Flats corruption, electricity bills and MACL bailout

The Anti-Corruption Commission sought graft charges against four officials of the previous government, including former state minister Akram Kamaluddin, who denied abuse of authority to unfairly award flats under the Gedhoruveriya housing scheme. The officials are accused of adding ineligible applicants to the final list of chosen recipients for 4,000 apartments. The criminal court barred Akram from traveling overseas. The opposition MDP condemned the charges as politically motivated and lacking any clear evidence.

Electricity bills for May were higher than the previous month despite reduced tariffs due to discounts provided in April, STELCO said in response to complaints on social media.

The Maldives Airports Company borrowed US$ 80 million to buy government securities, helping to raise finances to cover recurrent expenditures, Dhauru uncovered from an audit where the purpose of the loan was listed as “corporate use.”

HDC contracted Rasheed Carpentry and Construction to complete the unfinished 83-flat “The Gardens” apartments complex in Hulhumalé. The agreement with the original developer, JAAH Construction, was terminated in March over the failure to complete the luxury housing project despite multiple extensions since work began in 2017 and payments were collected from buyers.

A foreign national was stabbed near the Hiya flats in Hulhumalé. The victim was reportedly taken to the hospital on a stretcher. The extent of the injuries was unclear.

MTCC's revenue of MVR 2.1 billion (US$ 136 million) in 2024 was down 33 percent from the previous year, the company's annual report revealed. The state-owned infrastructure developer was not paid for several land reclamation and construction projects.

Japan renewed a US$ 1.3 million scholarship programme for six Maldivian students to pursue masters degrees.

HDC launched the Urban Plaza and urban farming lots under a project supported by the UNDP and Japan. Six plots were reserved for women and three plots were reserved for youth and disabled persons, according to the agriculture minister.

On the occasion of World Bicycle Day, President Muizzu announced that the “government is actively engaged in developing ways to introduce environmentally friendly biking in all the cities of the Maldives.”

A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of serially stealing parked vehicles in Hulhumalé.

WAMCO was contracted to develop sports facilities for police officers in Villimalé, including a futsal pitch and volley court that would also be open for employees of the government's waste management company.