The Judicial Service Commission asked parliament to increase retirement benefits for the chief justice, including a monthly living allowance of MVR 70,000 (US$ 4,500) – up from MVR 47,182 at present – along with a lump sum payment of MVR 493,600 instead of MVR 185,000. The JSC proposed calculating the benefits based on the total duration of service to the state instead of the number of years as a judge. The payout was a “deal” for the imminent retirement of Chief Justice Muthasim Adnan, opposition MPs alleged.
The unlicensed GMCE cryptocurrency investment scheme promoted through the Gemcue web application is a pyramid scheme, the Maldives police and Capital Market Development Authority warned, citing confirmation of fraud through collaboration with foreign agencies. Participation is also a criminal offence, the joint statement noted, advising the public against promoting and investing in such schemes.
MPs raised concern over a 30 percent completion rate by the Auditor General’s office last year, which only published 189 out of 621 audits assigned for 2024. Delays in a special audit of Fenaka were causing difficulties in finalising projects to be undertaken with international aid, the environment ministry told lawmakers.
The president decided to celebrate August 30 as National Engineer’s Day, as the “date marks the anniversary of the inauguration of the China–Maldives Friendship Bridge; the largest infrastructure project in Maldivian history.”
Police recovered MVR 640,000 (US$ 41,500) out of MVR 2.91 million lost in 199 scam cases reported between April 28 and May 28. The stolen funds were recovered under a Singapore-led joint operation with seven Asian countries.
Applications opened for startup loans under an MVR 100 million scheme for female entrepreneurs.
HDC unveiled a new strategic plan developed with UNDP assistance. The state-owned developer of Hulhumalé also started issuing notices to collect MVR 728 million owed as unpaid rent. Only 3,219 out of 8,511 social housing units under HDC management regularly pay rent, information obtained by Sun revealed.
Unable to land in Kulhudhuffushi due to heavy rain and strong winds, a Maldivian flight was diverted back to Malé from the northernmost atoll. An additional flight was arranged in the afternoon. Trees were uprooted in Hulhumalé as wind speeds reached 54 miles per hour. The Met office forecasted strong winds, rough seas and scattered showers over the coming days.
The tax authority recovered MVR 3.76 billion owed to the state through stronger enforcement measures last year, including dues clearance, naming and shaming, freezing bank account and lawsuits.
