President Muizzu kicked off a four-day tour of Baa atoll. Addressing the island council's concerns in Kamadhoo, the president said it was not necessary to build roads with hard surfaces such as tar or blocks. Sand roads could be maintained with a proper drainage system, he suggested. In Kendhoo, he criticised council members undertaking non-essential "experience" trips abroad to countries such as the UAE, Turkey and Thailand. He urged councils against launching business ventures that offer services provided by the private sector and expressed concern over un-utilised council budgets. In Eydhafushi, he inaugurated the RTL speedboat ferry service in Baa atoll and pledged to develop utility services in reclaimed land. The president opened new ATMs in Kamadhoo, Kudarikilu and Kendhoo.
The police watchdog National Integrity Commission plans to seek criminal charges against the Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen and senior police officials over alleged negligence in investigating the death of a woman in Noonu Holhudhoo, Mihaaru reported.
MPs complained that their salaries are too low and incommensurate to their responsibilities. An allowance of MVR 20,000 was insufficient to cover rent in the Greater Malé area, Thimarafushi MP Riyaz argued.
Parliament’s public accounts committee ordered the authorities to expedite the prosecution of suspects involved in the theft of MVR 28.3 million (US$ 1.8 million) worth of diesel sold to the port operator by Fuel Supply Maldives in 2020. A procurement audit implicated employees of both state-owned companies in the scheme to illegally sell oil in the black market.
The state filed a civil court case seeking MVR 1 million in unpaid fines from former vice president Ahmed Adeeb, who owes the amount as part of a conviction related to the MMPRC corruption scandal.
A court cannot interfere with the duties of institutions unless there is evidence of violations of the law, the civil court ruled after it was asked to halt the appointment of a former deputy minister to the High Court bench.
Government offices and companies owe MVR 661 million in unpaid bills to STELCO, Adhadhu reported, citing anonymous sources.
An overwater villa at the Kuda Rah resort caught on fire. It was controlled with the help of firefighters from neighbouring resorts.
A Spanish man and a local were arrested for allegedly smuggling a large amount of drugs into the country.
A 40-year-old man who sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle and pickup truck collision sought further medical treatment abroad.
The beneficiaries of MVR 14.6 million stolen from the MMPRC have been identified with conclusive evidence, Deputy Speaker Nazim claimed.
