Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 120

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihsaan has stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has directed law enforcement agencies to deliver prompt services to the public. This statement comes in the wake of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) arresting a man accused of preparing food using cat meat.

The individual, Arafat Hossain, a 32-year-old Bangladeshi national, was taken into custody, as confirmed by Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Sham’aan Waheed on social media.

In response, Minister Ihsaan reiterated President Dr Muizzu’s expectation that law enforcement agencies act swiftly in serving the public. He also expressed his appreciation to the Maldives Immigration and MPS for their quick response in addressing issues related to illegal foreigners. The Immigration Department is actively monitoring illegal immigrants and taking necessary actions. As part of these efforts, it has launched a special online platform called “Immigration Watch” through the IMUGA portal, allowing individuals to report cases of illegal immigrants, including anonymous submissions. To date, over 300 cases have been reported through the platform.

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Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar has highlighted that positive changes in the decentralisation system can only be achieved through collective effort. He made the remarks during a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Decentralisation.

Speaking to the Committee, Minister Adam Shareef noted the substantial work done to amend the Decentralisation Act. He, however, acknowledged the impact of these procedural changes remains unclear. He also noted public concerns about the need for further amendments to the law.

Additionally, Minister Adam Shareef pointed out that the efforts so far reflect a public desire to use the decentralisation system. He emphasised the importance of good intentions in making these amendments, stressing that while changes in the political landscape occur with shifts in government, no political party has benefited from them.

He said that changes to decentralisation have been driven by emotions rather than practical needs, in some cases. Despite this, he expressed confidence that the ongoing changes would remove party biases and strengthen the overall system.

Referring to specific amendments to the Decentralisation Act, Minister Adam Shareef noted that the powers of atoll councils are currently limited. He also advocated for expanding the services provided by these councils, including offering legal and professional support to local island councils and developing human resources through a structured system.

Furthermore, Minister Adam Shareef noted the government’s significant efforts to improve the management of administrative areas. He praised the Local Government Authority (LGA) for facilitating communication between councils, government ministries, and companies, and resolving conflicts between the public and the councils. He also said that the councils are addressing their concerns regarding government decisions through the Cities Ministry.

The Ministry of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works is currently working to identify further steps to strengthen the decentralisation system. As such, the ministry informed Parliament that it is developing a roadmap to gather public input on these efforts. The Ministry also plans to meet with councils and get opinions, as well as seek insights from individuals who have previously worked in councils or were involved in drafting the original law while in Parliament.

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The Ministry of Health has announced relevant authorities are fully prepared to handle a potential Mpox outbreak. The Ministry revealed that it has coordinated with all necessary agencies and that health workers are on high alert.

In response to the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring Mpox a global public health emergency, the Ministry of Health has been proactively preparing for the possibility of cases being reported in the Maldives. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has launched awareness campaigns targeting health workers, the public, and foreign residents in the country.

Dr Ahmed Ashraf, Director General of Health Services, informed PSM News that the Ministry has established isolation facilities in hospitals and health centers across the islands to ensure readiness for any Mpox cases. Although the WHO has not recommended travel restrictions to curb the outbreak, the Ministry of Health is taking a cautious approach, particularly regarding the reporting of cases from popular tourist markets frequently visited by neighboring countries.

HPA Director of Public Health, Sana Salim, emphasized the importance of maintaining good hygiene while traveling and recommended wearing masks as a preventive measure. She also stressed the need for isolation and prompt medical consultation if symptoms of Mpox appear during travel.

Additionally, Sana announced that efforts are underway to set up a hotline for Mpox cases, allowing individuals to report symptoms and seek guidance from authorities.

According to WHO guidelines, the Maldives is classified as a low to moderate risk country for an Mpox outbreak. However, the Ministry of Health urges continued vigilance as this classification could change with an increase in cases reported from other countries.

Mpox, typically mild but potentially fatal in rare cases, spreads through close contact and is characterized by flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body.

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Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihsaan has confirmed that the Government has no intention of raising fees related to expatriates. The Minister made this announcement during a meeting with stakeholders involved in bringing expatriate workers to the Maldives.

During the meeting, Minister Ihsaan acknowledged that some entities and individuals are struggling to pay the expatriate fees owed to the government. He assured that the Ministry is prepared to work with them to establish a payment structure that allows for fee payment over a 12-month period.

The Minister emphasised the importance of employers complying with laws and regulations to address the issue of undocumented migrants in the country. He reiterated that the government will not increase expatriate fees as part of its efforts to resolve this issue.

Additionally, Minister Ihsaan announced a new initiative by the Homeland Security Ministry, allowing employers to pay some expatriate fees in bulk for multiple months. This option, available through the expat system, offers more flexibility compared to the standard monthly payment schedule.

On July 24, the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology released a list of expatriates whose fees remain unpaid. The list includes 1,026 entities, encompassing businesses and individuals across various sectors, with outstanding fees and fines exceeding USD 6,500. Notably, 123 companies owe more than a million dollars each, with some debts surpassing USD 1.7 million.

The Ministry initially set a deadline of August 12 for payment, which has now been extended to August 31. As part of the Government’s efforts to address illegal immigration and prevent the unauthorized operation of businesses by foreigners, the Parliament has passed an amendment to the Employment Act. This amendment grants relevant Ministries the authority to review work permits for immigrants every 18 months. It stipulates that any new fees established following this review must not exceed 30 percent of existing fees and outlines a special procedure to be followed if fees are to be reduced.

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Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihsaan has stated that the Ministry will provide concessions to facilitate the import of foreign workers if the expatriate fees are paid regularly. The Minister made this announcement during a meeting with stakeholders involved in bringing expatriate workers to the Maldives.

The participants of the meeting raised concerns due to the decision of the government to withhold permits to bring in more expatriates. However, Minister Ihsaan disclosed that the permits to bring in more expatriates were withheld due to the negligence made by many individuals and businesses after hiring foreign workers. The Minister disclosed that 90 percent of individuals and companies who had hired expatriate workers do not pay the fees regularly.

He noted that regular payments need to be made to solve the issues arising due to the increase in unauthorized foreign workers.

The Minister reiterated that permits will be withheld for offenders, while concessions will be granted for those who follow the regulations. He added that the Government is determined to tackle immigration related issues within a three-year period. The government is making strategic efforts to tackle the issue of illegal immigrants in the country and collect information about immigrants to be easily accessed in a single database.

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The Maldives National University (MNU) has concluded its annual Theveli Conference successfully. Speaking to PSM News, MNU’s Dean of Research Dr. Mariyam Shahuneeza Naseer disclosed that a total of 206 research papers covering various fields were presented at the conference, proving the success of Theveli platform at a global scale. Of these, 186 research papers were accepted.

Highlighting that research papers were previously presented from only seven countries, Shahuneeza revealed that this year saw the participation of 14 countries. She noted that some of the papers submitted were of a high quality.

The Theveli Conference is one of the largest conferences organised in the Maldives, with its inaugural conference held in 2017.

The Theveli Conference, initiated by MNU, aims to provide a platform for international researchers to present their findings and share significant information regarding research carried out.

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare has announced plans to launch an agroforestry pilot programme on Kondey Island in Gaafu Alif Atoll.

Agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems, aims to generate environmental, economic, and social benefits. This initiative marks the first introduction of agroforestry practices in the Maldives.

Kondey Island, which covers 118 hectares, has allocated 10,000 acres specifically for agroforestry. Additionally, several land plots on the island have been designated for agricultural use.

Kondey is among the islands identified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu for promoting agricultural activities, as part of the government’s broader objective to transform the agricultural sector into a revenue-generating industry on islands with significant land areas. As the agroforestry programme moves toward its launch, the Government will provide essential information to both the Kondey Island Council and its residents.

The pilot project aims to utilise large islands and implement sustainable agricultural practices, with a focus on plants that require minimal care. In preparation for the programme’s launch, the government is seeking suppliers for the necessary resources, including specific plants, fertilisers, and irrigation equipment. Bidding opportunities will be available starting August 27.

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Governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) Ahmed Munawwar has held comprehensive discussions with the banks operating in the Maldives. The discussions primarily focused on the joint collaborative efforts of the banks to work across various sectors, strengthen the relations between the banks and MMA, while prioritising efforts to develop the financial sector.

The banks which participated in the discussions include Bank of Maldives (BML), Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB), State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Cylon (BoC), Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB), Commercial Bank of Maldives (CBM), Habeeb Bank and Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). Since assuming office, Governor Munawwar he has been working alongside the Ministries, particularly the Ministry of Finance, aiming to improve the economic and financial situation of the country.

MMA expressed confidence that these efforts are yielding positive results and will help overcome the challenges facing the Maldivian financial system. As such, it was announced that the country’s national reserve is expected to see improvements this month, citing positive developments in the nation’s economic and financial situation. During a briefing to the Parliamentary Finance Committee, the Governor noted that the financial sector is a highly diversified part of the economy, contributing 6 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He set a target to double this contribution within five years, emphasising that this goal is achievable through effective human capital development and increased regional investment. He also envisions transforming the Maldives into a financial hub comparable to Singapore.

In an interview with PSM News, MMA revealed that an agreement signed in 2019 between the authority and the Ministry of Finance allowed the central bank to exchange dollars deposited in the Sovereign Development Fund (SDF) for Maldivian Rufiyaa, including the amount in the usable reserve.

However, this arrangement ended in December 2023. MMA now retains the dollars in the SDF without exchanging them, with the fund currently holding an available balance of USD 65 million. It noted that deposits into the SDF are expected to surpass forecasts due to recent measures taken by the government to increase contributions to the fund.

The Central Bank highlighted the anticipated exponential growth of the Maldives’ tourism industry, predicting that this will have a positive impact on the national reserve. Additionally, the government is actively seeking financing from foreign entities to support the foreign exchange needs of the state and state-owned companies. MMA further said that the Bank intends to further their foreign liquidity by facilitating currency swap agreements.

The steps and measures taken by the Government have been lauded by several foreign financial administrative bodies. The entities are optimistic that the financial situation will undoubtedly improve upon the implementation of the government’s reform agenda.

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The funds raised during the Maldivian with Palestine telethon, conducted by Public Service Media (PSM) to support Palestinians in Gaza, have been deposited into the account of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The Ministry of Finance disclosed that the proceeds, totaling USD 1.2 million, were transferred directly to UNRWA through the Ministry of Finance and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). The telethon, held on May 12 at the request of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, garnered significant support from the public, government officials, state ministers, and companies.

Managing Director of PSM Zeena Zahir praised the successful conclusion of the telethon and extended her gratitude to local media and state agencies for their cooperation.

The Maldives has consistently supported the Palestinian people, advocating for their rights and the establishment of an independent state on international platforms. As part of its ongoing efforts, the Maldivian government has decided to increase its annual aid to Palestine via UNRWA from USD 5,000 to USD 50,000.

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The Government has decided to establish a single-number helpline, referred to as the “short code line,” for the public to reach safety and security services during emergencies.

The initiative was submitted by the Ministry of Health to the Social Council of the President’s Office, where it received approval. The Council has tasked the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology with implementing a national helpline, accessible through a single number, to coordinate safety and security services in times of national emergency.

A special meeting involving key stakeholders was held, attended by Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan and Minister of Health Dr Abdulla Khaleel. Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau, senior officials from the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), and other relevant agencies also attended the meeting.

With the introduction of the “shortcode line,” individuals will be able to report emergencies through a dedicated hotline. Upon receiving a call, the appropriate agencies will immediately begin responding. The initiative aims to address the challenges faced by individuals who are unsure of which agency to contact during emergencies. The government has begun discussions and plans to launch the service as soon as possible.

Currently, emergency calls in the Maldives require contacting different agencies through separate numbers. The new “shortcode line” will streamline this process, providing a single point of contact for all emergency situations.

Urban development bill sent to Parliament joint committee for review.

The Urban Development Bill has been sent to Parliament’s Joint Committee for further review. The Joint Committee is comprised of the Committee on National Development and Heritage and the Committee on Decentralisation.

The bill was approved by the parliament with 66 votes in favor, 11 votes against, and one abstention.

The bill was proposed by Vilingili Constituency Member of Parliament Azim Abdul Azeez, who emphasized the current lack of a legal framework governing urban development in the Maldives. He noted that the Urban Development Bill aims to facilitate the provision of basic services in a planned and sustainable manner when developing urban areas.

The proposal was well-received by several parliamentarians, who highlighted the importance of developing urban centers to ensure access to essential services. They cited Male’ City as an example of an urban center developed without a long-term plan, which has led to overcrowding and underserviced citizenry. The Parliamentarians stressed the need for well-planned regional development to avoid similar issues in the future.

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The national airline, Maldivian, has resumed flights to Dhaka, Bangladesh, after temporarily halting operations due to unrest following protests against the former Bangladeshi government.

Although flights to Dhaka have resumed, Maldivian has reduced the number of scheduled flights. Previously, the airline operated two flights per week to Dhaka, but it now offers just one weekly flight.

Bangladesh is one of the few international destinations served by Maldivian. In addition to Dhaka, the airline currently operates international flights to Trivandrum, Cochin, and Bangalore. Maldivian is also working to acquire a wide-body aircraft to expand its range of destinations.

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