A referendum is due to take place in Addu City on October 24 or 25 to determine whether separate councils should be created for the islands of Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo, all of which are currently administered by the Addu City Council. The question will be put to voters in the three constituencies after the cabinet approved administrative matters to conduct the referendum. Residents of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo – which are separate from the other interconnected islands of the southernmost atoll – will also decide whether to create a single Hulhumeedhoo council to administer both islands. The government will remain impartial and "fully respect and implement the decision of the people," President Muizzu assured.
The cabinet approved the "National Housing Affordability and Accessibility Project" with key measures including special concessions for developers, a dedicated end-user mortgage scheme, collaboration with financial institutions and purchasing a portion of units from private developers for allocation to eligible beneficiaries. Provisions related to the project are to be incorporated in the new housing bill before parliament.
The High Court issued a stay order sought by Singapore's Chang Hua Construction to halt a civil court case filed by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority in 2022 over unpaid goods and services tax from the US$ 140 million Dharumanvantha Hospital project. The company sought the injunction after the civil court ruled in a separate case filed in 2023 that the Maldives government should bear responsibility for GST payments under the agreement signed in March 2016 to build the 25-storey hospital tower.
Police arrested a 21-year-old speeding motorcyclist in Gaaf Dhaal Thinadhoo who hit and injured a six-year-old boy on Saturday. The suspect had been driving without a license and did not stop after the collision, according to the police. The victim was undergoing treatment at the regional hospital.
The criminal court detained three men arrested for attempting to climb over the fence at the Fuvahmulah airport and attacking a security official on September 28. The suspects were remanded for 15 days.
Contrary to media reports, the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) deployed by police during Friday night's MDP protest was first used in May 2023, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan tweeted, defending the use of the sonic weapon amid mounting criticism and debate on social media. "LRAD systems are currently used by public safety agencies, militaries and law enforcement agencies of over 100 countries for long-range communication, crowd control, border security, maritime safety, and emergency notifications," he said.
The finance ministry sought consultancy services to develop a masterplan for Rasmalé, the current administration's flagship project to develop a zero carbon city after reclaiming the Fushidhiggaru lagoon south of Malé.
Former president Solih declined to respond to questions about pardoning former vice president Adeeb after he was confronted by a Dhauru journalist. Solih continues to face censure over his pardons for Adeeb and former MMPRC boss Abdulla Ziyath just days before leaving office in November 2023. Adeeb and Ziyath had been convicted on multiple corruption charges raised over the theft of US$ 90 million from the MMPRC.
The home ministry extended payment periods for fees and fines owed for employing foreign workers.
