A local man who was injured after his motorcycle collided with a car on the Hulhumalé bridge highway on Thursday evening was in critical condition on a ventilator, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital informed the media.
The Kudagiri picnic island developed for Malé residents was fully booked for opening day on Saturday, half an hour after the website and mobile app started accepting requests at 4 p.m.
Several people were unable to make bookings due to the high demand, the Housing Development Corporation, which manages the picnic island, told Dhauru. Kudagiri has a capacity of 500 people but 300 slots were made available for the opening day.
The ferry ride from Malé and Hulhumalé – 15 minutes by speedboat – as well as entrance to Kudagiri will be free for Maldivians on weekends and public holidays. On other days, ferry tickets will be sold for MVR25 (US$1.6) and an entrance fee of MVR50 will be charged on arrival. The artificial island has seven beaches with huts and private rooms available for rent (which can also be booked online), changing rooms, a café and restaurant, a shop, a mosque, a clinic, 40 security cameras, and facilities for recreational activities and water sports.
Kudagiri – which was developed through reclamation of a lagoon near Malé – was previously scheduled to open in July 2022 and then November 2022.
Two islands traditionally used by Malé residents for picnics, Kuda Bandos and Feydhoo Finolhu, were controversially leased for resort development during previous administrations. Developing a new picnic island was a pledge of the incumbent.
The Maldives Red Crescent collected more than MVR256,000 (US$16,600) as donations in two days to help victims of the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.
After the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched Emergency Appeals for US$216 million, the Maldives Red Crescent started collecting funds from 7 to 14 February.
On Friday, the president announced that the Maldives government would donate one million cans of tuna “to assist in the efforts to provide humanitarian and relief aid”.
90% of Thilafushi plots up for sale will be reserved for Maldivian businesses with rent control, the Housing Development Corporation assured, after opposition parties criticised the leasing of land from the industrial island to foreigners for 99 years.
In a bid to alleviate the high cost and shortage of land for industrial use, HDC – the state-owned developer of the manmade islands Hulhumalé, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi near the capital Malé – plans to sell 57 plots from 150 hectares of land to be reclaimed this year.
On Tuesday, an opposition lawmaker submitted a motion without notice to debate the 99-year leases as a matter of urgent concern. But the ruling party’s supermajority voted it out. The main opposition Progressive Congress Coalition vowed to seize the plots if the party returns to power after September’s presidential election.
The opposition Maldives National Party expressed concern with local businesses having to compete with foreign businesses to secure scarce land from the Greater Malé Region, calling for a “Maldivians First” policy.
The constitution prohibits foreign ownership of any part of Maldivian territory, but allows leasing of land for up to 99 years.
Earlier this month, HDC invited expressions of interest with a minimum price of MVR1,700 (US$100) per square feet. The size of the plots range from 2,500 square feet to 35,000 square feet.
A gym for MPs and staff opened on the 12th floor of the parliament office building.
The controversial Ameenee Magu redevelopment project in Malé is behind schedule, the infrastructure minister told parliament. The revised completion date is 27 September, he said in response to a query from a lawmaker. Reasons included a delay in supplying water pipes.
Amid corruption allegations by the city council, the MVR84 million (US$5.4 million) project – which involves laying 1.7 kilometres of tar and developing storm-drainage systems as well as wheelchair access and braille blocks for the disabled – was awarded to the state-owned Road Development Corporation in July to be completed in 10 months. Work began on 30 August. RDC has since faced criticism over the uprooting of trees and the slow pace of work. A section at the eastern end of the thoroughfare remains closed to traffic.
The unauthorised treatment of several Maldivians by an Iraqi self-proclaimed faith healer is under investigation, the health ministry told the media, days after Mala Ali Kurdistani left the country.
The authorities were made aware of the controversial spiritual healer’s trip – during which he reportedly “treated” several local children – after videos were posted on YouTube and TikTok. He claims to be able to cure deafness by reciting the Quran. He also holds the neck and ears, sticks his finger in the mouth and strikes other parts of the body.
Former MP Mohamed Musthafa denied posting a tweet offering MVR50,000 (US$3,240) for spitting in President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s face. After he was summoned for questioning by the police, Musthafa told Mihaaru that two or three people from his house uses his phone to tweet from his account. But he refused to apologise for the tweet, accusing the president of fraud and deception. The government owes him US$500,000 as compensation for a boat, Musthafa claims.
Five men suspected of turtle poaching were caught by the police with six green turtle carcasses last Friday, the Environment Protection Agency revealed. Police from Baa Kendhoo found them “cooking and processing turtle meat on a large scale.” The men, all of whom were from Kendhoo, were released after the police took their statements.
Baa Atoll, where Kendhoo is located, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The green sea turtle is an endangered species protected by law in the Maldives. But the hunting and killing of turtles for its meat and eggs – especially on uninhabited islands – is common despite a longstanding ban.
The authorities faced criticism over the deportation of a 23-year-old Brazilian woman after 2.6kg of cocaine was found in her luggage. The drugs with an estimated street value of MVR6.5 million (US$421,530) were seized upon her arrival at the Malé airport via Doha.
According to customs, the immigration department refused entry and sent her back in consultation with law enforcement agencies. The immigration controller was authorised to do so by new rules enacted in January for dealing with foreigners caught smuggling illicit narcotics.
A speedboat in the Meemu Dhiggaru harbour caught fire, injuring two people including the vessel’s owner. Both were brought to Malé with severe burns. One of the victims was undergoing treatment at the ADK Hospital’s high dependency unit whilst the other was in the ward.
A visiting Chinese medical team commenced a training programme for doctors and nurses at the Chinese-funded ophthalmology centre in the Hulhumalé hospital.
The team of specialists also treated 143 patients with eye problems, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and retinal tear.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih delivered the annual state of the nation address at the opening of parliament for 2023.
In the final address of his five-year term, President Solih pledged a pay rise for health sector workers and university staff. Civil servants would also be eligible for a 35% allowance starting in May. The monthly benefit of MVR2,000 (US$130) for disabled persons will rise in June, he announced, without disclosing the new amount. The president’s office was petitioned last year to increase the allowance to MVR5,000 a month.
Title deeds for 4,000 flats and 5,000 plots of land will be handed over to successful applicants by the end of June, he said, announcing a decision to increase the number of plots to be awarded to native residents of Malé from the manmade islands of Hulhumalé, Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru. A total of 20,697 and 15,164 applications were submitted respectively for the flats and plots. Resolving the densely-packed capital’s housing crisis was a key campaign pledge.
Elsewhere in the country, 556 housing units will be completed by June and 2,200 are under construction.
Citing robust economic growth, the president predicted that GDP would double from MVR81 billion in 2018 to MVR177 billion in 2028. Government revenue was also projected to double to MVR45 billion.
Ahead of September’s presidential election, the incumbent highlighted the achievements and signature policies of his administration:
- 16,315 students enrolled in Free First Degree programme and 6,500 graduated.
- Minimum wage introduced in January 2022 positively impacted more than 33,500 workers.
- Powerhouses completed on 76 islands.
- Speedboat ferry network established in northern atolls of Thiladhunmathi and Faadhippoplhu. Service to commence by the end of the year in southernmost atolls of Huvadhu Fuvahmulah and Addu.
- Projects launched to develop international airports in Hanimadhoo and Addu City Gan with the capacity to serve 2.8 million passengers annually.
- MVR1.16 billion disbursed by SME Bank to 1,100 beneficiaries.
- Authentic Maldives outlets – which promotes and sells products from 182 local craftspeople and businesses – opened in Narita and Kansai airports in Japan.
- Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company purchased a record MR1 billion worth of fish in 2022.
- More than 800 farmers from 46 islands joined government-owned Agronat network, which buys and sells local produce.
- 24% drop in patients referred from Kulhudhuffushi regional hospital to Malé after upgrading of services.
- More than 60,000 consultations from Centre for Mental Health in Malé.
- Solar PV systems to generate 42.6 megawatts of renewable energy to have been installed in five years.
- One-third of local council seats reserved for women.
- Work underway on Thilamalé bridge and relocation of Malé port to Gulhifalhu.
As the president delivered his annual address, opposition supporters protested near parliament, calling for the release of jailed former president Abdulla Yameen. Police in riot gear pushed back protesters with shields and used pepper spray to disperse the crowd.
According to the opposition spokeswoman, 17 people were arrested and nine people – including two journalists – required treatment for injuries.
Inside parliament, opposition lawmakers protested in front of the president’s podium and obstructed the speech. The speaker called the names of MPs Ahmed Shiyam, Adam Shareef Umar, Mohamed Saeed and Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed and adjourned proceedings until security officers could remove them from the chamber. Saeed’s suit was torn as he was forcibly expelled.
The Progressive Congress Coalition condemned both the “disproportionate use of force” by riot police as well as the deployment of parliament’s female security officers to physically remove male MPs, which was tantamount to “deliberately stripping women of their honour and dignity”.
Concurring with the opposition, ruling party lawmaker Rozaina Adam proposed a regulatory change to ensure that only male security staff could physically remove male lawmakers from the chamber.
Two journalists from the opposition-aligned Channel 13 TV station were injured while covering an opposition protest near parliament. Videographer Hassan Shaheed and cameraman Ahmed Misbaah were pepper sprayed and struck by police shields.
As police charged the protesters, Shaheed suffered a concussion after he was hit on the head by a shield, according to the Progressive Party of Maldives. He required treatment at the intensive care unit of the ADK hospital and remained in serious condition after regaining consciousness, the PPM claimed.
But ADK officials told the media that no one injured at the protest was treated at the ICU. Later in the day, Shaheed was flown to Sri Lanka for further treatment.
The Maldives Journalist Association urged the police to “protect journalists when dispersing such demonstrations.”
“Maldives authorities must investigate the police assault of journalists Hassan Shaheed and Ahmed Misbaah and hold the officers responsible to account,” said Beh Lih Yi, Asia programme coordinator of the Committee to Protect Journalists. “Police must respect the right of journalists to freely and safely report on events of public interest ahead of the upcoming presidential election in September.”
Contacted by the CPJ, the police chief assured an internal review into the incident where Shaheed was injured but “denied that the journalist was pushed or sustained a head injury.”
Channel 13 cameraman Misbaah was injured again during an opposition protest on the following night, according to the PPM.
Irate supporters of the Guraidhoo school team stormed the field and attacked the referee after a semi-final match against Kalaafaanu School in the Under-17 Inter-School Football Tournament. After the match ended in a 2-1 victory for Kalaafaanu, some Guraidhoo players confronted the referee, prompting some parents and team officials to join the melee, chase after and assault the referee.
The education ministry and sports minister condemned the “unsportsmanlike behaviour”. The Football Association of Maldives slapped a one-year ban on the Guraidhoo school team, suspending players and officials from all competitions. Three players were suspended for two years.
The High Court upheld an order by the Information Commissioner’s office for the Bank of Maldives to comply with a right to information request to disclose staff renumeration.
BML had challenged the information request for salary details of top management, contending that the bank did not fall within the purview of the RTI law.
The High Court ruling sets a precedent that state-owned enterprises are legally mandated to reveal information in line with the 2014 law.
A 31-year-old man was reported missing from Malé. Mohamed Asir Ismail, from the Gaskara house in Seenu Maradhoo-Feydhoo, was last seen around 7:30 p.m on Saturday night.
According to Asir’s family, he left home to go to work at a family-owned shop in Hulhumalé. But he left his motorcycle keys and has not been heard from since. Security camera footage from a shop in front of Asir’s residence in Malé showed him walking on Roashanee Magu. Asir did not have a record of drug abuse but had been taking medication for a mental illness.
A 73-year-old man was also reported missing earlier this month from Alif Alif Mathiveri. Hassan Ali was last seen around 10:30 on the night of 31 January. A joint search by police and islanders yielded no sign. Coastguard divers also searched the island’s lagoon.
Malé Mayor Dr Mohamed Muizzu claimed to have taken action after the city council’s spokeswoman called for changing the government “even through bloodshed”.
Following complaints to Twitter, Mariyam Shiuna’s account was later suspended over the incendiary tweet.
Shiuna deleted the tweet and apologised after Muizzu called her and advised against using language that incites violence, the mayor told the press.
The transport ministry introduced digital licenses for land vehicles. The license can be checked and downloaded from the ministry’s portal, which can also be used to apply for online services. The license can also be shown through the police mobile phone app.
After the rollout of the new software, printed license cards will only be issued upon special request.
An MoU on Immigration Matters was signed between the Maldives and Sri Lanka during Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid’s official visit to attend celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence.
During a meeting with his counterpart, Shahid expressed gratitude “for the Sri Lankan Government’s willingness to ease the procedure for obtaining visa for Maldivian students under the age of 18 on a reciprocal basis.”
The Employment Tribunal disputed claims by a member about being forced to return to work two months after giving birth. The seven-member tribunal came under fire last week after an Instagram post by Sham’aa Ibrahim about bringing her son to work was widely covered by the press, prompting outrage on social media and condemnation from women’s rights groups. A request for an extension of maternity leave had been denied, according to the tribunal member.
But Sham’aa could have taken her annual 30 days leave and 10 days of family leave, the tribunal said in a statement, accusing her of bringing the institution into disrepute. She was also entitled to two 30-minute breaks during the work day to return home, which would reduce her working hours to three hours and 30 minutes, it added.
While female staff at the commission were granted six months of paid maternity leave, a two-month maternity leave for tribunal members had been approved as part of ethical guidelines passed unanimously in August 2021. As five of the seven members were women, the two-month period stipulated in the employment law had been decided upon in order to avoid disruptions to the tribunal’s work, the statement read.
The tribunal also defended its decision to advise Sham’aa not to bring her infant to work, citing the lack of an appropriate environment at the office. Her request to work from home could not be accommodated either as joining hearings remotely through audio or video conference was only allowed by the law in specified circumstances, the statement noted.
The opposition Progressive Congress Coalition concluded its three-day ‘Hope Conference’ with a rally at Malé’s artificial beach. Led by parliament’s former secretary general Ahmed Mohamed, all participants recited a pledge resolving to do everything possible to free jailed former president Abdulla Yameen and ensure that he can contest and win September’s election.
More than 1,000 delegates from across the country attended the conference, which was intended to “serve as the stepping stone” to launch Yameen’s election campaign.
The opposition leader is ineligible to contest due to his conviction and 11-year imprisonment on bribery and money laundering charges. But the opposition is holding out hope that the verdict would be overturned on appeal, refusing to entertain any notions about fielding an alternative candidate.
The president reopened the modernised Olympus theatre in Malé. The upgrading and renovation were funded by the Indian government’s ‘High Impact Community Development Project’ grant scheme.
Improvements included “the installation of a retractable motorised screen, a modern digital projector, new surround sound and lighting systems, a control room, and the addition of practice rooms and changing rooms,” according to the president’s office.
“The upgrades to the theatre also include a more spacious café, a backyard stage for small events and concerts, and ramps for wheelchair accessibility. Olympus was opened 64 years ago, in 1959, and paved the way for developing the music, motion picture, and performing arts industries.”
