Maldives News
Q&A: Rights advocate calls for affirmative action for Maldives women
Shadiya Ibrahim, the UNFPA’s assistant representative hails the Maldives’ ground-breaking Gender Equality Act, but says affirmative action is necessary to bridge the gender gap in political life and the work-place
28 Nov 2016, 09:00
Central bank defends bailing out government with GMR payout
The MMA confirmed to the Maldives Independent that it invested in a US$140 million government-guaranteed bond issued by the Maldives Airports Company Ltd on November 15, two days before the attorney general announced the payment of US$271 million in damages to the Indian infrastructure firm.
27 Nov 2016, 09:00
Police institution not liable for unlawful arrest, high court rules
The ruling came after the police appealed a civil court’s judgment that declared Sabra Noordeen’s arrest unlawful, unwarranted, and an “abuse of power.” The high court overturned the lower court order for the police to apologise in writing and to erase the record of her arrest.
26 Nov 2016, 09:00
Airport development fee to be introduced in 2017
A contentious Airport Development Charge of US$12 for Maldivians and US$25 for foreigners departing from the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport was voted through by the ruling party-dominated parliament Thursday night.
26 Nov 2016, 09:00
Candidates who lose political party primaries barred from contesting in elections
The parliament has revised the political parties law to bar members who lose primaries from contesting elections on the ticket of a different party or as independent candidates.
25 Nov 2016, 09:00
Parliament approves MVR26.7bn budget for 2017
The parliament passed with a 60-vote majority on Thursday the MVR26.7 billion (US$1.7 billion) budget proposed for 2017, approving the government’s spending plans and revenue raising measures without any revisions.
25 Nov 2016, 09:00
Court hears closing arguments in case against Raajje TV journalists
A verdict will be delivered on December 19, the court said. Prosecutors reiterated that Wisam and Leevan had tackled a police officer to prevent him from making an arrest.
24 Nov 2016, 09:00
Man found not guilty in murder of his ‘sorcerer’ grandfather
The criminal court has acquitted the step-grandson of involvement in the January 2012 murder of Ali Hassan ‘Ayyube’, an alleged sorcerer from the island of Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu Atoll.
23 Nov 2016, 09:00
Enforcement of criminal procedures law postponed by six months
The landmark Criminal Procedures Code, approved in April and set to come into force on January 7, will now be enacted in June next year.
22 Nov 2016, 09:00
Parliament rejects proposal to invalidate tagged ballot papers
Ruling coalition lawmakers voted against a proposal to invalidate ballot papers with symbols or markings a day after voting to accept the government-sponsored bill for consideration and sending it to a committee for review.
22 Nov 2016, 09:00
President authorised to constitute religious advisory body
The parliament has granted President Abdulla Yameen the power to appoint members to the Fatwa Majlis, an advisory body that has the final say on religious disputes.
22 Nov 2016, 09:00
Journalist summoned in first criminal inquiry into defamation complaint
A journalist with Mihaaru was questioned over an article in which an opposition official branded three ex MDP members who had called for reforms to the party outsiders.
22 Nov 2016, 09:00
PPM wins legal bid to extend voter registration deadline
The civil court has ordered the elections commission to indefinitely extend the re-registration period for January’s local council elections pending a judgment on the ruling party’s request to delay the polls by two months.
21 Nov 2016, 09:00
Speaker accused of subverting parliamentary rules
Speaker Abdulla Maseeh was once again accused of subverting parliamentary rules to favour the ruling party after he called off votes on key government-sponsored bills on Sunday.
21 Nov 2016, 09:00
Ruling party holds tea party to celebrate reef blasting
Government supporters on the southern island of Meedhoo gathered last Friday to celebrate the controlled destruction of the island’s reef to clear an oceanside channel in spite of environmental concerns.
21 Nov 2016, 09:00
Yameen faction seeks court order to delay council elections
As the party’s database, membership registry, and other important documents are missing, the PPM will face “irreparable damage” if the polls take place as scheduled on January 14, reads the case summary.
20 Nov 2016, 09:00
PPM wants to bar candidates who lose primaries from contesting elections
The amendment to the Political Parties Act states that candidates who fail to secure a political party ticket cannot contest elections independently or on the ticket of another party.
20 Nov 2016, 09:00
Q&A: Faris shares his take on where it all went wrong
Faris Maumoon discusses plans to weaken his uncle, President Abdulla Yameen’s stranglehold on power, and shares his take on where it all went wrong, his father’s legacy and how he came to be involved in politics
20 Nov 2016, 09:00
Central bank takes over dollar sales amid shortage
The move comes after hundreds of Maldivians planning to travel during the school holiday season queued for hours outside the only Bank of Maldives branch in Malé that sold dollars. Eyewitnesses told the Maldives Independent that queue token numbers were sold for up to MVR500 last week.
19 Nov 2016, 09:00
MPs recommend introducing income tax
Amid fierce criticism during the 2017 budget debate of plans to hike import duties and impose new taxes and fees next year, several PPM MPs called on the government to introduce a personal income tax in the Maldives for the first time.
19 Nov 2016, 09:00
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