The government is considering spending cuts as part of contingency plans to mitigate the impact of the ongoing war in the Middle East, the ministerial crisis committee told the press. Foreign Minister Khaleel said it would not burden the public, but Finance Minister Zameer declined to specify any measures, dismissing austerity steps taken by other countries as politically motivated. He said some projects may be extended rather than cancelled to manage cash flow, and that privately financed projects including the MVR 4 billion (US$ 259 million) Bank of Maldives housing scheme would continue. Tourist arrivals have fallen 21 percent since the conflict began three weeks ago with Gulf airspace closures cutting off the main transit routes. The war will cost up to US$ 90 million per month in lost revenue and higher costs, Zameer said. But the government has no plans for further retail fuel price increases and is subsidising fuel for fishermen, Malé consumers, and key sectors, he said. A fuel shipment loaded in Singapore will arrive in early April, diversifying supply beyond the usual Omani source, with another Omani shipment due in early April. The government is planning for the war to last at least six months and may need additional multilateral financing, he noted. The opposition says the government's reluctance to cut spending is driven by the April council elections, citing continued hiring at state-owned enterprises.
Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim announced plans for remote working and content creator visas to encourage longer stays, particularly at guesthouses. The government will also legalise spearfishing – banned for 40 years – and introduce big-game fishing, technical diving, halal tourism packages, and superyacht charters to diversify tourism products. Resorts are offering free rebooking for cancellations.
There is no military threat to the Maldives despite reports of Iranian missile strikes on the US-British base at Diego Garcia, Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon said. Iran later denied those reports. The government's policy of denying all parties use of Maldivian airspace for military purposes remains in force, he said.
Plans to fell mature trees on Villimalé to make way for 300 flats under the BML affordable housing project drew public criticism and a campaign by Save Maldives. Residents said the trees are believed to be over a century old and serve as natural flood absorption. Housing Minister Dr Abdulla Muthhalib said the government would cut as few trees as possible. The site, opposite Muhyiddin School, is being fenced off for construction.
Customs seized more than 11kg of drugs at Velana International Airport on Friday, including 5.4kg of cannabis and 6.6kg of hashish oil with a combined street value exceeding MVR 9.6 million. No further details on the suspects were released.
Police are investigating allegations that a military officer sexually abused his stepdaughter over a period of years from childhood. The victim, now 18, reported the abuse from a northern island. Police did not provide further details.
Haa Alif Hoarafushi council invited bids to operate an international school in a council-built building. The island, one of the fastest-developing in the northern atoll since its airport opened, already has a nursery-level international school. International schools outside Malé remain rare.
