The Times of Addu, Noble, Hithadhoo (2025)

02/11/2024

Ahmed Musthafa, President of the Maldives Media Council (MMC), was reinstated at Public Service Media (PSM) on Friday, just a day after his dismissal.

PSM’s Deputy Managing Director, Abdulla Yameen, confirmed that Musthafa appealed the termination, leading to a board review that reversed the decision.

Although PSM has not provided details on the reason for his dismissal, social media criticism has emerged regarding PSM’s live broadcast of the "Skeelan" documentary by Adhadhu. This documentary, which won MMC's investigative journalism award, contains allegations made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's stepmother against him. The President has denied these claims, which surfaced during last year’s presidential campaign.

02/11/2024

The government’s chief spokesperson, Heena Waleed, announced that 248 political appointees have been dismissed as part of cost-cutting measures initiated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Initially, President Muizzu had ordered the dismissal of 228 appointees on October 15. However, by October 31, the number reached 248, exceeding the initial target by 20 as part of the government’s economic reform agenda.

01/11/2024

Finance Minister Moosa Zameer presented a projected state budget of MVR 56.6 billion for 2025, with anticipated expenditure at MVR 49.2 billion and projected revenue and grants at MVR 39.8 billion, including MVR 2.5 billion in grants. Notably, the budget allocates over MVR 3 billion for housing, with MVR 1.5 billion set for housing projects nationwide and a plan to offer MVR 2 billion in home construction loans at a 5% interest rate.

The budget also includes MVR 11.5 billion in fiscal reforms aimed at cutting MVR 6.6 billion in state spending and boosting revenue by MVR 4.9 billion. Key reforms target Aasandha, subsidies, and state-owned enterprises.

30/10/2024

For the first time, the Maldives will contend in the prestigious Miss Universe pageant, one of the world’s “Big Four” beauty contests.

Representing the Maldives, 21-year-old model Mariyam Shaina Naseem will be the country’s first-ever contestant on the global stage.

This year’s event will be hosted in Mexico, with the pageant activities beginning on November 14 and the grand finale set for November 16. The Mexican Embassy in India confirmed Shaina’s visa approval via X on Tuesday, allowing her to officially join the competition and mark this milestone for the Maldives.

29/10/2024

The parliamentary committee has approved a supplementary budget of MVR 5.1 billion, which will now proceed to the parliament for debate and final approval.

This budget increase is projected to raise the overall budget deficit to MVR 18 billion, bringing the total state budget for the year to MVR 55 billion. The supplementary budget includes plans to secure MVR 1.4 billion through foreign loans and an additional MVR 3 billion from the domestic market.

29/10/2024

The High Court has dismissed the Prosecutor General's Office's second appeal to reinstate charges against former Vice President Abdullah Jihad in the Fushidhiggaru case. This ruling upholds the Criminal Court's earlier decision, which found the charges flawed and unable to proceed to trial.

The case, originating from Jihad’s time as Finance Minister, involved his approval of a joint venture for developing the Fushidhiggaru reef as a tourist zone. Although initially planned with a 50% government stake, Jihad signed the agreement with only a 25% share.

The Prosecutor General's Office has the option to seek further review, but it’s uncertain if they will do so.

28/10/2024

The Finance Ministry is set to present the proposed 2025 state budget on Thursday, as confirmed by Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim.
During a joint meeting of the Public Accounts and Economic Committees, Nazim announced that Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla has scheduled a special parliamentary session for the budget presentation.

28/10/2024

The Maldives Customs Service seized 2,000 cartons of ci******es from a vessel operated by Hawks on Friday night, intended for illegal import. Homeland Minister Ali Ihsan confirmed the seizure, stating that Customs is still verifying the exact quantity of ci******es as the operation continues. The smuggled goods were falsely declared as tissues.

The current tax on the shipment, totaling 400,000 ci******es, amounts to MVR 1.2 million. However, with a planned tax increase next month, the same quantity would incur a tax of MVR 3.2 million.

28/10/2024

First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed left for Tanzania on Sunday evening to participate in the 11th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary Conference. During the event, which runs from October 29-30, she will join the High-Level First Ladies Panel, deliver a keynote address, and engage in discussions at the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee Meeting.

The conference gathers healthcare professionals, policymakers, and academics to address critical topics, including women’s empowerment, disease management, and expanding access to quality healthcare across Africa and Asia.

27/10/2024

Maldives' Minister of Tourism, Ibrahim Faisal, has announced that the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) will organize a special symposium next year to promote tourism in the country’s southern region. The announcement was made during the launch of the "Addu Tourism Brand."

Minister Faisal highlighted the need to support tourism growth in areas with underdeveloped infrastructure, noting that transportation challenges and tax implementation pose obstacles. He also emphasized the importance of engaging local youth in tourism opportunities, reaffirming the government’s commitment to raising awareness and fostering development in these regions.

26/10/2024

At the 2024 IMF-World Bank Plenary, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) Governor Ahmed Munawwar, serving as the committee chair, highlighted the urgent need for increased support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) facing climate impacts and debt pressures. In celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Bretton Woods Institutions, Governor Munawwar underscored the importance of inclusive global cooperation to navigate today’s economic challenges.

Munawwar emphasized Maldives’ goal to source 33% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2028, a transition requiring $1.3 billion in funding, of which only 13% has been pledged so far. He urged the IMF and World Bank to provide affordable and accessible climate finance to vulnerable nations. Addressing debt relief, Munawwar also called for innovative solutions, such as debt-for-climate swaps, and reforms in debt frameworks to reflect the unique needs of SIDS.

He praised recent IMF and World Bank initiatives, including increased climate financing, quota realignment, and representation expansion for Sub-Saharan Africa, advocating for an inclusive approach to future development goals. In a call for unity, Munawwar stated, "Collective action is essential in today’s fragmented world," stressing the Bretton Woods Institutions' role in fostering stability and cooperation among member nations.

25/10/2024

Parliament has approved four nominees from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for the Tax Appeal Tribunal, based on Judiciary Committee recommendations. The approved members—Abdul Ghanee Mohamed, Ibrahim Shareef, Hasan Zuhair Mohamed, and Shifza Abdul Gayyoom—were selected for scoring above 75% in merit evaluations.

25/10/2024

Key Highlights of the Supplementary Budget

MVR 2 billion for PSIP projects
MVR 441.1 million for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)
An additional MVR 650 million in the contingency budget
MVR 458 million for student loans
MVR 200 million for medical consumables
MVR 262.6 million for medical treatment
MVR 1.02 billion for subsidies
MVR 24.4 million for salaries

25/10/2024

he Maldivian government has submitted a supplementary budget of MVR 5.12 billion to address additional expenditure needs as the 2024 state budget nears depletion. The proposal was presented by Finance Minister Moosa Zameer during Thursday’s parliamentary session and has now been forwarded to the Budget Committee for further review.

Once approved, the total state budget for 2024 will rise to MVR 55 billion. The supplementary budget allocates MVR 2 billion for Public Sector Investment Projects (PSIP), MVR 1 billion for subsidies on fuel, food, electricity, and water services, and MVR 650 million for contingency expenses.

Other key allocations include MVR 458 million for student loans, MVR 441 million for State-Owned Enterprises, MVR 263 million for the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), MVR 200 million for medical supplies, and MVR 24 million for salaries.

24/10/2024

On Wednesday, Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdullah announced a voluntary 50% salary reduction, lowering his monthly earnings from MVR 73,125 to MVR 36,562. This move, made ahead of next year's budget presentation, demonstrates solidarity with President Mohamed Muizzu’s economic reform agenda.

President Muizzu also announced a series of government spending cuts, including a 10% salary reduction for political office holders, aimed at alleviating the state's financial burden and promoting fiscal discipline.

24/10/2024

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23/10/2024

President Mohamed Muizzu revealed a set of cost-saving actions in the 2025 budget, focusing on reducing expenses for public officials and government-owned company employees in the upcoming two years.

The strategy involves reducing the President's salary by 50% and cutting political office bearers' salaries by 10%. Workers in state-owned companies, except for banks, will experience a 10% reduction in their wages, with a salary limit of MVR 90,000, which is lower than the previous threshold of over MVR 100,000. The steps were disclosed in a post on X.

23/10/2024

The Maldives government has terminated its agreement with US investment banking firm Centerview, which had been advising on debt matters, according to sources reported by Reuters.

Although the deal was never publicly announced, former President Mohamed Nasheed praised the current administration’s decision to end the partnership. In a post on X, Nasheed commended President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, stating that such debt advisors have been exploiting the country’s resources.

The Times of Addu

02/11/2024

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