemaldives.org.
(0)Dislikes(0)O-level results for 2010 continued a general trend of improvement, with particular gains in science subjects says Deputy Minister Education Dr Abdulla Nazeer.
Of the approximately 6700 students who sat the international standardised high school exams last year, 35 percent passed five subjects, up on 32 percent in 2009 and 27 percent in 2008.
“Out of 216 schools, 100 performed better last year at O’levels,” Dr Nazeer said. “Also, the number of schools achieving over 60 percent in five subjects rose from 9 to 15.”
In addition 197 students received perfect marks of 100, Dr Nazeer said, and were awarded A* – a new grade introduced this year. 330 students were in line to receive top achievers awards, he said.
“Another significant result was a drop in U-grades [ungraded], which is one of the biggest issues facing schools,” Dr Nazeer said. “It’s been dropping since 2009, from 22 percent in 2008 to 19 percent in 2009 and 16 percent in 2010.”
Most major subjects showed a positive trend in results except for arts, geography and history, Dr Nazeer said, “subjects which are only taken by few students.”
Dr Nazeer noted “a huge increase” in science results, including chemistry, physics and maths, across the country.”
Dhivehi results improved 14 percent this year, “but unfortunately Islam didn’t do as well as expected, with a 1.5 percent decline, continuing a seven year trend.”
He suggested a further emphasis on Islam and Dhivehi at O-level. Regarding the Ministry steering committee’s controversial suggestion that both these subjects be made optional at A-level, Dr Nazeer said “we have got the technical advice to finalise the curriculum framework, but the political decision has not been made yet. We are sending Cabinet a paper towards the end of next month.”
While education was not a government manifesto pledge, Dr Nazeer noted, “I don’t think it will be difficult to achieve the goal of 60 percent pass in five subjects by 2013.”
Further focus in 2011 would be the development of “holistic education”, he said, explaining that this represented the promotion of physical education and extracurricular clubs, as well as leadership activities and ensuring students had the “opportunity to use technology in the classroom.”
The Ministry was also submitting a paper to Cabinet outlining a proposal to encourage students failing five subjects to remain in the schooling system for a further two years, with the opportunity to gain certificates and foundation diplomas.
The Education Ministry has also revealed an Rf 38 million (US$3 million) design for a replacement for Arabiyya school, after the school was closed following the collapse of a wall last year.
Funds for the new seven-storey building, to be built opposite Ameeniyya School, will be included in next years budget, Director at the Education Ministry Mohamed Yousuf told newspaper Haveeru.
The proposed structure includes 28 classrooms, computer lab, library, prayer room and a hall for 400-500 students, Haveeru noted, adding that the building would be completed by the end of the year and students transferred in time for the next academic year.
Bids for the project will be opened on February 17 after a pre-bid meeting on February 7, the Finance Ministry has stated.
(0)Dislikes(0)As some of the country’s most high-profile political figures campaign around the country ahead of this Saturday’s local council elections, their respective parties have been outlining the policies they hope will sway the elections in their favour.
President Mohamed Nasheed, his predecessor Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and current (DRP) leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali have been touring the country’s atolls to meet and greet constituents who on Feburary 5 will be decide the shape of decentralised governance.
Heading the country’s main political opposition, Thasmeen said that the DRP is pursuing four key messages with its campaigning: equality, democratic practices, Islamic values and keeping the country’s assets under state control.
“We will not sell off state assets,” he said. “We are particularly concerned about the sale of uninhabited islands and the selling of shares in [telecoms provider] Dhiraagu – this is not the right path.”
One of the key concerns the opposition leader claimed was of central importance during the local council campaign was that of strengthening democratic practices, an area he the current ruling MDP “needed to work on much harder.”
“We believe independent institutions like the Elections Commission (EC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) should be strengthened,” he said. “Government offices have tried to discredit these institutions, even in the police service where we have seen dismissals for political purposes.”
Ultimately, Thasmeen said that he believed the MDP-led government had been “very partisan” in providing state services and more equality was needed when filling jobs and providing healthcare to politicians.
Alongside the party’s serving members, Thasmeen said he believed that the DRP’s position within the upcoming elections had been strengthened by the return to campaigning of its honorary leader, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
While not confirming how Gayoom would be campaigning for the party in relation to the strategy outlined by the DRP’s council committee, Thasmeen said he welcomed any assistance. “Mr Gayoom is very well respected and holds an honourable position in the party,” he said.
During his own travels along the campaign trail, President Mohamed Nasheed has also been campaigning to play up the work the MDP has already conducted and will look to continue.
The party’s election manifesto consists of five core pledges: ‘nationwide transport’, ‘affordable living costs’, ‘affordable housing’, ‘affordable quality healthcare’, and the ‘prevention of narcotics abuse and trafficking’.
The party stated at its Congress in late September 2010 that it considered the pledges to be “40 percent” completed.
Whilst visiting the island of Feeali yesterday during a tour of Faafu Atoll and Dhaalu Atoll, the president claimed he remained committed to driving ahead developments despite what he called “unjustifiable criticisms” leveled at his work by opposition parties.
Nasheed stressed that the MDP was campaigning on the basis of continued developments in infrastructure and social protection already focused on within outer lying islands during his administration’s tenure.
The innaguration of sewerage systems in 17 islands – allegedly up from just four before the party came to power as a coalition in 2008 – and the completion of seven water grids in atolls outside of Male’ were used as some examples of MDP’s commitment to national development.
Outside of the country’s two most prominent political parties, President of the religious Adhaalath Party, Sheikh Hussein Rasheed, said its candidates were mainly focused on three main aims during the election.
Sheikh Rasheed said that Adhaalath candidates would focus on “wide ranging development”, aiming to reduce problems associated with drug abuse and “uniting people together”.
“We will co-operate with the government as per the law, of course,” he added.
Rasheed said that candidates for the Adhaalath Party were running for seats in Raa Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Addu Atoll, Gnaviyani Atoll and the city of Male’.
”It is very likely that the Adhaalath Party candidate for Raa Atoll and Haa Dhaalu Atoll will win the seat,” he claimed.
The local council elections are scheduled for February 5, this coming Saturday.
(0)Dislikes(0)The main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has announced that it will hold a protest tonight against what they allege is the political bias of the state media.
The DRP has said that the protesters will set off the protest tonight from the artificial beach at 8:45pm.
”We have waited very patiently for a long time, but our patience is reaching its end. The state media is constantly promoting and campaigning for the government in different ways,” said DRP MP Ahmed Nihan. ”MNBC have been interviewing different government ministers and have been creating TV programs to promote the government.”
Nihan said he was “certain” there was “a secret deal” made between MNBC and the government.
”MNBC was re-branded and changed its name after two board members of Television Maldives (TVM) proposed their names for the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) board but were dismissed from the parliament,” Nihan claimed. ”Whats happening is very clear for us and now we want the government to free state media and to make it independent.”
The opposition majority-parliament and the executive are grappling for control of MNBC, after parliament last year created MBC as a competing entity to MNBC and demanded that the government transfer MNBC’s assets. The government refused and the matter entered the judicial system.
Nihan suggested that President Mohamed Nasheed should “ring opposition MPs and give them encouragement like he did with opposition leader in Egypt, El-Baradei.”
”We will hold a very peaceful protest tonight and for now we have not planed to march anywhere, we will just remain at the artificial beach raising our voice,” he said.
He also said the youth’s wing of the party has invited everyone including leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali and former Deputy Leader Umar Naseer to join the protest tonight.
(0)Dislikes(0)