Politics

Broadcasting regulator fines state media over defamatory content

The broadcasting regulator has slapped a fine of MVR200,000 (US$12,970) on the state-owned Public Service Media over defamatory remarks made by a ruling party lawmaker at a televised press conference in April.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrives in Maldives

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has arrived in the Maldives on a three-day official visit to participate in Independence Day ceremonies as the chief guest.

Military removed MPs upon request, claims parliament secretariat

The military acted upon request to forcibly remove opposition lawmakers from the Majlis building, the parliament secretariat has said, insisting that the unprecedented action Monday afternoon was within legal bounds.

Opposition MPs forced out after soldiers and police storm parliament

Police officers and soldiers in riot gear forcibly dragged out opposition lawmakers from the parliament building and arrested two in dramatic scenes Monday afternoon as protests raged in Malé.

Police warn of crackdown on ‘unlawful’ opposition protest

The police have warned that the opposition alliance will not be allowed to stage an anti-government demonstration in Malé as planned on Monday.

Gayoom attends hearing of Faris’s identity fraud trial

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom attended Sunday morning his son MP Faris Maumoon’s identity fraud trial as opposition lawmakers gathered outside the criminal court in solidarity with their detained colleague.

President sets up commission for asset recovery

President Abdulla Yameen has formed a five-member commission by executive decree to oversee the recovery of state assets flagged as lost or stolen by the Auditor General’s office and the anti-corruption watchdog.

Majlis throws out no-confidence motion

Without four disqualified MPs, the number of signatures on the opposition-led motion falls below 42, the minimum required to submit a no-confidence motion, Deputy Speaker ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik informed lawmakers.

Four ex-PPM MPs stripped of seats

MPs Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, Mohamed Ameeth, Saud Hussain, and Abdul Latheef Mohamed were disqualified after the EC informed parliament of their expulsion from ruling Progressive Party of Maldives

MP Faris Maumoon placed under arrest

The lawmaker’s arrest on a bribery charge comes amid heightened political tension ahead of next week’s no-confidence vote against Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed.

Gasim barred from travelling overseas after hospitalisation

Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim has been barred from travelling overseas after he was hospitalised Sunday afternoon shortly before the first hearing of a fresh trial on bribery charges.

Faris pleads not guilty to identity fraud

MP Faris Maumoon pleaded not guilty on Monday to an identity fraud charge raised over the alleged unauthorised use of the flag and logo of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives.

Anti-defection ruling will not apply retroactively, clarifies Supreme Court

The apex court explained that the ruling “cannot be enforced retrospectively” following confusion and uncertainty over the status of 10 renegade MPs who left the governing Progressive Party of Maldives after signing an opposition-led no-confidence motion against the speaker.

Supreme Court anti-defection ruling: roundup of reactions

The four-party opposition alliance called the ruling “a deliberate and politically motivated attempt by President [Abdulla] Yameen” to thwart the upcoming no-confidence vote against Speaker Maseeh.

Government behind Nasheed’s verdict, Adeeb tells Supreme Court

Adeeb alleged that Nasheed was prosecuted because he was leading a political campaign to free former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim.

MPs will forfeit seat for leaving party, Supreme Court rules

MPs will lose their seats if they either switch parties, leave or is expelled after winning on a political party ticket.

PPM refuses to accept en masse resignation of lawmakers

Ten PPM lawmakers who submitted resignation letters after signing an opposition-led no-confidence motion against the speaker were told that they are under investigation by the party’s ethics committee.

Deputy Speaker ‘Reeko’ Moosa joins PPM

MP Rasheed caught in lie over forged signature

MP Ahmed Rasheed publicly confessed Tuesday to signing a no-confidence motion against the speaker of parliament despite previously alleging that his signature was forged.

PPM backs anti-defection ruling from Supreme Court

Nine MPs have left the Progressive Party of Maldives after the Attorney General sought the anti-defection ruling, dramatically shifting the balance of power in the 85-member house ahead of the July 24 no-confidence vote against the speaker.