Maldives News
Muizzing Maldives
In the third part of her series on the proposed Saudi development of Faafu atoll, Azra Naseem considers revelations made by ministers in the UK’s Guardian newspaper about plans to relocate populations of small islands.
04 Mar 2017, 09:00
Of myths and monsters
In the second part of her series on the Saudi-funded project for Faafu atoll, Azra Naseem examines the use of powerful national myths to counter criticism and stifle dissent.
04 Mar 2017, 09:00
Police crack down as Faafu protesters demand answers over Saudi-funded project
“What we are saying is we are worried. Half or two-third of our atoll may be sold and people don’t know what’s happening. Is it being sold, is it already sold, is it being leased? Give us that information,” a fishing boat captain involved in organising the protest on Biledhdhoo said.
03 Mar 2017, 09:00
MDP meeting hall raided over protests planned for Saudi king’s visit
Police officers have also been searching boats in Faafu atoll. A ferry called Endheri was searched in the early hours of Thursday morning and police officers have also been cutting open boxes of goods being brought in by local businesses.
02 Mar 2017, 09:00
Statement on ‘protective custody’ for journalists in Faafu atoll
The police took Maldives Independent journalists Hassan Mohamed and Hassan Moosa into “protective custody” on the island of Nilandhoo, Faafu Atoll, on Wednesday after ruling party supporters threatened them with assault.
02 Mar 2017, 09:00
Government wants to bar soldiers from voting
Citing the need to safeguard the army from political influences, Defence Minister Adam Shareef Umar announced plans to amend the Armed Forces Act this year, prompting opposition lawmakers to denounce the move as unconstitutional.
01 Mar 2017, 09:00
Resignation of ports company head prompts reshuffle
Maldives Ports Limited CEO Mohamed Junaid resigned in the wake of a widely publicised feud with a ruling party lawmaker over a disputed fuel supply deal. He has been replaced by the former managing director of the state-owned Maldives Roads Development Corporation.
01 Mar 2017, 09:00
No cause for concern over ‘US$10bn Faafu atoll project,’ insists Yameen
The Faafu project will be similar to “mixed development projects in French Riviera” with “international sea sports, mixed development, residential high-class development, many tourist resorts, many airports,” Yameen said.
01 Mar 2017, 09:00
First lady’s women’s expo branded a success
“What I see is this government probing ladies more towards staying home and doing cookery. Why would anyone at any level of the government think that handicraft work only belongs to women?” asked Shifa Mohamed, president of the MDP’s women’s wing.
28 Feb 2017, 09:00
Nationwide measles vaccination campaign underway
A mass measles and rubella vaccination campaign is underway across the Maldives with an ambitious goal of vaccinating all Maldivians between the ages of eight and 25 within two weeks.
28 Feb 2017, 09:00
Maldives seeks third term on UN Human Rights Council
Despite the foreign minister claiming successful consolidation of democracy, the curtailment of fundamental rights and the widely condemned imprisonment of opposition leaders during President Abdulla Yameen’s three-year administration has prompted fears of an “authoritarian reversal.”
28 Feb 2017, 09:00
President launches US$400m airport runway project
President Abdulla Yameen launched Monday morning a US$400 million project awarded to China’s Beijing Urban Construction Group to build a new runway at the Velana International Airport.
27 Feb 2017, 09:00
Raajje TV cameraman fined US$195 for obstructing police
Following the guilty verdicts and US$1,800 fines handed to Raajje TV journalists Mohamed Wisam and Leevan Ali Nasir last month, Adam Zareer becomes only the third journalist to be convicted in the Maldives in more than a decade.
27 Feb 2017, 09:00
Two police officers sacked over nude video and photos
A police staff serjeant, who was in charge of the Laamu Gan police station, was fired on Thursday. According to local media, the officer sent a nude video of himself during a video chat with a school girl, an offence that carries a jail term of between seven to ten years.
27 Feb 2017, 09:00
Police unable to protect Maldives’ oldest cemetery from vandalism
The police have decided to appeal a magistrate court order to protect a 900-year-old cemetery in the Meedhoo ward of Addu City after ancient tombstones were vandalised.
26 Feb 2017, 09:00
Judiciary denies closing high court northern branch after transferring staff to Malé
The department of judicial administration insisted that the northern branch on the island of Kulhudhufushi has not been shut down due to budget constraints. The judiciary was mandated to set up the branch by legal changes approved more than two years ago.
26 Feb 2017, 09:00
Top lawyers resign amid ‘discontent’ in chief prosecutor’s office
Following the resignation of two top prosecutors, sources from the Prosecutor General’s office have alleged that Bisham’s “abrasive” demeanour and short temper have contributed to growing discontent among her staff.
26 Feb 2017, 09:00
First they came for Faafu
Is the opposition to the imminent Saudi-funded “mega project” in Faafu atoll principled, strong and united enough? asks Azra Naseem.
26 Feb 2017, 09:00
Police accused of seeking false testimony to arrest Gayoom
Zaidul Ameen, a Malé city councillor under arrest on a blackmailing charge, has accused a senior police officer of threatening to keep him in custody until he gives false testimony that could be used to arrest former President Gayoom.
25 Feb 2017, 09:00
Judicial watchdog backs supreme court’s sacking of judge
The Judicial Service Commission decided at a meeting on Monday that it does not have to take further action since the constitution declares the supreme court to be “the final authority” on all matters dealt with by a court of law.
25 Feb 2017, 09:00
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