Police arrested a Maldivian man and four Uzbek women on prostitution charges at an apartment in Hulhumalé Phase 2, where officers recovered more than US$19,100 and MVR 18,000 (US$ 1170). The Maldivian man and one of the women, identified as the leaders of the operation, were remanded for 10 days, while the remaining three were remanded for five days.
The transport ministry has suspended the registration of vehicles under the names of expatriates, Minister Mohamed Ameen announced. The temporary suspension was made due to ongoing work to reform land transport laws and regulations to address congestion, Ameen said.
The People’s Majlis approved legal amendments to reduce funding for former presidents’ offices while introducing a monthly allowance of MVR 30,000 (US$ 1950) for former vice presidents who have completed a five-year term. The changes also provide a MVR 75,000 (US$ 4860) monthly allowance for former presidents who have served more than one term. Under the new rules, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom qualifies for the additional allowance, and former Vice President Faisal Naseem is the only one eligible for the vice-presidential benefit.
Sunny Umar, a shareholder of halal tourism company “The Travel Guys,” was arrested at the airport while attempting to board a flight. He had been briefly detained for questioning regarding allegations of sexually assaulting minors upon returning to the country on Monday evening and released, but was later arrested that same night as he tried to leave.
President Muizzu signed into law controversial amendments to the Decentralisation Act that abolish atoll councils. The changes also reduce the size of island councils, allowing three members for islands with fewer than 2,000 residents and five for those with larger populations. Malé City Council will have the same number of members as its parliamentary seats, while Fuvahmulah City Council will have nine members, including the mayor. The amendments further require the president of Women’s Development Committees to be elected by vote rather than selected from among elected members.
A charity telethon organised by the state broadcaster and private media to support Sri Lankans affected by Cyclone Ditwah ended on Monday afternoon, raising MVR 10.8 million (US$ 706,904) and US$ 43,631. Donations came from both government institutions and private companies, including a MVR 2.45 million (US$ 159,216) donation from the police. By Monday evening, the state broadcaster reported that contributions from donation boxes placed across Malé brought the total to US$ 782,300.
Two motorbikes collided on the Malé–Hulhumalé bridge on Monday evening, injuring two men. Police said they were taken to Hulhumalé Hospital in the car of Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan, who was passing by when the accident occurred.
The ruling People’s National Congress opened applications for members seeking to contest the upcoming local council elections on its ticket, introducing a candidate portal for registration. Party primaries are scheduled for 27 December.
The Prosecutor General’s Office filed corruption charges against Ismail Shamoon of M. Fehividhuvaruge and Mariyam Dheena Solih of Maizaan, Hoadhaduge, Gn. Fuvahmulah, for abusing their authority in the procurement of security systems for the state-owned utility company Fenaka Corporation. Dheena, the deputy director of procurement, and Shamoon, head of the ICT department, are accused of improperly awarding a contract to Keiretsu Pvt Ltd to install security cameras across Fenaka branches, a command centre, and a video conferencing system at the head office, and of authorising payments before services were delivered.
President Muizzu praised the ongoing reclamation of Rasmale by the ‘Cristóbal Colón’ one of the world’s largest trailing suction hopper dredgers, saying it has tripled the pace of work on the planned “100% net-zero carbon, smart eco-city” project.
Crown & Champa opened its eleventh resort, Nala Maldives in Lhaviyani Atoll, after rebranding and upgrading the former Innahura Maldives Resort into a five-star property. Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim and Champa Group chairman Mohamed Moosa (Uhchu) attended the inauguration.