A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
A new media regulator proposed by government-sponsored legislation currently before parliament can impose hefty fines and temporarily shut down newspapers and TV stations. After investigating breaches of a new code of ethics, the Maldives Media Commission can order print and online outlets to make corrections, issue warnings, and impose fines of up to MVR100,000 (US$6,485 […]
The administrative arm of the Maldives judiciary has lifted the suspension of eight lawyers who signed a petition calling for judicial reform. The Department of Judicial Administration – which functions under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court – announced Wednesday that the suspension was lifted after the investigation of their cases was completed. The eight lawyers included Moosa Siraj – […]
MP Ibrahim Falah, the deputy parliamentary group leader of the Progressive Party of Maldives, has bought a 1,000 square foot plot of land in Malé for MVR4 million (US$259,403). The civil court certified the transaction on Thursday and transferred ownership of the Alhadheed house in the Maafanu ward of the capital to Falah from its previous […]
Parliament passed Thursday an MVR493 million (US$32 million) supplementary budget to approve unforeseen spending and new revenue-raising measures for the last two months of 2017. More than 60 percent of the proposed extra spending was allocated for the Aasandha health insurance scheme due to the failure to streamline expenses as planned. The supplementary budget was […]
Delays in MP Faris Maumoon’s bribery trial will make it difficult to summon witnesses for hearings, the criminal court heard Thursday. His legal team is seeking to reject evidence, cancel charges and halt proceedings, with lawyer Maumoon Hameed submitting 23 different pre-trial motions. Seven are about rejecting evidence presented against the opposition lawmaker. His legal […]
President Abdulla Yameen underscored Tuesday night his campaign pitch of delivering island infrastructure and pursuing an ambitious development agenda. Speaking at a ruling party rally on the island of Meedhoo, Yameen said the dividing line in Maldivian politics at present is between “development and obstructing development”. “There are two ideologies in the Maldives now, that […]
Maldivian opposition parties are in talks about fielding a ‘unity’ candidate who is not a politician for next year’s election. Spokesman MP Ahmed Mahloof told the Maldives Independent that talks were already ongoing about who could represent the opposition. “I think at the moment we are discussing on the possibility of fielding a unified candidate […]
In a predawn operation Tuesday, riot police removed banners put up by opposition supporters on the island of Maduvvari in Raa atoll ahead of a visit by President Abdulla Yameen. A warrant issued by the Raa Inguraidhoo magistrate court authorised the police to confiscate “banners, loudspeakers and sound systems” on suspicion that people were planning […]
Finance Minister Ahmed Munawar submitted to parliament Tuesday an MVR493 million (US$31.9 million) supplementary budget to approve new spending and revenue plans for the last two months of the year. Guarded by soldiers as opposition lawmakers continued to protest in the chamber, Munawar said spending is expected to exceed projected levels in the 2017 budget and […]