MDP's acting chairman Abdul Ghafoor Moosa refused to resign despite 55 National Council members signing a petition to remove him from the post. Ghafoor defended his dismissal of deputy chairman Ibrahim Waheed and legal director Ahmed Mauroof, saying both had refused to cooperate with his leadership, and insisted he would only leave if removed by a formal council vote. The party secretariat has scheduled a National Council meeting for Monday to vote on the motion. The push to oust him follows a dispute over former President Nasheed not being granted a speaking slot at last Monday's election victory rally, which was marred by physical scuffles and social media quarrels between factions. Nasheed's faction alleged Ghafoor dropped him from the speaking lineup under pressure from former President Solih's camp. Amid the turmoil, MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem announced his candidacy for the permanent chairperson post, calling for a generational shift in the party's leadership.
Dr Salma Rasheed was reinstated as the Maldives' Permanent Representative to UN offices in Geneva, just days after being dismissed following the leak of an audio clip of her sister, PNC MP Asma Rasheed, urging people not to vote for the ruling party. Some media reports suggest she is to be recalled to Malé to a foreign ministry post. Asma's son Mohamed Hussain Shareef 'Mundhu,' who was removed as Maldives Ambassador to the UAE, has not been reinstated. A third family member, Aminath Hussain Shareef, remains in her post as state minister at the fisheries ministry.
Bank of Maldives cut the equity requirement for home construction loans from 20 percent to five percent for projects worth up to MVR 3 million (US$ 1.9 million). An MVR 2 million build now requires MVR 100,000 upfront instead of MVR 400,000. The 20 percent requirement remains for larger projects. BML made a similar reduction for home purchases last year.
HDC handed over a 1.3 million square foot land plot near the Hulhumalé Phase 2 Channel Park area to China's Nantong Xinhua Construction Group for a luxury housing joint venture despite an ongoing Anti-Corruption Commission investigation, Adhadhu reported. In a letter to the ACC obtained by Adhadhu, HDC said halting the project would cause significant losses. The land was handed over just two days before the April 5 elections. Adhadhu's investigation found the Chinese company had prepared all required documentation before HDC even opened its expression of interest process. A public notary signed project documents on December 7, 11 days before the EOI was announced on December 18. HDC gave applicants just six days to submit bids for the large-scale project, and six of nine applicants were disqualified for missing the deadline. The board awarded the project to Nantong less than 24 hours after bids were opened.
The homeland security ministry amended expatriate employment regulations to exempt small and medium enterprises from quota fees on up to 20 quotas, a change expected to benefit more than 30,000 SMEs, according to the ministry. Businesses previously paid MVR 2,000 per quota annually. The change, introduced Wednesday through the Expat System, follows concerns raised by SMEs during a meeting with President Muizzu last December. The exemption will not apply multiple times to businesses sharing the same shareholder, manager, or partner.
A 22-year-old Nepalese man drowned while snorkelling near Vilimalé. Police said he was reported missing at 6:30am and found underwater in the lagoon 25 minutes later. He was taken to Vilimalé Hospital but did not survive.
MIFCO's short-lived canned tuna price hike was based on business realities, after fuel costs more than doubled, but was reversed in the public interest, CEO Farhath Shaheer told Sun. Economic Minister Saeed told the press on Tuesday that the hike was implemented without informing the government. MIFCO has now begun rationing canned tuna to one case per customer due to low stock, and cut head office working hours to 8am to 2pm as a cost-saving measure.
Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said the government's ship bunkering service has earned MVR 730 million (US$47 million) since its launch in September 2024, responding to criticism of the venture. However, the figure falls far short of Saeed's own projection of US$ 400 million a year. Saeed previously said the service earned MVR 112 million in its first year and MVR 282 million by December 2025. He did not explain how MVR 448 million was earned in the last three months alone.
Opposition MP Mohamed Ibrahim complained that 62 parliamentary questions submitted by MDP lawmakers to ministers since December 2024 remain unanswered. In a letter to Speaker Abdul Raheem, the lawmaker said the delays violate the law requiring ministers to respond within 14 days and appear before parliament. The unanswered questions span 11 ministries including defence, finance, housing, economic affairs and foreign affairs. The majority were directed at the minister for construction, housing and infrastructure.
Three judges applied for the position of Chief Judge of the High Court, which was vacated after Justice Hussein Shaheed was appointed to the Supreme Court. The candidates are acting Chief Judge Abdullah Jameel Moosa, Judge Abdul Rauf Ibrahim, and Judge Mohamed Shaneez Abdullah. The Judicial Service Commission has yet to announce an appointment. Applications for the Chief Judge position at the Family Court were also accepted, though the number of applicants has not been disclosed.
Atmosphere Foundation and Moodhu Bulhaa Dive Centre are offering fully funded professional dive training to 10 Maldivians per year, covering internationally recognised certifications, accommodation, meals and insurance. Applicants must be 18 or older and commit to working in the Maldives after completing the course. Applications for the first batch close on April 15.
