Land use plans have been revised to allocate 4,072 plots in Giraavaru, down from 5,186 awarded by the previous administration, transferring 1,114 plots to Gulhifalhu for better living conditions, Housing Minister Dr Muththalib announced at a press briefing. Reclamation of the Giraavaru lagoon will resume in January after the completion of Hulhumalé Phase 3, after which plots will be allocated via lottery and handed over within six months. Of the recipients of 4,000 social housing flats awarded by the MDP government, more than 450 will be disqualified after failing to meet basic eligibility requirements during the final verification process, he said. But no one lost flats without the opportunity to prove eligibility and meet the 15-year uninterrupted Malé residency requirement, he insisted. Muththalib backed the awarding of free plots exclusively to native residents of Malé under the controversial Binveriya scheme. Land is handed out on other islands as well, he said, but advocated for means-tested distribution, and providing free plots only to those without housing while allowing others to purchase prime locations at market rates. The minister proposed individual income-based rent calculations for social housing units instead of blanket rates, calling the current universal pricing "not the best approach." He also defended recent rent reductions and penalty waivers for the Hiya and Fahi flats in Hulhumalé, citing high non-payment rates and the need to help residents clear debts while generating government revenue.
Some 2,256 applications were submitted for the low-interest housing loan scheme, with 1,329 for "Rahvehi" up to MVR 1 million (US$ 64,725), 586 for "Saharu" up to MVR 3 million, and 341 for "Fahimale" up to MVR 6 million, according to the housing minister. The government-subsidised loans carry a five percent interest rates, down from 10 percent, with 717 applications worth MVR 821 million approved so far.
The criminal court sentenced Hood Mohamed Zahir to 23 years in prison for operating Islamic State media campaigns. Hood, who was arrested in January 2022 with FBI assistance, was convicted of membership in a terrorist organisation (15 years), supporting a terrorist group (five years), and possessing terrorist propaganda materials (three years). He was accused of creating multiple social media accounts to distribute IS content, translated propaganda into various languages, and operating IS news media platforms.
The Velana International Airport served more than 27,000 passengers, a record for a single day with 22,142 passengers at the international terminal and 4,843 at the domestic terminal. The Christmas-New Year period is the peak season for tourism and schools closed last week for a month-long holiday. The airport operator completed the transfer of all major international airlines to the new terminal this week. Tourist arrivals reached 2.2 million on Saturday.
The criminal court sentenced alleged drug kingpin Arshad Khalid to two months in prison for a 2016 burglary at View Constructions office and a further seven months on charges of property damage. Arshad was previously acquitted in 2019, but the High Court ordered a retrial after finding the criminal court failed to properly consider evidence, including matching shoe prints and video analysis. Arshad, who is a key suspect in several major drug trafficking cases, including a 2021 seizure of 119 kg of drugs, previously fled to Dubai to evade arrest.
The Environment Regulatory Authority fined Manta Air MVR 20,000 for installing seaplane platforms at Ifuru without approval of the mandatory environmental impact assessment report.
Two men were arrested over the attempt to smuggle 40kg of hashish oil in chocolate syrup bottles. Mohamed Adil, 57, the owner of the Raas Maldives company that imported the shipment, and Ahmed Ali, 47, the company official designated for cargo clearance, were remanded for five days. The estimated street value of the cannabis extract was MVR 30 million.
The first batch of 346 youth graduated from the Maldives National Service programme at MNDF's Maafillafushi Composite Training Center, completing training that began in October. The 11-week program covered civic education, leadership, Islamic studies, physical training, drill, first aid, and self-defense, with participants from 108 islands achieving a 96 percent certificate pass rate. President Muizzu, who launched the program to build disciplined and service-oriented youth, attended the ceremony alongside defense and education ministers, calling it a more important undertaking than constructing a 50-storey building.
The reclamation of Hulhumalé Phase 3 is 74.6 percent complete, with 47 hectares of land reclaimed using two dredgers, MACL announced. The project proceeded after the government changed the original masterplan and scrapped plans for an international cruise terminal in favour of awarding plots for housing.
President Muizzu renamed the Aviation Security Command, a division under the defence ministry, as the Aviation and Port Security Command. The decision was made “to ensure that the security of all ports is overseen by a single government agency, while also strengthening the systems governing the security of port facilities and international seaports, in accordance with established port security guidelines," the President’s Office said.
Ten-year-old Mariyam Rubyn Muaz advanced to the second round of Sri Lanka's Got Talent after her rendition of Katy Perry's "Roar" impressed all four judges. Judge Stephanie Sirivadena praised her "beautiful, rich, textured voice" during the performance aired on Sirasa TV. Rubyn received the opportunity through the Sri Lankan High Commission and is currently taking vocal classes in Sri Lanka.
