Politics


Adhaalath Party now eligible for state funding
The religious conservative Adhaalath Party has increased its membership to 10,000, defusing fears that it may not receive funds from the state budget next year.
22 Nov 2015, 09:00


Maldives foreign minister in India amidst continuing scrutiny
The two day visit comes ahead of a crucial Commonwealth heads of government meeting later this month, and follows a joint statement by the Prime Ministers of UK and India, emphasizing the importance of “a stable and inclusive democracy in the Maldives, including an independent judiciary.”
22 Nov 2015, 09:00


Huraa council threatens to quit PPM over 2016 budget
All five council members of Kaafu Atoll Huraa have threatened to quit the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives over lack of development funds for the island in the 2016 state budget.
22 Nov 2015, 09:00


Saudi Arabia to help maintain Maldives religious unity
Saudi Arabia and the Maldives signed an MOU today to enhance ties in Islamic affairs, including maintaining religious unity, and training Imams and religious scholars.
19 Nov 2015, 09:00


MDP hopes to exploit Yameen’s shaky hold on power on Nov 27
The MDP is hoping to capitalize on the government’s apparent shaky grip on power with a prolonged mass protest on November 27.
19 Nov 2015, 09:00


President nominates his lawyer as new Prosecutor General
Ibrahim Muaz Ali, the president’s spokesperson, said in a tweet today that Aishath Bisham was the only the only candidate who applied when the president’s office invited applications last week.
18 Nov 2015, 09:00


MPs ‘threatened’ before vote on vice president’s impeachment
Ruling party MP Mohamed Musthafa has accused the leader of the government-aligned Maldives Development Alliance, MP Ahmed ‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam of threatening to have MPs who did not vote to impeach the former vice president prosecuted on terrorism charges.
18 Nov 2015, 09:00


Tourism tycoon MP labels opposition ‘terrorists’ over boycott call
In a tirade on the People’s Majlis floor yesterday, tourism tycoon and pro-government MP Ahmed ‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam labeled opposition MPs “traitors” and “terrorists” for allegedly calling for a tourism boycott.
18 Nov 2015, 09:00


Government claim of adding 70,000 jobs ridiculed
The government has drawn ridicule on social media after a minister claimed President Abdulla Yameen’s administration had created 70,000 jobs in the first two years of his presidency.
18 Nov 2015, 09:00


Weekly prayer for political prisoners angers Islamic Ministry
The ministry claimed in a statement yesterday that the MDP’s prayer contains ill wishes towards particular people, describing it as a “show off”. Hundreds of opposition supporters have been gathering outside the Islamic centre in Malé every week after Friday prayers since the arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed in February.
17 Nov 2015, 09:00


President sacks commissioner general of customs
President Abdulla Yameen today sacked Commissioner General of Customs Abbas Adil Riza and appointed Maldives Ports Limited CEO Mohamed Junaid to the post.
17 Nov 2015, 09:00


Death chamber, isolation cells, and new jails
The government has earmarked funds in next year’s budget for new jails, a “death chamber” and solitary confinement units at the Maafushi jail, but slashed funding for the human rights watchdog to carry out torture prevention programmes and monitor compliance with international human rights treaties.
17 Nov 2015, 09:00


Two years on – “Blame it on bro”
On its two year anniversary in power, the PPM government is mired in scandal. Yet there is no push for reform among its supporters. Blame was put on ex Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s shoulders, while a purge of his loyalists was suggested to put the government back on track.
17 Nov 2015, 09:00


World Bank blacklisted Chinese company awarded Maldives bridge project
The CCCC Second Harbour Engineering company was sanctioned in 2009 and barred from engaging in any road and bridge projects financed by the World Bank Group until January 2017.
16 Nov 2015, 09:00


Population consolidation keystone of 2016 state budget
As the dispersion of the Maldivian people in 188 islands is an obstacle to economic development, Jihad said the government’s population consolidation policy is to settle 70 percent of the population to Hulhumalé.
16 Nov 2015, 09:00


Lawyers of two more suspects in boat blast suspended
The Supreme Court has suspended the lawyers representing two more suspects in the September 28 explosion on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat.
16 Nov 2015, 09:00


Translation of President Yameen’s Republic Day speech
A translation of President Abdulla Yameen’s speech on the occasion of Republic Day
15 Nov 2015, 09:00


Maldives hires second public relations firm
The government of the Maldives has hired a second public relations firm, London-based BTP Advisers, the Maldives Independent can reveal.
15 Nov 2015, 09:00


All three of former vice president’s lawyers suspended
The Supreme Court has suspended lawyers Hussain Shameem and Ahmed Thalib from appearing in any court while the police barred lawyer Ali Nadheem from meeting impeached Vice President Ahmed Adeeb at the Dhoonidhoo detention centre.
14 Nov 2015, 09:00


Translation of President Yameen’s Oct 25 speech
President Abdulla Yameen’s speech on October 25, the day after his deputy Ahmed Adeeb’s arrest.
14 Nov 2015, 09:00

