A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
Kulhudhuffushi airport will be completed by the middle of next year, authorities have said, despite the government not yet hiring a contractor to build it. Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer and other ruling party figures were on the remote island Sunday to inaugurate the project, which involves the destruction of mangroves. Building the airport was a […]
A newly hired spin doctor for the Maldivian government has been blasted by opposition activists for defending the “biggest rogue” in the country – President Abdulla Yameen – as well as his for previous work with an African dictator. Celebrated human rights lawyer Jason McCue is a director at Rigel Corporation, which last month issued […]
The former boss of the Maldives’ tourism promotion company pleaded not guilty Saturday to 15 charges related to the country’s largest-ever corruption scandal. Abdulla Ziyath, who managed the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation, is accused of misappropriating US$23 (1h 33m) million (MVR357 million) by leasing 13 uninhabited islands and two lagoons owned by the state. He […]
The easiest way to ‘colonize’ a country is by weakening its economy and forcing it to depend upon another country for its income and livelihood, President Abdulla Yameen has said, even as the Maldives attracts massive overseas investment for mega projects and relies heavily on foreigners for tourism. Yameen was speaking at the capital’s convention […]
The road to the southern sandspit of Kelaa curves through thick vegetation, snaking past the coral stone armoury belonging to the British in the Second World War. The overgrowth hides the remains of the Japanese radar station from the 80s, with the end of the hike opening up to a pristine natural pool. Mohamed Khaji* […]
People making fun of Islam on social media will get house calls from government officials who will educate them about the faith, authorities have said. It was common for Maldivians to use social media to insult or disrespect the country’s official religion, Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Ziyad Bagir said at a news conference, and the […]
Former president Mohamed Nasheed was the target of vituperative speeches at a ruling party rally held to commemorate the failed coup attempt of November 3, 1988. All the speakers at Thursday night’s rally sought to tie Nasheed with the violent attempt by a group of Maldivians and Tamil mercenaries to overthrow former President Maumoon Abdul […]
A key witness in the bribery trial of MP Faris Maumoon has alleged attempts to coerce false testimony against the opposition lawmaker. Ahmed Shafiu, a Jumhooree Party activist, was arrested on July 4, a day after the opposition submitted a no-confidence motion against the parliament speaker. Citing lack of evidence to support alleged bribery of lawmakers, the […]
Families whose homes will be demolished to make way for an airport in Kulhudhuffushi have yet to be told about relocation plans. A list of 18 houses was circulated on social media, but the government has not contacted the residents or told them about a formal plan for relocation and compensation. Speaking to the Maldives […]