HDC unveiled a revised Hulhumalé development masterplan, featuring an expanded port area, more connection points between phases one and two, and infrastructure for a planned financial hub. A 3D model and HDC's new website were also launched during the inauguration ceremony. The new plan was designed to accommodate 300,000 people and develop Hulhumalé as a financial centre within Greater Malé, the president said.
A month after his arrest, police sought charges against Raudh Ahmed Zilal, a 21-year-old man who was with Hawwa Yumn Rasheed before her unexplained fall from a nine-storey building. The case was forwarded for prosecution on Saturday. But the charges were not disclosed. Raudh was initially remanded on charges of drug abuse and failure to assist a person in need, according to the criminal court’s first detention order.
President Muizzu appointed former president Dr Mohamed Waheed as a special envoy “to utilise his extensive experience to advance the Maldives’ diplomatic interests.”
Former president Yameen’s money laundering and bribery trial resumed with a defence witness backing his alibi of exchanging local currency for US$ 1 million. Yameen is accused of accepting the dollars as a bribe to lease Raa Fuggiri island for resort development. Abdulla Rasheed, former head of external affairs at the presidential residence, testified to carrying MVR 17 million in cash (344 bundles of MVR 50,000) from Yameen to Sun resorts owner Ahmed Siyam Mohamed. The witness could not remember the exact date but told the court that the transaction occurred in mid-2016.
A complaint was filed against High Court Judge Mohamed Saleem – one of a dozen candidates for two vacancies on the Supreme Court – for criticising the state broadcaster during an appeal hearing. The case involved a lower court order for PSM to pay MVR 4.5 million (US$ 291,800) to local contractor Artisan for construction work completed in 2018.
Minicoy islanders protested against plans to stop teaching Dhivehi in schools.
The second meeting of the India-Maldives High-Level Core Group took place in New Delhi during Foreign Minister Khaleel's official visit to India.
The Met office warned of strong winds and rough seas for five days, advising seafarers to be cautious.
The Island Institute of Tertiary Education and the Maldives Institute of Technology were enlisted to provide free certified training to more than 600 young people, as part of a World Bank-funded initiative to “to boost youth employability, close skills gaps, promote gender equity and reduce reliance on foreign labour.”
President Muizzu inaugurated the Makkah Route Initiative, which allows Maldivian pilgrims to complete immigration procedures prior to departure and proceed directly to their hotel upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. The president and first lady presented passports to the first pilgrims to undergo clearance. A dedicated Hajj clinic has also been established for Maldivian pilgrims and the monthly foreign transaction limit on debit cards has been raised from US$ 250 to US$ 1,750, the president announced.