MDP welcome, Daud sacking and Qasim condemnation

The MDP national council resolved to "warmly welcome" former president Nasheed and his loyalists from a breakaway faction that created The Democrats. A strong opposition is crucial to preserve democracy and hold the government accountable, the party said. Both the MDP chairman and president welcomed the reconciliation.

President’s Office Undersecretary Daud Ahmed was fired over alleged false testimony to a presidential inquiry commission about attempts to interfere with a police investigation involving his brother.

Tourism magnate Qasim Ibrahim condemned moves by several resorts to pay salaries and service charges in Maldivian Rufiyaa due to new forex rules. Service charges collected in US dollars must be paid out in dollars as mandated by the employment law, the Maamigili MP said.

The Supreme Court overturned a High Court ruling that backed police authority to investigate corruption cases involving money laundering without the participation of the Anti-Corruption Commission. The decision came in former immigration chief Shamaan Waheed's appeal of his indefinite detention. But the apex court backed the High Court's refusal to release him on bail.

Budget savings from the government’s plan to downsize local councils would only be MVR 80 million (US$ 5.1 million) a year, Minority Leader Nazil told the press, calling the amount negligible in light of MVR 35 million spent on decorative lights for Eid. The creation of a local government ministry with 280 political appointees to duplicate the Local Government Authority's mandate has failed to produce any results, MDP MP Ziyad argued.

MTCC shareholders approved a dividend of MVR 2 per share at the state-owned infrastructure developer's annual general meeting.

The Maldives Qualifications Authority advised students against enrolling in Sri Lankan TIVEC institutes such as the Metropolitan College and eSoft following the suspension of all their campuses. Students pursuing higher education overseas need to seek "recognition of the intended programme" to ensure validation of certificates upon graduation, the MQA noted.

Appearing in parliament in response to a question about a sanitation project in Baa Kudarikilu, Infrastructure Minister Muththalib told MPs to call him to check on the progress of development projects. The Kudarikilu project was delayed due to permit issues, but design teams have been deployed, he said.

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed delivered a keynote speech at the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit in Dubai.