A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed pictured speaking. PHOTO/PRESIDENT’S OFFICE The Maldives-China free trade agreement (FTA) is a pact that would ultimately “sell off” the archipelago to China, claimed main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The remark was made by MDP’s deputy leader Mohamed Shifaz at a rally at MDP’s main hub on Sunday night to object […]
MP Abdulla Riyaz pictured outside the Criminal Court. Opposition Jumhoory Party (JP)’s deputy leader and Kinbidhoo MP Abdullah Riyaz has claimed that the government is defying the Criminal Court’s verdict by barring the party’s leader Qasim Ibrahim from seeking proper medical treatment. Speaking to Mihaaru on Sunday, JP’s deputy leader highlighted how the court had […]
President Abdulla Yameen speaks at PPM ceremony. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED/MIHAARU President Abdulla Yameen on Sunday hit back at opposition criticism regarding the debt amassed by his government, declaring that his administration’s debt would amount to only MVR 1 billion without the “inherited” debt of former president Mohamed Nasheed’s government. Speaking at a ceremony of ruling […]
IMF’s Deputy Division Chief Philippe Karam speaks at press conference at the end of IMF’s annual visit to Maldives. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED/MIHAARU The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over the “volatility” of the Maldives’ economic growth. IMF had released a report on Friday, detailing the views of its Executive Board expressed in October, […]
On 29 November, Abdulla Maseeh Speaker of Parliament called for an emergency sitting, to pass the FTA with China. 1000 page Agreement was sent to the Parliamentary oversight committee on national security affairs within 3 minutes of submission to the floor. The Committee reviews the Agreement took less than 10 minutes behind the close door […]
Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed (C) pictured at a free trade discussion. The Maldives’ government on Wednesday decided to enter the long-discussed free trade pact with China, and submitted the proposal to the parliament for review. The president’s Cabinet ministers made the decision to sign the free trade agreement with China at a meeting held earlier […]
Coir rope making or Roanu Veshun (in Dhivehi) is one of the traditional handicrafts in the Maldives. Maldivians use different parts of the coconut palm to produce items for their daily needs. Coir rope was most importantly used in boats and construction of traditional houses. The coir rope making process is a lengthy process lasting […]
Composite image of Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla (R) and Hanimaadhoo MP Hussain Shahudy. Two more lawmakers, Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla and Hanimaadhoo MP Hussain Shahudy, have been disqualified from Parliament after ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) informed the Elections Commission that the two have been expelled from the party. PPM’s secretary general Abdulla Khaleel […]
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Iwao Horii (R), presents disaster reduction equipment on behalf of the Japanese government to the Maldives, received by state defence minister Mohamed Zuhair. PHOTO/FOREIGN MINISTRY The government of Japan has gifted equipment worth USD 9.9 million (MVR 152 million) for protection against natural disasters to the Maldives. According to the […]