President Muizzu issued a decree to hold a public referendum alongside the April 4 local council elections on constitutional amendments to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections concurrently. The changes, which would shorten the term of the current People's Majlis by six months, could only be ratified if it is approved in a public referendum.
In the retrial over the murder of blogger Yameen Rasheed in April 2017 – which was live-streamed on YouTube – the Criminal Court said it would verify the authenticity of a letter purportedly from the key secret witness, who allegedly sought to retract testimony that led to life sentences for Ismail Haisham Rasheed and Ahmed Zihan Ismail. The High Court overturned the convictions in December and sent the case back after finding the Criminal Court had given weight to the witness's testimony without addressing the letter. At Monday's hearing, prosecutors admitted they had taken no steps to verify the letter, saying they only learned of its existence from the original judgment. Presiding Judge Ibrahim Ihusan scheduled a hearing for February 26 and said the case must be resolved swiftly.
The Met office warned of worsening haze conditions across the northern and central atolls, with visibility dropping below three kilometres on Monday, advising seafarers and people spending long periods outdoors to take precautionary measures. The haze was forecast to persist over the next five days. The AQI index for Malé was above 150 at 8am on Tuesday, which is classified as "Unhealthy" and entails "increased likelihood of adverse effects and aggravation to the heart and lungs among the general public." Long-term effects of prolonged exposure to polluted air include respiratory illnesses such as COPD, impairment of lung development in children, some types of cancer, complications during pregnancy, and heart diseases and stroke, the Health Protection Agency explained.
Trans Maldivian Airways said it recorded the "highest single-day operational volume" on Saturday, carrying more than 7,000 passengers on over 800 flights across its seaplane network. The milestone came on the same day a new single-day tourist arrivals record was set with 11,136 visitors. It was the third time the record was broken this month.
At a meeting with residents of Sinamalé and Malé Hiyaa flats, President Muizzu pledged a special allowance of MVR 100,000 (US$ 6,485) to settle penalties incurred for overdue rent payments, "taking into account the prolonged failure to address structural issues and deterioration of the buildings." Outstanding fines less than MVR 100,000 will be fully waived with the balance deposited to the resident's account, according to the President's Office.
Amendments proposed to allow early access to pension savings to cover medical treatment for life-threatening illnesses, housing down payments and Hajj reservations for retirees over 65 would not undermine the fund, Pension Office Chief Legal Officer Abdullah Fikry told parliament's Independent Institutions Committee. The changes were consistent with the fund's core purpose, he said, but housing withdrawals must be repaid before retirement age.
A section of Malé's outer ring road, stretching from Chaandhanee Magu to the North Harbour, was reopened after expansion to four lanes. The busy section near the local market was converted to a two-way street. Ministers marked the reopening with a tree-planting event, with the government saying the upgraded road will help ease traffic congestion.
A 60-year-old Maldivian man died after being crushed beneath a pickup truck he was working on near the Hulhumalé cemetery on Sunday morning. The Hulhumalé Hospital confirmed the death, police said, noting that an investigation into the incident is underway.
Fathimath Reema, a 35-year-old woman, was arrested on December 29 on suspicion of grooming, exploiting and sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy, police revealed. The arrest was made through a joint operation by the police’s Family and Child Protection Department and Crime Intelligence Department, and her remand is currently set to expire on February 28. Police said cases involving the grooming, sexual abuse and criminal exploitation of minors – including their use in drug and gang-related offences – are a priority, and that the strictest penalties will be sought against those found guilty.
Former Fenaka managing director Ahmed Saeed, who is serving a four-year prison sentence for abuse of authority, was temporarily transferred to house arrest due to poor health.
Ahmed Naufal, a lawyer at the Prosecutor General’s Office, was removed from his post as director of the Prosecutor General’s Academy after submitting a letter to the President’s Office last week requesting a salary increase. Prosecutors have since begun signing a petition seeking a pay rise and are reportedly discussing the possibility of going on strike, Adhadhu reported.
An ambulance transporting four people injured in a motorbike collision in Addu City was involved in a second crash with a car on Hithadhoo’s main road en route to the hospital. Police said the two-motorbike collision was reported at around 9:40pm on Sunday, with the ambulance crash occurring about 20 minutes later. Police also said neither of the motorbike riders held valid licences, and that the car involved in the ambulance crash has been towed as investigations continue.
Police arrested a 34-year-old Bangladeshi man for selling vaping devices and working in violation of the Immigration Act. The arrest was made during a joint operation by the Galolhu Investigation, Response and Patrol departments, during which officers seized 959 nano sticks, 34 vape flavours and 11 vaping devices.
President Muizzu departed to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new Bangladeshi government and meet the newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
