Maldives this week: 7-13 February 2022
Last week's key headlines.
On 13 February, Indian Defence Secretary, Dr. Akay Kumar, met with Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi. Kumar is currently on a visit to the Maldives.
On 13 February, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology said that Minister Aminath Shauna has met with the Starlink Market Access Director, Ryan Goodnight, to discuss SpaceX's plans.
On 13 February, the Maldives Police Service launched the use of body-worn cameras for frontline policy. Police in Malé and Addu City will be using the cameras.
On 13 February, the Civil Court issued an order to arrest and present at court the Member of Parliament for Kaashidhoo, Abdulla Jabir, over payments due to MTCC from the DRP. Jabir is the current leader of DRP.
On 13 February, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported 1,030 new COVID-19 cases, from 4,451 samples tested over the previous 24 hour period. There are currently 15,911 active cases in the country.
On 11 February, the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it will be establishing a High Commission in the Maldives.
On 11 February, former President Abdulla Yameen said that Uthuru Thilafalhu is an Indian military base in the Maldives. He said this at an 'India Out' protest walk held inn R. Meedhoo.
On 10 February, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof pleaded not guilty to corruption charges at the hearing held on corruption charges against him on allegations of accepting $33,000 for his vote on a Special Economic Zone bill when he had been a Member of Parliament representing the Progressive Party of Maldives.
On 10 February, former President Abdulla Yameen pleaded not guilty to charges of accepting $1 million bribes for the lease of V. Aarah for tourism development.
On 10 February, Speaker of Parliament and President of the Maldivian Democratic Party, Mohamed Nasheed, at an MDP national council meeting, proposed to amend the constitution to allow the candidates who receives above 30% in the presidential election to win.
On 10 February, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih departed on an unofficial visit to Singapore. He is scheduled to return on 15 February.
On 9 February, the Maldivian Democratic Party passed a motion to submit a bill to parliament to halt campaigns that affect Maldives' ties with other countries.
On 9 February, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported 1,090 new COVID-19 cases. The HPA reported that 4,320 samples have been tested over the previous 24 hours, and that 16,095 cases are currently active.
On 9 February, Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed, at the parliament's 241 committee said that drug traffickers and gang members are involved in the 'India Out' campaign, with the objective of halting drug busts and seizures that are carried out with support from other countries.
On 8 February, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported 1,502 new COVID-19 cases from 4,972 samples tested over the previous 24 hours. There are currently 16,368 active cases in the country.
On 8 February, the Attorney General's Office said that 36 bills will be submitted to the current session of parliament, including various amendments to criminal justice laws.
On 7 February, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih conferred the Order of the Dignified Rule of Kalaafaanu on the Secretary General of the Muslim World League Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to strengthening ties between the Maldives and the Muslim World League.
On 7 February, the parliament's 241 committee passed a motion to investigate the opposition's 'India Out' campaign. Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed had written to the chair of the committee claiming that the campaign posed a threat to national security.
On 6 February, Abbas Faiz, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's special envoy on the investigation into the 6 May 2021 terror attack targeting Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, raised concerns over delays in holding hearings in the trial against the accused in the case. He noted that only one accused has been convicted so far, and that other are still in the pre-trial phase.
On 6 February, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported 1,757 new COVID-19 cases, from 5,792 samples tested over the past 24 hours. There are currently 17,169 active cases in the country.
On 6 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that effective 1 February, Indian nationals will be granted visa free entry to the Maldives for business purposes for a period not exceeding 9- days. The visas may be renewed for 18- days, in addition to the 90 days, within the calendar year.
On 6 February, President of the Election Commission Fuad Thaufeeq said that it has to date received 10 complaints on the Komandoo bi-election, but that there were no serious issues among the complaints.
On 5 February, the Election Commission announced that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Mohamed Rashid has won the bi-election for the Komandoo constituency parliament seat. He received 1,441 votes.
On 5 February, the Ministry of Tourism announced the extension of the deadline for the bids for 18 islands to be leased for tourism development. The new deadline is 22 and 23 March 2022.
3 February, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih delivered his presidential statement at the first sitting of parliament for the year. The President made various announcements in his statement, including the increase in the salaries for education sector staff starting May 2022, 720 opportunities under the student loan scheme, the establishment of three centers for victims of domestic abuse, the commencement of an additional 2,000 housing units in Hulhumalé, the new Anti-Corruption Commission to be tasked with the MMPRC investigation, and a number of other measures to be implemented during the year.
On 2 February, opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC) announced that its lawmakers will be boycotting the first sitting of parliament on 3 February where President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be delivering his presidential address.
On 2 February, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih removed Ashad Ali, Minister of State for Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, after the Criminal Court sentenced him to 15 days in prison for contempt of court.
On 2 February, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported 2,142 new Covid-19 cases. There are currently 17,721 active cases in the country.
On 1 February, the Health Protection Agency reported 2,180 new COVID-19 cases from 6,403 samples tested over the previous 24 hours. There are currently 17,743 active cases in the country. The HPA also announced that those who are fully vaccinated will not have to quarantine on close contact with a positive person.
On 1 February, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh Rear Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan paid his farewell call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
On 1 February, the new High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives Adam Maznavee Jaufer Sadiq presented his letter of credence to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
On 31 January, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported 2,754 new COVID-19 cases, from 7,852 samples tested over the previous 24 hours. There are currently 17,770 active cases in the country.
