A Coast Guard ship and police vessel blocked entry to Malé's harbour as fishermen protested at sea on 49 boats that departed from the Hulhumalé jetty. The protest was organised by the Union of Yellowfin Tuna Fishermen on the occasion of Fishermen's Day, asking for negotiations with President Muizzu on their key demand for the government to fulfil its campaign promises for a fair and sustainable purchasing price. The boats remained just outside Malé past midnight as the fishermen vowed to continue the protest. Their demands include MIFCO purchasing yellowfin tuna, minimum prices of MVR 80 to MVR 100 (US$ 5.19 to 6.49) per kilo, a fuel subsidy for fishing boats, and easy access to ice supplies. Despite the president's pledges and extensive consultation, no progress has been made since the current administration took office two years ago, the union said.
In response to the protest, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam announced that construction will begin in January on a yellowfin tuna processing facility in Hulhumalé. STO has arranged subsidised fuel supply in the Malé area following President Muizzu's special directive since last June, Shiyam said, pledging to expand availability at subsidised rates to at least one island in each atoll by March next year. The government is working towards fulfilling promises made to yellowfin tuna fishers, he said.
The finance ministry's representative on the Pension Administration Office's board of directors, Ashraf Rasheed, resigned in protest against investing MVR 2.4 billion (US$ 155.5 million) in government bonds with new money printed by the central bank, Adhadhu reported. Ashraf's departure followed the resignation of board member Ahmed Saruvash Adam and Chief Financial Officer Hawwa Fajuwa.
Ahmed Shakeeb, a longtime presenter on state television, was appointed as the new managing director of Public Service Media, becoming the fourth PSM boss under the current administration following the resignation of Ibrahim Nasreen on November 29. Shakeeb, who recently hosted President Muizzu's special podcast show, retired from a 35-year career in the education sector last July after serving as director general of the Department of Public Examination and later at the National Institute of Education.
The education ministry suspended an Indian teacher following a physical confrontation with a Grade 12 male student at Addu High School. Videos circulating on social media show the teacher attempting to forcibly take a phone from the student, leading to a violent altercation where both struck each other multiple times. The incident, which was filmed by another student in the classroom, is under police investigation.
Visibility in Malé dropped to 7,000 metres as the annual haze descended over the northern parts of the country. Air quality worsens annually in December ahead of the northeast monsoon when dust and smoke drift from the Indian subcontinent as the wind shifts after the southwest monsoon. According to the Met office, visibility previously fell as low as 4,000 metres. On Wednesday morning, the concentration of particulate matter – tiny solid particles and liquid droplets in the air, like dust, soot, smoke, and dirt – reached levels that pose health risks for sensitive groups.
The government has submitted a bill to amend the penal code to criminalise gambling and the operation of gambling establishments to explicitly cover online gambling, President Muizzu announced.
The Elections Commission announced 172 temporary positions for April's local council elections.
