Politics


Ex-home minister seeks defamation charge against PPM MP
MP Ibrahim Falah accused Umar Naseer of corrupt practices during activities held in July 2015 to celebrate 50 years of independence.
05 Apr 2017, 9:00 AM


Gasim faces trial on bribery charge
Gasim has been questioned twice by the police for declaring in a speech that the allied parties would grant tickets for the 2019 parliamentary elections to MPs who vote in favour of last week’s no-confidence motion against the speaker of parliament.
04 Apr 2017, 9:00 AM


PPM MP Saud pledges support to Gayoom
Saud is the second PPM MP to abandon President Yameen since the united opposition coalition sought unsuccessfully to impeach the speaker of parliament and dismantle the previously secure pro-government majority.
03 Apr 2017, 9:00 AM


Government dismisses crackdown on opposition leaders
Dismissing allegations of harassing and intimidating opposition politicians, the government reiterated that the police and judiciary are independent institutions and accused the opposition of pulling “stunts to gain recognition and airtime in the international media.”
03 Apr 2017, 9:00 AM


Gasim summoned to police headquarters for second time
Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim was summoned for questioning for the second time on Sunday afternoon on charges of offering bribes to lawmakers to vote in favour of impeaching the speaker of parliament.
03 Apr 2017, 9:00 AM


No-confidence vote: roundup of reactions
The opposition alliance cried foul and western democracies expressed concern with “irregularities” but the government insisted that the vote was “free, fair, and transparent.”
01 Apr 2017, 9:00 AM


Government calls on parties to re-engage in talks
Fisheries Minister Dr Mohamed Shainee, chairman of the all-party talks and the government’s chief negotiator, told the press on Thursday that invitations have been sent out and urged opposition parties to revive the failed talks.
01 Apr 2017, 9:00 AM


Opposition decries ‘ramped up crackdown’
In the aftermath of Monday’s contentious no-confidence vote, fresh terror charges were raised against former President Nasheed, former President Gayoom was expelled from the party he founded, and former Defence Minister Nazim was abruptly taken back to jail after nearly a year under house arrest.
01 Apr 2017, 9:00 AM


Riyaz, lawmaker and ex-police chief, under investigation for spreading false rumours
“They did this to stop what we are doing in parliament. To intimidate us because of the work we are doing politically,” MP Abdulla Riyaz said.
29 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


Yameen faction expels Gayoom from PPM
The ruling party’s ethics committee has also expelled MP Mohamed Ameeth after he refused to vote against Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed’s no-confidence motion.
28 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


Schools forced shut in Malé as parents keep children at home over flu outbreak
All schools in capital city Malé have been shut once again after parents refused to send their children to school amid widespread panic over a flu outbreak that has claimed six lives
28 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


No-confidence motion defeated – as it happened
Live coverage of on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed. The military security of the parliament has barred the media and civil society organisations from observing the sitting.
27 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


MPs plan to oust Gayoom from PPM leadership
Ibrahim Falah, deputy leader of the PPM parliamentary group, told the press that Gayoom has only been able to remain in the post due to the “love and respect” President Abdulla Yameen bears for his half-brother.
26 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


Majority leader threatens journalist with defamation action
Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan threatened to sue a journalist during a televised press conference on Saturday in response to a question about allegations linking ruling coalition lawmakers to the Maldives’ biggest corruption.
26 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


Former presidents, party leaders unite to ‘restore democracy’
The four political heavyweights resolved to “safeguard civil and political rights abrogated from citizens” and “ensure elections held in the Maldives are free and fair in which candidates of political parties choosing are allowed to contest.”
25 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


Lawyer questioned by police over retweet
Lawyer Nazim Sattar was summoned for questioning at the police headquarters Wednesday over a retweet alleging that the first lady was travelling from Singapore to Malé “with large amounts of cash”.
23 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


Both sides certain of victory ahead of no-confidence vote
Both President Abdulla Yameen and the new alliance formed between ruling party lawmakers loyal to former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and opposition parties are confident of victory in the upcoming no-confidence vote against the parliament’s speaker.
23 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


Police interrogates Mihaaru editor after complaints by judiciary
Echoing the criminal court’s threat of legal action against journalists, the broadcasting regulator has also accused some media outlets of “spreading falsehoods and slander that encourages terrorism, tarnishes the country’s good name internationally, and strains the Maldivian state’s diplomatic relations”.
21 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


First lady stirs controversy with distribution of flu medicine and vaccines
The first lady’s campaign office began distributing masks, medicine and leaflets about influenza in Malé on Thursday and planned to send supplies to islands facing shortages.
20 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


Gasim urges MPs who switched sides to leave ruling party
The return of lawmakers from the Jumhooree Party and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party who switched to the ruling party will “automatically” solve the problems facing the Maldives, JP leader Gasim Ibrahim said.
20 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM

