Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 184

President accepts Dr Aishath Rameela’s resignation from the position of Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has accepted Dr Aishath Rameela’s resignation from the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare position. She submitted it citing health reasons.

In a press release, the President expressed his sincere gratitude to Dr Aishath Rameela for her support in helping him govern the State effectively, advance the rule of law in the Maldives, and promote the well-being and prosperity of all citizens, even while she was dealing with her illness. He appreciated her honest and astute valuable services to the Government in her capacity as Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare.

The President’s statement also noted that having a diligent, trustworthy, and capable person like Dr Aishath Rameela in the Cabinet brought him great joy, and he is confident that her services will continue to benefit the Maldivian nation.

Concluding the statement, the President offered prayers for Dr Aishath Rameela’s strength and patience to be increased, and for Allah’s abundant mercy to grant her a swift and permanent restoration of health, along with a happier and more prosperous future than today.

Dr Aishath Rameela has previously served as Minister of State for Health and Minister of State for Health and Family. She commenced her service to the Maldivian government in 1990 as a nurse. Over the past 34 years, she has served the Maldivian nation in government and private enterprise sectors. She completed her PhD in Social Sciences in Malaysia in 2010.

Dr Aishath Rameela was sworn in as Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare in President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Government on 17 November 2023, sometime in the evening after he took his official oath as President of the Maldives.

SOURCE : The President’s Office

Foreign Minister Dr Khaleel sends National Day greetings to the Foreign Minister of the UAE

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Dr Abdulla Khaleel has sent a message of felicitations to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on UAE’s National Day.

The Minister expressed immense pleasure in extending warm greetings and heartfelt wishes to His Highness, the Government, and the people of the United Arab Emirates on the joyous occasion of their 53rd National Day. Minister noted that this day symbolises the historic unification of the seven emirates into a single nation, which they described as a testament to its founding leaders’ visionary leadership and unwavering resilience. The Minister remarked that the UAE’s exceptional achievements in progress and innovation continue to inspire countries across the globe.

Furthermore, the Minister emphasised that the Maldives deeply value their enduring friendship with the United Arab Emirates, based on their shared Islamic heritage and solid people-to-people connections. The Minister stated that these bonds have cultivated mutual respect, trust, and fruitful collaboration between the two nations over time.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives wished Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan good health and success, as well as continued prosperity and advancement for the people of the United Arab Emirates. Lastly, the Minister requested Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to accept his assurances of the highest consideration.

SOURCE : Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Unbiased investigations and results important to gain public confidence: Police Commissioner

Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau has emphasised that the public’s complete confidence in police investigations can be achieved by producing results in all cases without bias. He made the remarks during a special interview with PSM News.

Acknowledging the progress made by the police in recent years, the Commissioner noted that many people still harbour doubts about the institution’s ability to handle investigations effectively. He mentioned that he received complaints about this issue even after assuming office.

While highlighting that investigations into severe cases are progressing well, the Commissioner noted that much work still needs to be done to establish public trust and explained that these cases represent only a tiny fraction of those reported to the Maldives Police Service. He added that the institution needs to engage more actively with minor cases.

As part of his efforts to foster public confidence, the Commissioner shared his vision of improving communication between complainants and investigating officers. He said the goal is for each investigating officer (IO) to contact the person associated with a case every 14 days to provide updates on the investigation or the work being done by the police. He noted that this approach offers two fundamental benefits.

He further noted that enhancing the relationship between the police and the public would expedite investigations and ensure that the parties involved are informed about the progress of their cases. Although this practice has been implemented in some areas, the Commissioner noted a shortage of investigating officers.

With recent changes in the law, the demand for investigating officers has increased, which requires them to manage a more significant number of cases simultaneously. To address this challenge, the Commissioner stated that he is actively working to train more investigative officers.

SOURCE : PSM

Significant progress has been made in addressing the issue of illegal immigrants

Immigration Controller General Mohamed Shamaan Waheed reported that recent raids targeted illegal immigration, focusing on businesses operating under Maldivian names and unauthorised household factories. These operations uncovered food production facilities with concerning hygiene standards that were falsely marketing their products as locally made.

In a special interview with PSM News, Shamaan discussed the Government’s efforts over the past year to address illegal immigration. He highlighted the significant progress made, including reforms to the immigration system and the development of specialised software designed to streamline operations and facilitate information sharing between government agencies.

Shamaan also noted the collaboration with enforcement agencies under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology to tackle the issue comprehensively. He revealed that over 5,000 foreign nationals involved in illegal businesses had been deported in the past year. Special inspections are ongoing to identify illegal foreigners, and companies employing them are subject to fines.

In addition to deportations, the government is gathering detailed information on all foreigners working in the Maldives and accelerating the collection of biometric data to identify foreign nationals.

SOURCE : PSM

MPS launches information campaign for Chinese tourists

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has launched an information campaign aimed at Chinese tourists visiting the Maldives during the high tourist season.

The initiative began last Friday and is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Tourism, the Chinese Embassy, and the Tourist Police. Its primary objective is to reduce incidents involving Chinese tourists who visit the country.

As part of the campaign, Chinese tourists arriving at Velana International Airport will be provided with essential safety information regarding water sports, beach activities, and other aspects of their holiday experience in the Maldives. Tourists will be given informational leaflets in Chinese, outlining essential precautions to take while engaging in various beach activities and general guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable stay in the country.

The Ministry of Tourism has also announced its efforts to establish regulations governing water sports and other water-related activities for tourists. In the interim, the Ministry has instructed developing and implementing safety standards until official regulations are finalised.

SOURCE : PSM

MPL announces development of cruise terminals in four key locations

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has announced plans to develop cruise terminals at four strategic locations, which aligns with the company’s master plan.

Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, MPL’s Research and Development Consultant Anil Adam stated that the master plan includes the construction of four cruise terminals. A feasibility study is currently being conducted in collaboration with a consultant from Greece to assess the project’s viability. Anil further stated that the project will proceed after consultations with relevant experts.

The planned terminals will be in Uligan in Haa Alif Atoll, Fonadhoo in Laamu Atoll, and Hithadhoo in Addu City. Additionally, once the commercial port in Thilafushi, Kaafu Atoll is relocated, MPL intends to repurpose the land for tourism development, including constructing a cruise terminal.

MPL announced ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure regarding this project and has taken a concrete step forward by signing an agreement with the Uligan Island Council to develop the terminal on the island.

With the peak tourism season drawing several cruise ship visitors to the Maldives, large vessels are currently docked near Male’ City or anchored outside the lagoons of various islands.

SOURCE : PSM

FDC to develop 13,000 housing units in the Greater Male’ Region

Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) has decided to initiate a development project to build 13,000 housing units in the Greater Male Region. It has entered a framework agreement with three international banks to implement this project.

Speaking to PSM News, Managing Director of FDC Hamdhan Shakeel announced plans to launch additional housing projects to develop social housing units in the Greater Male’ Region. As such, he revealed that a framework agreement was signed with a Sri Lankan company earlier this year to develop 3,000 housing units. He stated that efforts are underway to secure the required finances for the project.

Additionally, Hamdhan disclosed that another framework was signed with two foreign companies to develop 10,000 housing units. He noted that the project will be implemented with loans from various international financial agencies.

While FDC has decided to initiate additional housing projects, it is currently developing 4,000 housing units in Hulhumale’ Phase II, aiming to complete the project within the following year. FDC has submitted outstanding payments for the project, which stood at USD 1.2 million, and is exerting efforts to ensure the project is completed expeditiously.

The housing crisis is a long-pressing social issue in the Maldives. Therefore, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is committed to resolving this issue during his tenure. Aiming to achieve this goal, the largest allocation of the state budget for 2025 was for housing initiatives.

SOURCE : PSM

New airport taxes and fees amendment takes effect

The Airport Taxes and Fees Act amendment, affecting passengers departing from the Maldives, came into effect today.

Under the new regulations, the Airport Development Fee will apply to passengers travelling from Velana International Airport; however, only the departure tax will be levied on passengers departing from international airports in other parts of the country.

The amendment raises airport development taxes and fees for foreign travellers. The cost for economy class passengers will increase from USD 30 to USD 50, while business class fares will rise from USD 50 to USD 120. First-class fares will jump from USD 90 to USD 240, and fees for private jets will increase from USD 120 to USD 480.

These changes are part of the Government’s broader fiscal reform agenda. The Ministry of Finance estimates an overall revenue increase of USD 169 million.

Despite these adjustments, the fees for Maldivian passengers travelling in economy class will remain unchanged. According to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA), 97.8% of passengers who travelled abroad last year were in economy class, while 90.2% of foreign travellers also flew in economy class. In 2023, MIRA collected USD 65.5 million in Airport Development Fees and USD 64.1 million in departure taxes.

SOURCE : PSM

Professional and Career Women’s Awards presented to 27 individuals

Women in Management Maldives, a private organisation dedicated to empowering women, has presented the 2024 Professional and Career Women’s Awards to 27 distinguished individuals. The awarding ceremony was graced by the Minister of Social and Family Development, Dr Aishath Shiham, and the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Maryam Mariya.

The Professional and Career Women’s Awards, an annual event organised by Women in Management Maldives, seeks to recognise and celebrate the significant achievements of women across various sectors while also encouraging further progress. This year, the award was conferred upon 27 women who have demonstrated exceptional success in business and their respective careers.

Zahiyyaa Mohamed from Ukulhas, Alif Alif Atoll, was presented the “Woman of the Year” award during the ceremony. Additionally, Care Society and Dhiraagu were also recognised for their contributions. These awards are intended to open doors to new opportunities and foster economic development.

This marks the sixth edition of the Professional and Career Women’s Awards. Since its inception, over 170 women have been honoured for their outstanding contributions in diverse fields, including banking and finance, hospitality, media, law, logistics, and supply chain management.

SOURCE : PSM

e-Faas online face verification resumes with new service provider

The National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT) has resumed the online face verification service of the National Digital Identity, e-Faas, after temporarily suspending it to change the service provider.

The NCIT originally contracted Sum and Substance Pvt Ltd (SAMSAB) to provide the e-Faas’s online face recognition service; however, the work has been transferred to a new provider, leading to the resumption of the service. The updated face verification service is now available through the e-Faas web platform and is accessible via all commonly used browsers.

The service is now powered by an application from Regular Forensics, a reputable forensics company based in Latvia with 30 years of experience in digital security services. NCIT assures that no citizen’s photo or personal information will be shared with external parties, ensuring privacy and security.

Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology, Dr Mohamed Kinaanath, who oversees NCIT, expressed the agency’s commitment to strengthening the e-Faas system. He emphasised the goal of making e-Faas a trusted system central to expanding digital services in the Maldives. 

He reiterated that prioritising the people’s needs and ensuring their trust would remain central to the agency’s mission.

NCIT aims to ensure that state-provided digital services are accessible only to the rightful requester, reducing the risk of identity theft and fraudulent transactions. Before the introduction of the online face verification service, e-Faas verification was conducted through in-person visits or video calls to designated centres for manual updates.

SOURCE : PSM