Protests continued throughout the day in Fuvahmulah as the southern island remained without water for the third day. The water supply was not restored by Wednesday night despite assurances by the state utility Fenaka Corporation.
The state should have recovered MVR 80 million (US$ 5.1 million) from corruption cases in 2024 alone, the Anti-Corruption Commission told parliament's budget review committee. The commission had ordered MVR 1 billion to be recovered since 2008. The proposed MVR 47.8 million budget for 2026 is insufficient, ACC President Adam Shamil told MPs, requesting MVR 84 million instead to address performance concerns through digitisation, automation and staff training to improve efficiency. Only 123 of 840 cases registered in 2024 were completed.
A private company called Floating Acres is ready to export seaweed cultivated in Baa Fehendhoo, marking the first commercial seaweed export from the Maldives. The eight-month-old venture has been very successful, said Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, who inaugurated the project in February.
Individuals can no longer be registered as members of political parties without their consent, following the introduction of a new electronic membership system through the e-Faas platform this year, the Elections Commission told parliament's independent institutions committee. The EC also ruled out introducing e-voting for future polls.
President Muizzu visited Kaafu Gulhi to mark the completion of reclaiming 10 hectares to expand the small island near Malé. At the ceremony, the infrastructure ministry contracted MTCC to develop the Gulhi harbour. Later in the day, Muizzu inspected progress on land reclamation in the Fushidhiggaru lagoon for the administration's flagship Rasmalé city.
Criminal Court Judge Mohamed Misbah rejected a jurisdictional challenge from former Football Association president Bassam Adeel Jaleel, whose lawyer argued that he could not be prosecuted under Maldivian law over the alleged embezzlement of FIFA funds, which was subject to FIFA's internal disciplinary framework. Neither FIFA nor FAM had authorised an external investigation, he said. But the judge ruled the court has authority to proceed with the case as no treaty grants FIFA diplomatic immunity. Bassam – who is already serving nine years on other counts of embezzlement – faces charges alongside Mohamed Agil, Hassan Waheed, and Amin Construction Pvt Ltd for allegedly using FIFA funds to purchase an Amin Avenue apartment, with the state seeking US$ 1 million in damages and apartment confiscation.
All five fishermen arrested on Friday from a Sri Lankan fishing vessel carrying over 350kg of heroin and methamphetamine were remanded for pre-trial detention. The boat had been located by the MNDF Air Corps after entering Maldivian waters. The suspects, aged 28 to 63, were identified as Sri Lankan nationals Varnakulasuriya Osen Sachintha Fernando, Varnakulasuriya Nishantha Tamel, K.N.I. Peiris, Mihidukulasuriya Andara Amila Navan Livera, and Singapulliage Nimal Ranjith Kisantha Fernando. They did not deny the presence of drugs. The authorities suspect the operation was part of an organised criminal network.
