Maldives this week, 12 – 19 May | Maldives Financial Review

Terror attack targeting Speaker of Parliament

On 12 May, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih state that the attack on Speaker Mohamed Nasheed could not have been carried out by just the three people arrested so far and vowed to investigate the case further to identify those behind the attack.
On 13 May, Speaker Nasheed departed for Germany for additional treatment for injuries he sustained in the 6 May terror attack.
On 13 May, the parliament secretariat issued a statement clarifying that Speaker Nasheed's treatment in Germany was funded through the honorary counsel of the Maldives in Germany, and that all arrangements had been made by the German government.
On 15 May, the Speaker's family shared, photographs showing the extent of his injuries.
On 15 May, the President's Office stated that President Solih has directed a team from the President's Office and the Attorney General's Office to conduct an audit into the intelligence services, to determine intelligence failures in the lead up to the 6 May terror attack.
On 17 May, the Maldivian parliament passed a resolution to conduct a parliamentary inquiry into the 6 May terror attack, including security failures in the lead up to the attack.

Developments on the MMPRC corruption investigation

On 12 May, a joint parliament committee decided to publish its report on the MMPRC corruption case, including a list of names received from the Presidential Commission on Asset Recovery of persons of interest.
Committee recommendations include one to immediately remove those on the list from their current state/government positions.
It also noted that those on the list who were in elected positions could only be removed if they had a conviction against them, and hence called for investigations into their cases to be fast tracked.
On 12 May, President of the Commission on Asset Recovery Ahmed As-ad stated that not all on the list may be criminals, that the list was one on persons of interest, and that further investigations will be required.
On 12 May, Auditor General Hassan Ziyath resigned. His name was on the list of persons of interest published by the parliament. Ziyath's resignation states that remaining in his post while his name was on the list detracted from the integrity of the office he holds.

COVID-19 Updates

On 12 May, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority approved emergency use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine for COVID-19.
On 13 May, the President's Office announced that government offices will be closed until 22 May and services will be provided online.
On 15 May, Director General of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakuru announced that restrictive measures against COVID-19 have been extended for another 14 days.

Maldives' response to Israeli attacks on Palestine

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) said that the Maldivian government will remain steadfast in advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people. He condemned the Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the strictest of terms, and reiterated Maldives' support for a two-state solution.
On 17 May, opposition lawmaker Ahmed Shiyam submitted an emergency motion to parliament condemning Israeli attacks on Palestine and calling for an immediate ban on Israeli tourists visiting the Maldives.

President ratifies higher education, payment system, climate emergency bills

On 16 May, President Solih ratified the Higher Education bill, which defines the legal framework and standards for the provision of higher education in the country.
On 18 May, President Solih ratified the national payment system bill, which provides the legal framework for the development, regulation and management of the Maldives' national payment system.
On 18 May, President Solih ratified the Climate Emergency Act, which introduces the legal framework and guidelines for addressing climate change. It also includes the framework to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Local councils sworn in

On 17 May, local councillors were sworn in. Former minister of housing Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was sworn in as the Malé City Mayor.
President Solih on 17 May, in an address to the public, said that the highest priority of local councils had to be to develop cities and islands in line with the National Development Plan. He also said that the day will be chronicled as the day the country achieved decentralised governance in its true sense.

Maldives this week, 12 – 19 May