Thousands gathered at Malé’s artificial beach on Friday night for the ruling People’s National Congress rally to mark the Muizzu administration’s two-year anniversary on November 17. The venue was packed and overflowed onto the ring road and Majeedhee Magu. The eastern waterfront and adjoining roads had been closed to traffic from 6pm. The crowd exceeded 13,000 people, President Muizzu claimed, calling it a record turnout for a political rally as lawmakers and ministers posted celebratory photos. But opposition supporters disputed the figure and AI-based estimates from aerial shots put the number at about 5,000.
In an impassioned and wide-ranging speech, Muizzu announced a policy to “immediately deport” any undocumented worker without biometric data collected through the recently-concluded regularisation process, and pledged to cap household electricity bills during Ramadan at MVR 400 (US$ 26) and to introduce an MVR 2,000 monthly allowance for thalassemia patients. He vowed to ensure the equitable development of rural islands and appealed against voting for opposition candidates in the upcoming local council elections.
Former youth and sports minister Ahmed Mahloof formally joined the PNC along with MDP activists, handing over their membership forms to President Muizzu at Friday night's rally. Mahloof defended the move as "returning to my old political ideology," referring to his previous stints as a DRP and PPM lawmaker.
A pink chair was left out on former president Yameen's balcony, overlooking the artificial beach during the PNC rally, a mocking reference to Muizzu's 2023 campaign events featuring an empty chair as a symbol of Yameen's jailing and disqualified candidacy.
Fifty domestic flights were scheduled between Maldivian, Manta Air and Villa Air on Friday as hundreds of government supporters arrived on chartered flights for the PNC rally. Daily domestic flights normally range from 20 to 30. On Thursday, the national airline’s Airbus A330-200 operated to Addu City for the first time. Two chartered flights brought participants to the rally. Scores of people also travelled to Malé on speedboats. The rumoured cost of the chartered flights, transport, accommodation and food was MVR 50 million. According to Independent MP Abdul Rahman, an “unlimited budget” had been allocated for the show of strength.
Ruling party lawmakers submitted constitutional amendments to abolish atoll councils together with the necessary revisions to the Local Council Elections Act and the Decentralisation Act. Other changes include reducing the number of island council members from five to three for Islands with a population of fewer than 2,000 people.
Ruling party MP Ibrahim Shujau proposed amendments to the anti-defection provisions inserted into the constitution in November 2024 to disqualify MPs who cross the floor. Under the proposed changes, MPs who are expelled from their party must face a referendum to retain their seats. They would only be unseated if their constituents decide to vote them out.
Laboratory testing has confirmed that Fuvahmulah’s restored water supply meets WHO health and safety standards, the Food and Drug Authority announced, after the city council urged the public to avoid using piped water until safety could be guaranteed. Residents pushed back against the MFDA’s assurance with photos of cloudy glasses of tap water.
Maldives Monetary Authority Governor Ahmed Munawar confirmed a proposal to purchase MVR 2.4 billion in treasury bonds held by the pension fund. The central bank is reviewing the proposal and is prepared to adjust monetary policy to offset any liquidity pressures arising from the “investment," he said. Appearing before parliament's budget review committee, the governor advised gradually increasing salaries as planned in next year's budget to ease pressure on the exchange rate.
Commissioner General of Taxation Hassan Zareer voiced concern over a proposed MVR 3 million cut to staff salaries in the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority’s 2026 budget. MIRA employees work longer hours than many other state institutions, receive relatively low pay despite the technical nature of their roles, and are barred from outside work – factors that contributed to a 21 percent turnover rate in 2025. The tax authority is struggling to fill 43 vacancies in its approved organisational structure as there are no additional pay incentives to compete with other civil service bodies or the private sector. Staff also face cramped workspaces, with more than 50 employees having to share a single bathroom, Zareer told parliament's budget committee.
The inaugural Maldives Tax Forum took place on Saturday, jointly organised by MIRA and the Institute of Chartered Accounts, and featuring panel discussions on tax administration and legal challenges.
Police revealed the arrest of 16 people in a counter-drug operation carried out across Gaaf Alif and Gaaf Dhaal atolls since early November. Following intelligence reports of attempted drug smuggling by sea, eight suspects were detained in Gaaf Alif Maamendhoo, five in Gaaf Dhaal Vaadhoo, and three in Malé. Officers conducted raids and inspections on 18 homes, a guesthouse, an office, an uninhabited island, two vacant plots, two cars, and five motorbikes. The operation led to the seizure of 12kg of drugs, police said.
First Lady Sajidha Mohamed presented the Reehendi Awards and commemorative brooches to 14 women and one non-profit organisation. The annual awards "celebrate the abilities, perseverance, resilience, and achievements of Maldivian women across a broad range of fields."
The National Social Protection Agency launched five services on the OneGov online platform as part of the government's digitalisation drive.
More than 500 locations across Malé were searched over the weekend by the gang crime suppression department, police said. Statistics shared by police showed 129 “interactions” and foot patrols of 840 minutes. Ten vehicles were inspected and four vehicles were towed.
The BBC explored the legacy of former president Nasheed's famous underwater cabinet meeting in October 2009.
