Opposition supporters and members of the Union of Yellowfin Tuna Fishermen protested outside the criminal court as MDP MP Mauroof Zakir (Matey) – the union's secretary general – and two fishing boat captains were brought to a remand hearing following their arrest during Thursday's protest at sea organised by the union. The court remanded all three into custody for five days. Four expatriates arrested during the protest were handed over to Immigration, police said. Mauroof was released on Saturday night. After the lawmaker was taken to hospital under police custody earlier in the day, police put out a statement condemning "false" or misleading media reports about a sudden surgery. The doctor's visit had been arranged upon request and did not concern any injury sustained during or after Mauroof's arrest, police said.
MDP members protested outside its meeting hall in Malé on Friday night, calling for MP Mauroof's release, and condemning his detention order as unconstitutional and unjustified. The case has been reported to the International Labour Organisation, the party said. As unions representing resort workers and journalists stood in solidarity with the Fishermen's Union, the yellowfin tuna fishers vowed to continue protesting until the fisheries minister meets them to discuss the government's unfulfilled pledges, including MIFCO purchasing yellowfin tuna, minimum prices of MVR 80 to MVR 100 (US$ 5.19 to 6.49) per kilo, a fuel subsidy for fishing boats, and easy access to ice supplies.
MIFCO will buy skipjack tuna at the highest rate of MVR 16 per kg if the catch weighs above one kilogram, down from 1.5kg at present, President Muizzu announced during his visit to Raa Dhuvaafaru on Saturday to take part in Fishermen’s Day celebrations. The policy change came after fishermen complained about the weighing criteria during a meeting in Dhuvaafaru. The president also inaugurated a fuel skid aimed at providing discounted fuel for pole-and-line fishers. The price for fishing boats that sell catch to MIFCO will be MVR 13.90 per litre, down from MVR 14.43 per litre, Muizzu announced. During the visit, the first couple observed a filleting competition and planted coconut palms as part of the government’s five-million-tree initiative.
During his visit to Dhuvaafaru, President Muizzu inaugurated the RTL bus service on the island and launched projects to reclaim land, redevelop the harbour, complete road construction, develop a waste management centre, build a police station, and build an outdoor volleyball court. MTCC was enlisted to carry out of the projects. The Housing Development Corporation was contracted to build 50 housing units.
An MVR 91.9 million (US$ 6 million) contract awarded to China’s Rotime Engineering and Technology to build and repair roads in Hulhumalé was part of a settlement agreement reached after the government cancelled a workers’ accommodation project initiated by the previous administration, the Housing Development Corporation revealed. The housing project had been scrapped in favour of building a sports stadium, and the settlement instead covers the construction of five roads in Hulhumalé Phase 1, one road near the Vinares flats in Phase 2 and the repair of damaged roads in both Phase 1 and 2. Half of the payment is to be made in 2026, with the remainder spread over six years.
The Health Protection Agency released a video explaining how poor air quality affects the human body after IQAir data for Malé showed the concentration of particulate matter – tiny solid particles and liquid droplets in the air, like dust, soot, smoke, and dirt – at levels that pose health risks for sensitive groups. PM2.5 levels of 40 and 35 µg/m³ over the weekend were more than seven times the WHO-recommended limit. The HPA advised the public to closely monitor air quality levels and to take appropriate precautionary measures, such as wearing masks and avoiding outdoor exercise.
The bullying of teachers at the Addu High School is a common occurrence, the Teachers' Association said after a violent altercation between a teacher and a Grade 12 male student last week. The incident occurred due to the failure to take disciplinary action against the student despite repeated instances of bullying, the association said, decrying the suspension of the teacher and the tarnishing of his reputation after videos of the incident went viral on social media.
Police towed a total of 787 vehicles from Hulhumalé, including 252 with licence plates that did not match their designated zones, 186 unregistered vehicles, and 349 left unattended on public roads.
A defence lawyer submitted a complaint against Criminal Court Judge Ali Adam to the Judicial Service Commission after the judge accused defence lawyers of intimidating witnesses.
The home minister and police commissioner opened a new police station in Raa Maakurathu.
