Tag: ppm

PPM denies using presidential residence for party functions

Functions of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) held at the official presidential residence Muleeage are not funded from the state budget, President Abdulla Yameen has said.

Speaking to the press at a PPM event in Muleeage on Thursday night (June 5), President Yameen reportedly said he did not believe using the official residence for meetings or party activities amounted to misuse of state resources.

The president’s remarks followed Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim’s insistance last week that state property could not be used for party activities.

Niyaz told local media that Muleeage could only be used either for functions held by the president or the first lady in their official capacity or for meeting invited guests.

Recent signing ceremonies to welcome high-profile new members to the ruling party – most recently Independent MP Abdulla Khaleel and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim – have been held in Muleeage.

President Yameen told reporters Thursday night that while he respected the auditor general’s opinion he did not believe using Muleeage for party functions was a problem.

“No money from the government’s budget or Muleeage budget is spent for any work done here. If there’s a tea or anything else here, we make the expenses outside the budget. So this is not a resource that is consumed,” Yameen was quoted as saying by newspaper Haveeru.

Yameen said he meets members of the public as well as MPs at Muleeage, adding that meeting MPs at the President’s Office to discuss parliamentary affairs would be “too official.”

“If expenses are not made from the government budget, it would be best if the place [Muleeage] is not made too much of an issue,” he suggested.

After assuming office in November, President Yameen had announced that he would continue to live in his private residence. However, the budget allocated for the official residence was increased by MVR2 million (US$130,208) in the state budget for 2014 – rising to MVR19.1 million (US$1.2 million).

In April this year, parliament approved amendments to to the law governing renumeration and benefits for the president and vice president making it mandatory for the state to cover expenses of the pair’s private residences should either choose not to live in the official residences.

“Biased and misleading”

Meanwhile, the PPM also put out a press statement last week contending that the auditor general’s remarks were biased, misleading and politically motivated.

“This party’s activities have not been held in the president’s official residence Muleeage so far,” the party claimed.

The party also contended that the president holding meetings in Muleeage with various individuals could not be considered “a political party activity.”

Alleging that a number of party activities and functions – without the participation of the president – had been held in Muleeage during the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed, the PPM noted that “the auditor general had not said anything about it” at the time.

The press release went on to criticise the auditor general for not objecting to political party activities allegedly held at the Malé City Council premises as well as the use of the Dharubaaruge convention centre by protesters of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the wake of the controversial transfer of power in February 2012.

“Therefore, as this party believes that the interviews given by the auditor general to the media saying that the president’s official residence is being used for this party’s activities were biased and political, we express deep concern about the matter,” the press release stated.

The statement concluded by calling on the auditor general not to make statements without “properly considering the truth of the matter.”

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Government announces new political appointees

President Abdulla Yameen has this week announced a number of new political appointees.

Abdul Rasheed Nafiz has been reappointed as chairman of the Transport Authority – having been appointed to the post previously during President Mohamed Waheed’s administration before being removedby the current government in January.

Former parliamentarian for the Hanimaadhoo constituency Mohamed Mujuthaz has been appointed to the post of state minister at the President’s Office. Mujuthaz is a member of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Former footballer Shah Ismail has been appointed deputy minister of youth and sports. Shah served as the ministry’s sports advisor during the Waheed administration.

Meanwhile, the PPM’s Secretary General Mohamed Zuhair has been appointed deputy minister of finance and treasury.

Last week Yameen proposed three names as heads of diplomatic missions, nominating Abdulla Hameed as Non-Resident Ambassador to the United ‎Arab Emirates and the State of Kuwait, Dr Mohamed Asim as Non-Resident High Commissioner to ‎Bangladesh, and Ahmed Shiaan as Ambassador to Belgium and the European ‎Union, and as Non-Resident High Commissioner to the United ‎Kingdom.

Both the Bangladesh and the UK missions have had their resident high commissioners removed as the Foreign Ministry seeks to reduce costs.

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Government submits bill on special economic zones

A bill on establishing special economic zones (SEZ) to attract foreign investment has been submitted to parliament on behalf of the government by Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Nihan.

The SEZ bill becomes the first piece of legislation to be proposed by President Abdulla Yameen’s administration to the 18th People’s Majlis, the newly-elected PPM parliamentary group leader tweeted on Thursday (June 5).

Speaking to reporters prior to departing to China on Wednesday night (June 4) to attend the Kunming Trade Fair, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed explained that special economic zones would be established in the north, south and other “strategic locations.”

The SEZ bill is intended to expand the economy and could “bring an end to the dependence on tourism,” he said.

In addition to ports and light industries, Saeed said financial services and bunkering facilities would be made available at the zones.

“So the result of this would be the introduction of different industries to the Maldivian economy in addition to tourism,” he said, adding that the new enterprises could be more lucrative and beneficial than tourism.

Referring to the impact on the Maldives from the 2004 tsunami and the spread of the SARS virus, Saeed stressed the importance of diversification, as the Maldivian economy was vulnerable to external shocks due to the extreme dependence on the tourism industry.

He noted that economic development and job creation was the key focus of President Yameen’s election campaign.

The government conducted “a wide research” in drafting the bill, Saeed continued, and studied the practices of countries such as Dubai, South Korea, Mauritius, Cyprus, China, and Singapore.

The bill would “completely ensure investor protection,” he asserted.

Business-friendly laws were essential for attracting investors for mega-projects planned by the government, Saeed noted, such as the ‘iHavan’ transhipment port project.

The minister also expressed confidence that parliament would pass the bill without delay.

Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed meanwhile observed that the ruling party had a clear majority in parliament with a team of young MPs committed to the government’s economic agenda.

“Freeholds”

President Yameen had declared in April that the SEZ bill would become “a landmark law” that would strengthen the country’s foreign investment regime.

“What we would like to confirm for the foreign investors who come to the Maldives is that foreign investors should feel that Maldives is your second home here,” Yameen had said at a function in Hulhumale’.

The special economic zones would be “likened to cities in Dubai or the Emirates” and “the [business] environment we have in Singapore.”

The new law would enable investors to have “freeholds” in the country and allow investors “to engage in really, really long gestative projects,” Yameen said.

“We are embarking on an era of growth,” he said.

Other economic bills in the government’s legislative agenda include bills on foreign investment, insurance, consumer protection, corporate social responsibility and small claims as well as amendments to the Maldives Monetary Authority Act and the Pensions Act.

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Select committee decides composition of ‘241’ security services committees

The composition of parliament’s ‘241’ security services committee has been determined today by a five-member select committee chosen at Monday’s sitting.

Article 241 of the constitution states, “A committee of the People’s Majlis shall be established to exercise continuing oversight of the operations of the security services. The committee shall include representation from all the different political parties within the People’s Majlis.”

Parliamentary rules dictate proportional representation in standing committees for political parties based on the number of MPs in each party.

The select committee decided to allocate four seats for the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), three seats for the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), two seats for the Jumhooree Party (JP), and one seat each for the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) and the Adhaalath Party (AP).

Along with Independent MP Muaz Mohamed Rasheed, the committee will consist of 12 MPs.

The select committee decided the number of seats to allocate for each party in the other 12 standing committees during meetings yesterday.

The PPM with 38 MPs will have five seats each from 11 committees and four seats from one committee while the MDP with 25 MPs will have four seats from nine committees and one seat from three committees.

The JP with 15 MPs will have two seats each from 11 committees and one seat from one committee.

The MDA with its five MPs will have one seat from eight committees while Adhaalath Party MP Anara Naeem and Independent MP Muaz will each sit in two committees.

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Environment Minister Thoriq signs for PPM

Minister of Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim signed for the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) today.

Thoriq had been filling a slot assigned for the Jumhooree Party (JP) under the coalition agreement formed with the PPM during last year’s presidential election.

Following the dissolution of the coalition agreement between the JP and PPM last week, nine political appointees belonging to the JP – including Transport Minister Ameen Ibrahim – were dismissed by President Abdulla Yameen, prompting speculation in the media that the three ministers remaining in JP slots would join the ruling party to retain their posts.

Speaking to press after signing his membership form at a ceremony in Muleeage this afternoon, Thoriq said he decided to sign for the PPM to complete the work begun by his ministry after the current administration took office in November last year.

The environment minister assured the public that he would “sincerely” remain behind President Yameen for the next five years and endeavour to develop the country.

Thoriq also denied coming under “any kind of pressure” to sign for the ruling party in the wake of the coalition’s breakup.

In his remarks at the ceremony, President Abdulla Yameen meanwhile praised Thoriq as an “active” and “resourceful person,” welcoming the minister to the party on behalf of PPM Leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the party’s council, parliamentary group and members.

“Welcome to the team. God willing, we are beginning a long-haul journey so welcome aboard,” he said.

Aside from Thoriq, Home Minister Umar Naseer and Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed were also appointed to the cabinet as JP political appointees. The pair have however yet to sign for the PPM.

The PPM severed its coalition agreement with the JP following a dispute over the speaker’s post, which was contested by JP Leader Gasim Ibrahim after President Yameen urged the business tycoon to withdraw his candidacy and support a PPM candidate.

President Yameen however told reporters on Sunday (June 1) that the PPM was still willing to work with the former coalition partner and professed “respect” for Gasim.

Yameen noted that three cabinet ministers as well as board members of state-owned enterprises occupying JP slots remained in the government.

He also denied pressuring the JP members to sign for the ruling party to retain their government jobs, adding that it was “up to them to decide” how best to serve the nation.

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PPM and MDP elect parliamentary group leaders

The Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have elected leaders of their parliamentary groups.

Ruling PPM elected MP for Villimalé constituency Ahmed Nihan in an election held on Monday. MP for Vilifushi Riyaz Rasheed was elected as a deputy. Nihan is now the majority leader as PPM holds a majority in the parliament with 38 MPs.

MP for Hinnavaru constituency Ibrahim ‘Ibu’ Solih was elected uncontested to head the opposition MDP’s parliamentary group in an election on Sunday. He is now the Majlis’ minority leader.

MP for Meedhoo constituency Rozaina Adam was elected deputy PG leader of the 25 member MDP group.

The 14 MP Jumhooree Party (JP) also elected their MP Gasim Ibrahim as parliamentary group last week.

The 18th People’s Majlis convened on May 28.

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Syrian fighters, Majlis speakers, and soccer – The Weekly Review

May 24th – 30th

The Syrian civil war hit the headlines here as the  Bilad Al Sham Media media group reported that two Maldivian nationals had died in Syria while fighting pro-government forces.

Local media identified the individuals as Hassan Shifaz from Galolhu in the capital Malé, and Ali Adam from Shaviyani atoll – the latter reportedly dying in a suicide attack.

The government’s response to the reports has been muted and subsequently criticised – though the Islamic minister opined that Maldivians should not be fighting foreign wars in the name of Islam.

The government may well have been preoccupied with the predictable fracturing of its ruling coalition, with Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim’s attempt to secure the Majlis Speaker’s role enough to see its agreement with the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives dissolved.

After President Abdulla Yameen warned the JP leader that his candidacy must be withdrawn, Gasim’s refusal to defer resulted in the PPM’s announcement that its 15-MP ally was no longer part of the Progressive Coalition.

The fragility of the coalition’s remaining advantage in the new Majlis was indicated by the narrow victory of the PPM’s Abdulla Maseeh – beating Gasim by just four votes. Meanwhile, the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik edged out his PPM opponent to take the deputy speaker’s chair.

At the start of the week, the MDP had set eight areas any prospective Majlis speaker would need to focus on in order to receive the backing of its 25 MPs, including judicial reform, income tax, and the empowerment of local councils.

Prior to the appointment of his successor, former Speaker Abdulla Shahid told Minivan News of his fears for the Majlis’ future as the institution’s independence and oversight functions continued to be eroded by conservative forces.

Despite the government’s now wafer-thin majority in the legislature, Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed assured that the work of government would be unaffected as the clearout of JP ministers began.

The AFC Challenge Cup made up the third major theme of this week’s news, beginning with the Afghan team’s bus crash in Addu City last weekend.

While the police commissioner gave credence to conspiracy theories surrounding the crash in which ruled a number of Afghan players out of their semi-final match, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced it would be looking into potential wrongdoing in the sale of tickets.

Adding the sea-sickness of his players to his list of grievances, the Afghan team coach advised the Asian Football Confederation to reconsider holding further tournaments in the Maldives, while the AFC itself advised the ACC that investigations into ticketing would stray onto its turf.

The Afghan team were subsequently knocked out by eventual winners Palestine before losing the third place play-off to the Maldives – themselves exiting the tournament in a dramatic semi-final against the Philippines.

Elsewhere…

Vice President Jameel began the week by assuring the government’s commitment to press freedom, and finished it with the announcement of plans for 26 sea-ambulances by the year’s end.

Home Minister Umar Naseer meanwhile revealed his plans for correctional reform, with the division of detainees into open prisons and work gangs, with others released after being electronically tagged.

Current inmate Hussain Humam – convicted of the murder of MP Dr Afrahseem Ali – appealed his death sentence at the High Court this week.

President Yameen journeyed to India for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration – reaffirming bilateral ties – while staff of the MMPRC went down-under to convince more Australians to holiday in the Maldives.

MDP MP Imthiyaz Fahmy saw his contempt of court case dismissed, while the auditor general’s preliminary investigation into the tourism minister’s alleged corruption appeared to falter as the ports authority refused assistance.

The discovery of the body of a new-born baby in Maafannu – and the subsequent arrest of its 18-year-old mother – prompted Hope for Women to suggest that social and religious stigma was damaging the sexual health of young women.

The Health Protection Agency explained how it hoped to alleviate some of these issues with the introduction of a health education programme in Hulhumalé later this year which is to include sexual health guidance for 10 – 24-year-olds.

Finally, Minivan News this week profiled the Rajjetherey Meehunge Party – an online group aiming to highlight the continuing income disparities between those from the atolls and the Malé elite.

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JP MP Ilham attacked with a pavement brick

Jumhooree Party’s (JP) deputy leader and MP for Dhangethi constituency Ilham Ahmed was attacked on Friday morning with a pavement brick, the party has said.

Ilham, also the President of the Football Association of Maldives, was reportedly attacked shortly after he had left JP leader Gasim Ibrahim’s residence in the early hours of the morning.

The police said no arrests have been made in the case yet.

In a statement condemning the attack, JP said Ilham had suffered various injuries and had to receive medical care.

The attack comes at a time when the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives is dismissing political appointees belonging to the JP after it dissolved a coalition agreement with the JP, the statement noted.

The JP urged the government to investigate the matter immediately and called on the government to ensure a safe environment for MPs.

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MDP and PPM colluded in Speaker vote, says JP

The Jumhooree Party (JP) has suggested collusion between the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Wednesday’s secret ballot to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the People’s Majlis.

JP leader and MP Gasim Ibrahim narrowly lost the Speaker position to PPM MP Abdulla Maseeh. But MDP’s ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik won the position of deputy Speaker against PPM’s Abdul Raheem Abdulla.

The JP also condemned the PPM’s unilateral decision to end a coalition agreement made between the two parties in November’s presidential election.

The PPM had announced the dissolution claiming Gasim’s decision to run as Speaker breached the agreement.

But JP has pointed out that the agreement does not address the issue of Majlis Speakership and said Gasim’s exercising his right as an MP must not impact the agreement.

The party has also accused PPM of being irresponsible, claiming the PPM failed to hold discussions on the dispute over the Speaker, failure to appoint JP nominees to political positions as per the agreement, and failure to officially inform JP of the dissolution of the agreement.

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