Maldives News

Malaysian company awarded US$57.5m project to build five airports

Developing an airport on the northern island of Kulhudhufushi is a campaign pledge of President Abdulla Yameen. But environmentalists have previously warned that it would destroy the island’s environmentally sensitive wetland area.

Saudi Airlines to double flights to Maldives

Saudi Arabia is also funding a grand mosque in Malé that can accommodate 6,000 worshippers. Last week, the housing ministry awarded the US$24 million project to Turkish company Alke-Turmaks.

Fear and frothing in Faafu

In a first-hand account of his ordeal, Hassan Mohamed recounts how he was treated like a suspect at the Nilandhoo police station after he was threatened with violence by the brother-in-law of a ruling party lawmaker.

Import duty hiked for cigarettes and energy drinks

The price of a pack of cigarettes has shot up from MVR48 (US$3.11) to about MVR75 (US$5) after the import duty hike from MVR1.25 to MVR2 per cigarette came into effect. The price of a single cigarette is up from MVR2.50 to about MVR4.

Citywide power outage in Malé disrupts water and telecom services

A city-wide electricity outage in Malé for more than two hours on Sunday afternoon disrupted water and telecommunication services in the capital.

Social media activist released after one year in custody

Ahmed Ashraf’s trial resumed on Wednesday after more than one year. The first hearing was held in February 2016. The charge of issuing threats carries a jail sentence of one year, but the teenage social media celebrity has spent a longer period in detention.

Policeman under investigation over online harassment of 16-year-old girl

A policeman is under investigation over the online sexual harassment of a popular 16-year-old female singer. The officer shared Bathool Ahmed’s photo on Facebook and compared the minor to a Lebanese-American porn star.

PPM backs barring soldiers from voting

Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan contended that the changes are necessary to ensure public confidence in the military, insisting that the party is working “genuinely with honest intentions” for the good of the military.

Gender ministry official on trial for negligence dismissed unfairly, court rules

Ahmed Shuzad, the employee found to have been dismissed unfairly, is among four gender ministry staff presently on trial along with a policeman over negligence in the child’s murder.

MDP warns of ‘creeping colonialism’ by Saudi Arabia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.