News in brief: Dhoonidhoo’s ‘Alcatraz’ demolished

A notorious cell block of the police custodial centre on Dhoonidhoo island known as Alcatraz was shut down on Tuesday, with Home Minister Sheikh Imran Abdulla and Police Commissioner Mohamed Hameed taking up tools to start the demolition work.

The closure of several cell blocks was advised by a presidential commission that audited jails and recommended sweeping prison reforms. The ‘Alcatraz’ cells were alleged to have been used to torture detainees during former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s 30-year reign.

Both Gayoom and Sheikh Imran were among opposition leaders who were incarcerated in Dhoonidhoo during the previous administration.

State-owned company accused of corruption under audit

The Auditor General’s office has started auditing a state-owned enterprise that has been accused of corruption, a spokesman told the press on Tuesday.

The Greater Malé Industrial Zone Limited, mandated with developing the Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu industrial islands near the capital, is also facing parliamentary scrutiny concerning the removal of a cargo ship docked at Thilafushi and a contract awarded to build chemical storage warehouses.

Appearing at the state-owned enterprises oversight committee earlier this week, GMIZL board members accused Managing Director Ibrahim Rasheed of making major executive decisions without consulting the board.

Lawmakers oppose new phone allowance for magistrate judges

Members of parliament’s public accounts committee on Tuesday argued against authorising an MVR500 (US$32) phone allowance to magistrates of island courts.

The Judicial Service Commission proposed the allowance to normalise pay and benefits as superior court judges receive a phone allowance of MVR1,000. But most lawmakers on the oversight committee were inclined to deny the request and also discussed cutting phone allowances for all public officials, including ministers and members of independent institutions who are presently paid a phone allowance from the state budget.

Today on Twitter

MP, speaker of the people’s majlis @MohamedNasheed visits @fannuexpo 2019. pic.twitter.com/9J43iUGdxQ

— Fannuexpo (@fannuexpo) November 26, 2019

President @ibusolih visiting our stall at @fannuexpo this evening.#supportsupportivewomen 🇲🇻💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/zTJgLXTSlH

— Maldives Women's Association (@MVWomensAssn) November 26, 2019

H.E President @ibusolih and First lady visits the national arts and crafts exhibition ‘Fannu Expo 2019' pic.twitter.com/yOnPLp9382

— Economy & Trade (@MoEDmv) November 26, 2019

Our Product Development and Innovation Manager – Shooza joins the @fannuexpo Business Hub Panel discussion. The panel discussion topic for tonight is "Scaling Female Entrepreneurship in Maldives". pic.twitter.com/7ASvHiFrt4

— Dhiraagu (@Dhiraagu) November 26, 2019

How can we get more women to work? We asked @WobMaldives @womenintechmv & others, for our Systematic Country Diagnostic. They helped us identify socio-economic barriers & ways to encourage women to participate in the workforce. Share your ideas with us: https://t.co/T9FycireXB pic.twitter.com/4wZw49Doq6

— World Bank Maldives (@WBMaldives) November 24, 2019

According to the study “Women’s Health and Life Experiences” 1 in 3 women aged 15 – 49 reported experiencing at least one form of physical or sexual violence or both during their lifetime.

Read more:Women’s health and life experience (2007) https://t.co/fgWr9sUgJQ pic.twitter.com/Zj6LmkC6l1

— Family Protection Authority (@fpa_maldives) November 26, 2019

A high-level meeting of the National Coordination Committee for Countering Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism was held at MMA today. pic.twitter.com/eLgLASsadf

— MMA (@MMA_Maldives) November 26, 2019

Met with Minister @MariyaDidi to continue cooperation strengthened during her recent visit to #Australia.

Good to work with Indian Ocean neighbours with shared interests. 🇲🇻 🌏 🇦🇺 https://t.co/BzVNm2BLpu

— Australia in Sri Lanka and Maldives (@AusHCSriLanka) November 26, 2019

Minister Dr Ibrahim Hassan attends the @AustraliaAwards Predeparture Briefing Workshop to congratulate & bid farewell to the departing recipients, & acknowledged the contribution of the Govt. of Australia in empowering the future leaders of the Maldives.@AusHCSriLanka pic.twitter.com/zcwi66pTHO

— Ministry of Higher Education (@MoHEmv) November 26, 2019

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, H.E. Kohona Walawwe Nimal Dharmakeerthi Karunaratne and some of the Sri Lankan Professionals working in the #Maldives calls on Hon. President @MohamedNasheed, MP Speaker of the People’s Majlis. pic.twitter.com/YaEh5NK3NX

— People's Majlis (@mvpeoplesmajlis) November 26, 2019

It was a pleasure to have a constructive discussion with H.E. Ms. Alaina Teplitz @USAmbSLM, the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka & Maldives, today. My sincere gratitude to the Government of U.S., for the continuous support. https://t.co/8NmS7nqXuV pic.twitter.com/FaE1tg2zIl

— Mohamed (Hanafy) (@hanafymv) November 26, 2019

Public message: Doctors at IGMH urge people not to put buruga pins in the mouth for any reason. Increasing number of buruga pin accidents have been happening in the Maldives. #IGMH@HPA_MV @MoHmv pic.twitter.com/cxMUgUVhVn

— IGMH (@igmhmv) November 26, 2019

At the opening ceremony of the meeting, UNICEF Maldives Rep.@Munir_Safieldin highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date Civil Registration & Vital Statistics (CRVS) in ensuring that no child is left behind in the realization of children's rights & in achieving the #SDGs

— UNICEF Maldives (@UNICEFMaldives) November 26, 2019

Chief Statistician of NBS Maldives, Ms. Aishath Shahuda chairs the session given for Maldives on “Civil Registrstion law” at the 2nd meeting of the Civil Registration professionals of South Asia at Kurumba Maldives. @UNICEFMaldives @MoNPImv pic.twitter.com/QRz77gvC6o

— Statistics Maldives (@statsmaldives) November 26, 2019

Back in #Maldives to talk about ways to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure inclusive economic development – that’s how we promote peace and prosperity for all. What a productive year it’s been for the Solih Administration! https://t.co/8ZqiplSqLS

— Ambassador Teplitz (@USAmbSLM) November 26, 2019

Sharing a video of the ‘Coaching the umpires’ programme conducted by BCCI in Malè for budding cricket Maldivian umpires. Concluded last Sunday. pic.twitter.com/O3ewcNmH2K

— India in Maldives (@EoIMaldives) November 26, 2019