Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 116

The High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, His Excellency Uz. Mohamed Thoha presented his Letter of Credence to the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, His Excellency Asif Ali Zardari at a ceremony held on Wednesday at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidency), Islamabad.

During the meeting that followed the ceremony, High Commissioner Mohamed Thoha conveyed greetings and well wishes from President His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the people of the Maldives to the President and the People of Pakistan.

High Commissioner Mohamed Thoha reiterated his commitment to strengthening the long standing brotherly relations between the two nations and expressed gratitude to the President for promptly accommodating the presentation of credentials.

President H.E. Mr. Asif Ali Zardari congratulated High Commissioner Mohamed Thoha on his appointment and gave assurance that his government will fully support the High Commissioner in fulfilling his responsibilities and duties in his capacity as the High Commissioner of Maldives in Pakistan.

The High Commissioner was accompanied by Second Secretaries, Aishath Yasmeen, Ismail Mufeed and Defence Advisor to Pakistan, Colonel Idrees Badeeu of the High Commission of Maldives in Pakistan.

^{SOURCE : Ministry of Foreign Affairs}

The national carrier, Maldivian is to add to its fleet three additional ATR aircrafts in their bid to modernise its fleet. Island Aviation Service Limited (IASL), which runs Maldivian, made theofficial announcement, seeking three ATR 42-600 aircrafts for a lease period of 15 years. Interested parties can submit their proposals before August 29.

The company had published a schedule which shows that the first ATR is expected in December, with the second one to follow in August 2025. The final one is expected to arrive in October 2026.

The first ATR was added to the fleet in May. In the ceremony held to mark the arrival of the aircraft, IASL’s Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas highlighted the progress of the company’s operations, with the assistance of the ATR. It was in this ceremony the Managing Director revealed the company’s plans for expansion.

Currently, Maldivian’s fleet operates with a total of 25 aircrafts. This includes the Airbus A320, four ATR’s, nineDash-8 aircrafts and 11 DHC-6 Twin Otter.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu extended greetings to the President, His Excellency Joko Widodo, on the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.

In his message, President Dr Muizzu extended warm greetings and sincere good wishes to the Government and citizens of Indonesia, from the Maldivian Government and people, as Indonesia celebrates its independence.

Concluding the message, President Dr Muizzu expressed his wishes for the President of Indonesia’s good health and happiness, and for further progress and welfare of the people of Indonesia.

^{SOURCE : The President’s Office}

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has expressed optimism the completion of Hope Island will reduce the number of children within the juvenile justice system. The remarks were made by the Minister during the closing ceremony of the eighth Juvenile Justice Training Programme.

The Hope Island being developed in Vaanee, Dhaalu Atoll, is a rehabilitation initiative aimed at children exposed to crime.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Ihusaan acknowledged the current juvenile justice system has its flaws, which can be exploited by individuals, leading to diminished public confidence. The Minister emphasised the importance of addressing these flaws and taking significant measures to enhance and strengthen the system.

The Minister highlighted financial and human resources as the biggest challenges facing the system. He said the Hope Island would ideally address these issues. MInister Ihusaan added that these services and facilities cannot be made in all islands but, once developed, will address such issues facing each island.

Education and rehabilitation, rather than jailing, would be the focus of Hope Island and similar programmes aimed at juveniles. The priority, he said, would be to deter such juveniles and reunite them with their families.

Minister Ihusaan also spoke on the highly controversial decision to reduce the age of criminal responsibility to 12. He said this was in order to provide the legal impetus to provide the required aid for such juveniles. Organized crime, he added, regularly used minors between the ages of 12-15, exploiting the legal loopholes that decriminalized based on age.

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology initially announced plans to develop a rehabilitation facility for juveniles on May 6.

^{Source: PSM}

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has publicised a list of companies which submit expatriate fees on a regular basis, published as part of their drive to strengthen the sector.

The Ministry released a list of 1,026 employers and individuals whose outstanding fees surpass USD 6,500 on July 24. It includes some major companies and various industry representatives. However, the Ministry acknowledged that 20 employers who regularly submit the fees were also included in the list.

The Ministry explained that the companies were included in the list due to the huge amount of outstanding fees. Despite this, it affirmed that the companies regularly submit the fee payments via the expats’ system. It also revealed that the companies have no outstanding amounts to be paid.

This drive is part of the Ministry’s efforts to curb undocumented migrant workers, their abuse, and the resultant burden on the state.

The companies which regularly submit the fees are:

- Alia Construction Private Limited

- Angiri Resorts Management & Operations Private Limited

- Brennia Maldives Private Limited

- Chicano Investment Private Limited

- East Cost Investment Private Limited

- Gage Private Limited

- Heavy Force Private Limited

- Horizon Fisheries Private Limited

- International Beverages Company Private Limited

- Mahogany Private Limited

- Pest Ex Maldives Private Limited

- Pristine Islands Investment (Maldives) Private Limited

- Red Wave Private Limited

- Renaatus Projects Private Limited - Seagull Group Private Limited

- SK Maldives Private Limited

- The Hawks Private Limited

- Universal Enterprises Private Limited

- Villa Hakatha Private Limited

- Villa Shipping and Trading Company Private Limited

^{SOURCE : PSM}

Fenaka Corporation Limited has once again granted local councils an extension to bring streetlights up to safety standards, outlined by the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA). The new deadline is now February 25, 2025.

Fenaka has inspected streetlights across all the islands to ensure safety, following a tragic incident that took the life of an individual after being electrocuted by an electrical leak from a streetlight in Ungoofaaru island, Raa Atoll.

The inspection revealed that many streetlights did not meet the required safety standards. As such, Fenaka informed the councils that electricity would only be supplied to streetlights that comply with the URA standards. The announcement was made on June 9, with an initial deadline set for June 27 for the councils to replace their streetlights to meet URA standards.

The deadline was then extended to August 21, upon the request of the Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar. The Minister stated that councils would require additional time, as upgrading the streetlights would financially burden the councils. He disclosed that upgrading the streetlights in 144 islands would cost USD5.5 million.

Fenaka stated that the deadline was extended for the third time, as it recognised the challenges councils were facing to upgrade the streetlights. It was additionally granted as the URA extended the period, following the recommendation of government authorities. Fenaka has previously warned councils against cutting off electricity services for streetlights which do not comply with URA standards. This decision was made after thorough discussions held with the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works and the URA, aiming to minimise wasteful expenditures.

^{Source: PSM}

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is seeking contractors to develop three hotels in the Integrated Tourism Zone of Hulhumale’ Phase II. Interested parties now can submit their Expression of Interest (EoI) via email on or before 1400hrs on Augstust 29th.

HDC stated that priority will be given to contractors operating on a land lease model. It stated that if proposals are submitted by multiple parties, the highest evaluated proposal will be selected. The proposal will be evaluated by HDC, focusing on the proposed business model, relevant experience, social responsibility and CSR.

Additionally, HDC has opened the opportunity for contractors to submit EoI’s to establish a dive centre in Hulhumale’ Phase I. HDC stated that the proposal must include the equipments featured in the diving centre, classes and package details as well. Interested parties can submit their EOI via email, on or before August 29, 1400hrs.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has collected double the amount for Zakat al-Mal during July.

The statistics revealed in the financial report for July shows that USD1 million was collected as Zakat al-Mal. This is a remarkable 112 percent increase compared to the USD473,000 collected in July 2023.

Additionally, the statistics indicates that MIRA has collected USD4.3 million up to this date. This is a 13.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, where MIRA collected USD3.8 million. MIRA has been collecting Zakat al-Mal since 2016 while the Ministry of Islamic Affairs continues to collect Zakat al-Fitr.

Zakat al-Mal is a part of the wealth and property that Muslims must pay annually, to help the poor of their community. Zakat is levied on specific assets only, identified by Islamic Law as assets having the potential for growth. Any person who meets the minimum amount of wealth (Nisab) must pay their share of Zakat al-Mal. The current Nisab for Zakat al-Mal is USD607.

The value of gold and silver is considered in determining the Nisab for Zakat. Therefore, the Nisab hinges on alterations to the price of gold and silver in the world market.

^{SOURCE : PSM}