Maldives This Week: 2 - 9 October 2021

On 7 October, the World Bank, in an economic update it issued for the Maldives, said the economy will recover to pre-pandemic levels in 2023. 

On 7 October, the Maldivian government announced its decision to donate COVID-19 vaccines to both Bangladesh and Nepal, as it has stocks in excess of what was required in the county. 

On 7 October, the Czech Republic opened a consulate office in the Maldives. 

On 6 October, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin on the President of the 76th UNGA Abdulla Shahid.

On 6 October, Abdulla Shahid in his capacity as President of the 76th UN General Assembly, met with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Chief Justice Muthasim Adnan, and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eva Abdulla in separate meetings. The opposition boycotted the meeting with the Deputy Speaker, after stating that it did not believe Shahid could hold the position of UNGA President while being incumbent Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives. President Solih, in his meeting with Shahid, highlighted the Maldives' push for reform at the UN, and wish to expedite such reform during Shahid's tenure. 

On 6 October, the High Court ruled that Maldivian law did not allow to issue a hold on someone's passport after they leave the country. The Court issued the ruling in an appeal filed by the Prosecutor General's Office to hold former Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed's passport. 

On 6 October, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the 'World Majlis,' an event organized as part of the Dubai Expo 2021. 

On 6 October, the President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly Abdulla Shahid arrived in the Maldives on an official visit, on the invitation of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He is also the incumbent Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives. 

On 5 October, Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail appealed to Maldivian businesses, especially major public and private ones, to consider expanding overseas. 

On 5 October, the Minimum Wage Board said, unofficially, that a recommendation has been given to the Minister of Economic Development on a minimum wage. The board reportedly proposed MVR26.4 for lower categories, 33.65 for middle and 42.79 for higher categories. 

On 5 October, the Supreme Court ruled that former President Abdulla Yameen cannot be released on bail, that serving his sentence cannot be deferred, but deferred payment on the USD5 million fine on him. The court is to make a ruling on the appeal before going into recess in 56 days. 

On 4 October, the President's Office announced that it has returned Dhapparu to Filladhoo's jurisdiction, after a public campaign by the Filladhoo community seeking its return. 

On 4 October, the Japanese government provided USD3 million in grants for the purchase of sea ambulances and for staff training.

On 4 October, Transparency Maldives called on the government to disclose the agreements related to the investigations into the MMPRC corruption case. It raised concerns over agreements made with SOF, the intermediary that moved most of the funds embezzled from the MMPRC, not to press charges. 

On 4 October, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer said that the government will terminate project management staff, and install new teams, if there were delays in commencing projects.

On 4 October, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih re-issued the list of organisations designated as terrorists by the Maldives. There are 19 organisations on the list. 

On 4 October, the Supreme Court ruled against holding former Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed's trial online while he remains abroad. The court also instructed the Criminal Court to hold other trials being held through video conference while the defendant is out of the country. 

On 3 October, the Supreme Court overruled the High Court decision to release alleged Islamic State leader in the Maldives Mohamed Ameen. The High Court had dismissed the case on 16 September, claiming that the State had failed to charge him within the duration stated in law. 

On 3 October, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih appointed Samaau Ahmed Najeeb, a former senior state attorney at the Attorney General's Office, as a member of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives. 

On 3 October, the Elections Commission approved the formation of the Ikhlaastheri Party of Maldives. The party had earlier applied to register as the Karishma Party, which had been rejected. 

On 3 October, the Prosecutor General's Office said that Mohamed Inaad, arrested for threats on social media against the High Commission of India, had been released from remand, as there was no evidence he intended to act on his threats. Inaad has been charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act for his threats. 

On 3 October, President Solih declared 3 October as the National Tourism Day. It was the date on which the Maldives' first resort had been opened.