Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan

Majority leader threatens journalist with defamation action

Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan threatened to sue a journalist during a televised press conference on Saturday in response to a question about allegations linking ruling coalition lawmakers to the Maldives’ biggest corruption.

Hiking tobacco tariffs to discourage smoking called into question

A record 200 percent import duty hike in 2012 failed to reduce demand and the number of cigarettes imported to the Maldives increased to 497 million in 2016 from 460 million the previous year despite a further hike in April 2015 that jacked up prices to MVR48 a pack.

Majlis fast-tracks bill to lease islands without bidding

Majority leader seeks to assuage journalists’ concerns over defamation bill

Speaking to reporters after a meeting Tuesday afternoon with the Maldives Media Council, the parliamentary group leader of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives said the government is willing to address press freedom concerns raised by journalists and amend the proposed defamation and freedom of expression law.

PPM MPs reluctant to approve Dr Shakeela as health minister