The MDP raised the alarm over alleged plans by the Pensions Office to invest MVR 2.5 billion (US$ 162 million) in government treasury bonds after the central bank invests the same amount in the pension fund. The central bank's reserves lack the capacity for such an investment without printing money, former finance minister Ibrahim Ameer contended, warning that the injection of new Rufiyaa into circulation would stoke inflation and exacerbate pressure on the exchange rate.
Six detainees from the MDP’s protest on October 3 were released after 15 days in custody. When they were taken to court at the end of a 15-day remand, the judge ordered their release with the condition of cooperating with the investigation, despite the police seeking to extend detention to a month. They included former MPs Yaugoob Abdulla and Yasir Abdul Latheef as well as Maafushi island council president Hassan Solah.
The local council elections have been scheduled for March 28, Elections Commission President Mohamed Zahid told state media. The commission will need to hire 270 temporary staff to administer the polls, which is estimated to cost up to MVR 80 million. Candidacy forms can be submitted online after January 17, Zahid said.
The Coast Guard recovered the body of a Sri Lankan national who was lost at sea after a landing craft capsized last Wednesday night. He was found dead near the Villa Nautica resort. The crew member was the third casualty from the sinking of the Almark Fiya, a 100-foot landing craft. The bodies of a 38-year-old Maldivian, Ahmed Shifan, and an Indian national were found on Thursday.
An audit uncovered suspected fraud in six lawsuits filed by Centre Enterprises seeking MVR 175 million allegedly owed for equipment and medical consumables supplied to the health ministry between 2006 and 2021. But the company's audited statements for 2008, 2009 and 2010 only showed dues of MVR 11.7 million, the report noted. Case documents included the signature of a former Department of Medical Services official called Aishath Haleem but a person by that name never worked at DMS, the audit found, recommending a forensic analysis and criminal investigation.
Some 255 people re-registered to vote in the October 25 referendum on creating separate island councils for Addu City's Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo and Feydhoo. A total 9,576 people will be eligible to vote across the three islands in the southernmost atoll. Seven ballot boxes will be placed in Malé for Addu voters residing in the capital.
Newspaper Mihaaru hosted a debate on the Addu referendum with former lawmakers and city council members. It came amid growing opposition to the proposed creation of separate councils for Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo and Feydhoo. Former attorney general Hassan Saeed warned voters that splitting the city council that currently administers all six islands in the southernmost atoll could jeopardise collaborative tourism and infrastructure development projects. Former president Nasheed meanwhile proposed granting citizenship to foreign professionals in order to grow Addu's population to 50,000 people.
