Politics

Maldives prepares to greet Saudi king

The Maldives is preparing for the official visit of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Saturday afternoon with rehearsals for the red-carpet welcoming ceremony at the Republic Square in Malé.

Faris Maumoon questioned by anti-graft watchdog

The Anti-Corruption Commission summoned MP Faris Maumoon for questioning on Tuesday afternoon, drawing accusations of intimidation and harassment ahead of the upcoming no-confidence vote against the speaker of parliament.

As sole candidates, 13 councillors elected without contest

Thirteen councillors have been elected without a contest after the elections commission declared them winners by default in the absence of other contenders.

MDP launches campaign, PPM introduces candidates for Malé city

The opposition MDP officially launched its local council election campaign with simultaneous rallies in the north and south on Thursday night as the ruling party introduced its candidates for the Malé city council.

Police confiscate phones of social media activists

The police have confiscated the phones of Thayyib Shaheem and Shammoon ‘Lucas’ Jaleel , accusing the popular opposition social media activists of “spreading misinformation and sowing discord in society”.

Raajje TV sets up ‘defamation fund’ after hefty fines

The hefty fines were the first punitive action taken under the controversial 2016 defamation law. Failure to pay the fines within 30 days could result in the closure of the station and a jail term of up to six months for the former Raajje TV journalist.

Police orders removal of national flag from Gayoom’s office

The police have ordered the removal of the national flag from former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s office in Malé, citing new regulations that require the home ministry’s permission to hoist the national flag on private premises.

Adeeb’s lawyer slams report of escape attempt

Jailed former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s lawyer has slammed a report in Vnews alleging that his client was transferred to a police custodial centre Wednesday after an attempt to escape from the high-security Maafushi prison.

No intention of buying land in Maldives, asserts Saudi embassy

The Saudi Arabian government has no intention of investing in a mega project or buying an island or atoll in the Maldives, the Saudi embassy has asserted, dismissing the “widely circulated baseless and unfounded allegations”.

Gayoom forced to leave without military bodyguards

The former president’s military bodyguards were prevented from accompanying him on a private visit to India, delaying his flight by an hour after the security personnel were forced to remove their luggage.

Government denies ‘selling off’ atoll to Saudi Arabia

The categorical denial comes after Climate Home reported former President Mohamed Nasheed and foreign policy experts raising the prospect of Saudi Arabia seeking a strategic anchor in the Maldives to secure an oil route to China.

Opposition announces protest against Faafu deal as police crackdown intensifies

After warning that “legal action” will be taken against “demeaning” activities during upcoming official visits, the police have raided the MDP’s meeting hall twice, painted over graffiti on Shaviyani Bileyfahi, and warned against putting up banners against the Faafu deal at the MDP’s campaign launch rally on Haa Alif Dhidhoo.

No-confidence motion filed to remove Speaker Maseeh

Opposition lawmakers have submitted a no-confidence motion to remove Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, posing the first credible challenge to President Abdulla Yameen’s previously unassailable majority in parliament.

Foreign journalists invited by government held up at airport

Three foreign journalists who arrived last Tuesday on an invitation from the government were threatened with deportation for seeking to enter the country without undergoing a mandatory vetting process.

Hefty fines imposed on Raajje TV in first anti-defamation punitive action

The broadcasting regulator has slapped an MVR200,000 (US$13,000) fine on the opposition-aligned Raajje TV and an MVR50,000 (US$3,200) fine on a journalist in the first punitive action taken under the controversial 2016 defamation law.

PPM backs barring soldiers from voting

Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan contended that the changes are necessary to ensure public confidence in the military, insisting that the party is working “genuinely with honest intentions” for the good of the military.

MDP warns of ‘creeping colonialism’ by Saudi Arabia

Police crack down as Faafu protesters demand answers over Saudi-funded project

“What we are saying is we are worried. Half or two-third of our atoll may be sold and people don’t know what’s happening. Is it being sold, is it already sold, is it being leased? Give us that information,” a fishing boat captain involved in organising the protest on Biledhdhoo said.

MDP meeting hall raided over protests planned for Saudi king’s visit

Police officers have also been searching boats in Faafu atoll. A ferry called Endheri was searched in the early hours of Thursday morning and police officers have also been cutting open boxes of goods being brought in by local businesses.

Government wants to bar soldiers from voting

Citing the need to safeguard the army from political influences, Defence Minister Adam Shareef Umar announced plans to amend the Armed Forces Act this year, prompting opposition lawmakers to denounce the move as unconstitutional.