Former MACL board member Ibrahim Noordeen broke his silence on his 2024 dismissal, saying he was removed after opposing a directive "from above" to award an MVR 93 million (US$ 6 million) contract to RDC without a competitive tender. He also raised concerns about an attempt to hand the VIA CIP/VIP terminal to Dubai's Jetex on a 25-year deal without an open bid, which he said would have hurt local businesses. He said corruption in state-owned enterprises has reached extreme levels and that the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Privatisation Board have both failed. The late tourism pioneer MU Maniku was forced to resign as MACL chairman after refusing to appoint Mujtaba Latheef as deputy managing director, a person previously dismissed for conduct harmful to the company, Dhauru reported, citing an anonymous source. Mujtaba was subsequently appointed and remains in the role. The disclosures follow the leak of a purported list of 85 political appointees on MACL's payroll as well as the alleged sponsorship of 30 media outlets for MVR 66.2 million annually. The country's main airport operator – the most profitable among state-owned companies – has also been tasked with projects far beyond its aviation mandate, including land reclamation at Rasmalé, Hulhumalé Phase 3, Giraavaru and several islands, building fitness centres on 63 islands under an agreement with the sports ministry, constructing multi-sport complexes in Vilimalé and Hulhumalé, developing the Fonadhoo Sports Complex, and most recently reclaiming two kilometres of land near the Sinamalé Bridge for a racing track. MACL's total debt stands at MVR 13 billion, nine percent of which was borrowed to buy government treasury bills and bonds. In 2024 alone, the company took out US$80 million in loans to purchase T-bills, exceeding its net profit of MVR 1.1 billion.
The national carrier Maldivian increased airfares for foreign travellers following a sharp surge in jet fuel prices driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. One-way domestic flights to the southern cities of Addu and Fuvahmulah will now cost foreigners an additional US$ 33 (US$ 66 for a round trip). Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen said on Sunday that more than 600 flights to the Maldives have been cancelled since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28.
Ismail Asif, one of four suspects arrested over the theft of MVR 4 million from an apartment in Malé last month, had been freed from prison after former President Solih commuted his 10-year sentence, days before the second round of the presidential election, multiple media outlets revealed. Asif was also arrested last year for stabbing his brother. His latest arrest follows allegations that he orchestrated the theft of MVR 4 million from a safe at his brother Ibrahim Ahmed’s (Maniku Seytu) apartment. The family had been performing Umrah at the time, while Asif was staying alone in the apartment when the theft took place.
A 30-year-old Bangladeshi man who fell from the 10th floor of a building in Maafannu on Friday died while receiving treatment at IGMH on Saturday, police told Dhauru.
The Maldives welcomed the British government’s decision to pause the handover of Chagos to Mauritius, which the foreign ministry said presents an opportunity to reopen negotiations over the neighbouring archipelago’s future, maintaining that the Maldives has a “legitimate interest in the future status and governance” of the islands, which includes the US-UK naval base on Diego Garcia.
A house in Kaafu Huraa caught fire at around 1am, police said. No serious injuries were reported, though a woman was treated at the island’s health centre and later transferred to Malé due to psychological distress. Huraa council member Hassan Firash told Mihaaru that the 34-year-old woman had suffered minor burns to her hand and shoulder but was transferred to the capital because the extreme shock of the incident left her unable to speak. He added that the fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, though this can only be confirmed once she is able to communicate. The Disaster Management Authority said the house was completely destroyed in the fire and that humanitarian assistance had been provided to 15 residents.
FlyDubai will operate a series of cargo-in-cabin flights from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai to Velana International Airport in Malé from April 16 to 29, Ace Aviation Services managing director Mohamed Firaq, the airline’s local agent, announced. Firaq said the initiative, the first of its kind by FlyDubai to the Maldives, was launched following discussions initiated by Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed three weeks ago in order to support supply chains amid difficulties in importing essential goods due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Former MP Ali Arif resigned as presidential affairs minister at the President’s Office. Arif is also a cousin of President Muizzu. The departure follows the sacking and resignations of several top officials, including the managing directors of state-owned companies, in the wake of the ruling party's poor performance in the April 4 local council elections and public referendum.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration placed the Maldives under a “Watch” alert for coral bleaching as high sea surface temperatures continue to stress corals. It forecast conditions could escalate to a “Warning” in the central and southern regions within the following eight weeks, with some southern atolls reaching Alert Level 1 within 12 weeks. Local NGO Maldives Resilient Reefs urged the government to suspend dredging and land reclamation, and called on resorts to pause sand pumping and beach replenishment until conditions improve, to reduce further stress on coral reefs.
The housing ministry extended the deadline to apply for flats and land plots under the administration's ‘Housing for All’ scheme until May 31. The deadline was previously set for April 30.
The MDP women’s wing urged the party leadership and all councillors elected on an MDP ticket to appoint female councillors as deputy mayors and vice presidents of city and island councils wherever possible, noting that all mayors and council presidents elected in this month’s council elections are men. Such steps would help set an example for gender equality and strengthen women’s representation in leadership roles, the group advised.
President Muizzu’s “weekly” press conferences will continue in accordance with the “assigned guideline,” spokeswoman Heena Waleed said, quoting the president’s exact remarks in this year’s state-of-the-nation address, where he announced he would meet reporters every Monday between 10:00am and 11:00am, “except on public holidays, during official trips, or in other circumstances that require a change to the schedule."
