Author

Mohamed Saif Fathih

Saif Fathih is a columnist at the Maldives Independent and a serving member of the Malé City Council for Galolhu North. With his educational background in communications, international studies and public policy, he previously worked as a journalist, editor and public policy advisor, with roles including senior policy director at the ministry of national planning and editor of Ocean Weekly Magazine. Saif began his career as a radio producer and presenter at Minivan Radio, writer for Minivan Daily, and translator for the British High Commission and the European Union Mission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. He is also the host of Ithuru Vaahaka, the Maldives Independent podcast.

124 articles

Adduans still measure development against abandoned British base

"Nothing pledged has panned out for us."

01 Sep 2025, 16:31

Episode 10: Live from the journalists’ protest site

Journalists warn the bill curbs free speech, challenging the president and walking out on the AG.

29 Aug 2025, 17:20

Episode 9: Youth-led research challenges Addu’s development narrative

Project ThimaaVeshi sheds light on Addu’s competing visions of growth and conservation.

22 Aug 2025, 14:54

Government locks down local council powers in final year before 2026 elections

Island councils have blasted the government’s hypocritical undermining of their powers, as a bid for control during election years.

17 Aug 2025, 15:29

Episode 8: Defending decentralised governance with Hussain Shafiu

Baa Atoll Kihaadhoo Council President Hussain Shafiu on the rushed changes to the Decentralisation Act that strip powers from local councils in their final year.

15 Aug 2025, 14:20

Captured by a spreadsheet: how one man controls Maldives' anti-corruption system

The watchdog shields the powerful and denies justice through digital gatekeeping.

10 Aug 2025, 12:11

Nobody knows who owns Malé's land – and that's not an accident

Public land, private deals, zero transparency.

03 Aug 2025, 15:56

Stop the bulldozers: the fight to save Malé's last graveyards

A fatwa came too late for the Maafannu cemetery.

28 Jul 2025, 12:36

"The worst-run football association in the world"

FIFA was forced to intervene last year.

20 Jul 2025, 15:35

Episode 7: History, identity and coconut palms with Naajih Didi

What do cemeteries and coconut palms have to do with Maldivian identity? Historian Naajih Didi joins us to explain.

18 Jul 2025, 15:11

100,000 citizens, zero democracy: HDC's corporate stranglehold on Hulhumalé

A presidential pledge to hand over control remains unfulfilled.

14 Jul 2025, 14:13

Episode 6: Can Maldivian football be fixed?

With football at a standstill, FAM is now under a FIFA-appointed committee.

11 Jul 2025, 16:53

"Who lost a plot?": a nine-minute showdown with the housing minister

A heated exchange ensued when Dr Muththalib called to complain about a tweet.

10 Jul 2025, 13:14

No bodies, no blood, no answers: what happened to Malé's missing cats?

A police investigation is underway after 280 cats vanished without a trace.

30 Jun 2025, 16:04

Episode 5: Exposing the data breach with YouTuber, @WhoIsFishie

Fishie exposes how personal data is being leaked by apps and agencies across the Maldives.

27 Jun 2025, 16:32

Moving goalposts, broken promises: the housing scheme that ate itself

The rules were rewritten for retroactive disqualification.

25 Jun 2025, 16:04

"Merit" takes a backseat: the Supreme Court's political makeover

So much for a Supreme Court of "competence and integrity."

15 Jun 2025, 14:31

Maldives data crisis: citizens' personal information sold for US$ 9,700

Scams exploiting stolen data cost US$ 90,000 in one month.

08 Jun 2025, 13:07

Episode 4: Malé Rahvehinge Jamiyya (MRJ) board members on Gedhoruveriya and Binveriya scheme

Our latest Ithuru Vaahaka podcast explores the concerns of Binveriya and Gedhoruveriya scheme applicants, following last week's finalisation of the Gulhifalhu Land Use Plan and drawing of new lots.

06 Jun 2025, 19:41

Right to information “in the red” as Maldives government’s secrecy deepens

Not a single ministry met minimum requirements.

05 Jun 2025, 15:38

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