Police sought to designate a local group as an organised criminal gang for the first time under the Gang Crimes Act ratified in May. A case has been submitted to the Prosecutor General's Office, which will seek a High Court order for the formal designation, Superintendent Ishaq Adam, head of the Gang Crimes Enforcement Department, revealed at a press briefing. It comes after President Muizzu claimed last month that there were no groups that met the criteria for designation as all former members "have now stopped it" and "gone to a normal life." But according to police, since the law came into force in August, allowing special enforcement powers to be exercised against such groups or associated individuals, 11 individuals have been arrested and charges have been raised in two cases. Six locations were searched and seven cases remain under investigation with two suspects in custody. The number of reported gang-related crimes has declined significantly since August, police said.
Police expressed serious concern over rising juvenile delinquency, particularly in Hulhumalé Phase 2, with officers attending to child-related cases daily. A list of over 300 children involved in criminal activity across the Greater Malé area has been compiled, Superintendent Mohamed Shareef from the Crime Against Children Department said. Police are working with guardians and 71 children are currently participating in rehabilitation programs at seven locations nationwide under the juvenile court's oversight.
President Muizzu issued a decree for the people of Haa Dhaal Hirimaradhoo to vote for the Hanimaadhoo island council in April's election ahead of their planned resettlement next year. The decree enables the Elections Commission to prepare the voters' registry accordingly during the resettlement process. MDP Chairman Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, MP for Hanimaadhoo, condemned the move as an attempt to unduly influence the local council elections. The president lacks the legal authority to declare resettlement before housing could even be built, the four-term lawmaker contended.
The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission determined that 41 of 57 applicants qualify for financial assistance to private media outlets from MVR 28 million (US$1.8 million) allocated from the 2025 budget for the media grants. Points were awarded based on operational duration, staff numbers, business plans, content variety, employee qualifications, and administrative standards, with details published on the Media App portal. The commission relaxed previous requirements, allowing media outlets operating since January 2024 to apply after 18 outlets were previously approved under the information ministry's assessment. The ministry will have no role in disbursing the funds, Minister Ibrahim Waheed 'Asward' told the press.
Special measures pledged by President Muizzu to support small and medium-sized businesses include establishing low-cost warehouse and storage facilities at commercial harbours across the country, the economic ministry announced, as WAMCO reduced garbage disposal fees for small businesses with effect from February.
Take-home pay for Malé City Council staff significantly decreased under the new structure approved by the Pay Commission, Mayor Adam Azim said, citing salaries deposited this week for December.
Renowned local film director Abdul Fathaah passed away at the age of 54 after suffering a stroke. Out of 4,633 people who suffered strokes over the past four years, about 500 cases were fatal, IGMH told Mihaaru in response to a right to information request.
A land plot in Hulhumalé was handed over to the China Harbour Engineering Company to develop a green nursery under the government's five million trees initiative.
New Year celebrations kicked off with a children's evening in Hulhumalé. Other activities include a drone show and fireworks on Wednesday night. A three-day food festival opened at the Central Park on Tuesday night. A police security operation is meanwhile underway for the school holidays and New Year period.
The Civil Service Commission amended regulations to suspend retirement pensions for civil servants who accept government positions or state company jobs after retiring. Pensions will resume after they return to retirement and notify the Pension Office.
Izam Zahir was sentenced to 15 years in prison on rape charges. The 25-year-old man from Gaaf Dhaalu Vaadhoo had surrendered to police on Saturday after evading arrest since July 2024.
Six Nepali nationals arrested after police raided a café and residence in Malé and found alcohol in 21 bottles of 500 millilitres each were handed over to Immigration for deportation.
The criminal court fined Mohamed Azmeen MVR 49,000 (US$3,172) for participating in the failed October 2020 heist at the Root tobacco shop in Malé, where four helmet-wearing men on motorcycles attempted to steal MVR 4.2 million in cash being transported to Bank of Ceylon. Azmeen was convicted of renting a guesthouse room for the perpetrators, preparing the motorcycles with altered license plates, and tracking the cash vehicle. His fingerprint was found on one motorbike. Four other suspects previously received two-year sentences after pleading guilty under plea agreements.
