8 September 2010 | Wednesday                 

Health-related Millennium Development Goals in SEA Region:
Where we are?
Dr. Jai P. Narain
The South East Asia Region (SEAR) has recorded many improvements over the past three decades in its health systems, and yet, it is struggling to achieve important health outcomes, especially among the poor, vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups. Therefore, while addressing the global commitments made under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are crucial, equally strategic is addressing these goals with “Equity” in the centre-stage. Thus, equity in accessibility, affordability and quality of services to the most vulnerable, hard-to-reach and desperate population groups will be a key to the Region’s success in health, including the MDG -6 (on HIV, Malaria and TB).

MJA calls to reinstate deducted points on DhiFM broadcasting licence
Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) calls Department of Information to retract decision on deducting five points from DhiFM’s broadcasting license for transmitting a visual live coverage of a protest organised by the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party outside the Presidential Palace on 28 January. The Content Committee of Department of Information – administered under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture – deducted five points from DhiFM’s broadcasting license after obtaining the programme contents from the editorial. MJA called the government to withdraw the decision after viewing the report published by the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) after investigating the police action of intruding DhiFM station and warning to halt the transmission. According to the report of PIC, DhiFM has not broadcasted any interview/material which was contrary to the national security. The report also revealed that the police action was against article 245 of the Constitution and article 7(a) of Police Act. MJA calls to dissolve the Content Committee of Department of Information, as the content review mandate is in the hands of the independent institution Maldives Media Council.

President Appoints an Ambassador to China

President Mohamed Nasheed has appointed Mr Ahmed Latheef as the Ambassador of the Maldives to China. The presentation of letter of appointment to Mr Latheef was held this morning at the President’s Office. Speaking at the function, President Nasheed expressed confidence that the Ambassador would fulfil his duties diligently.

President Appoints Two State Ministers

President Mohamed Nasheed has appointed Mr Akram Kamaaluddin and Dr Mohamed Shareef as Ministers of State for Housing and Environment. The appointment of the two State Ministers was held this morning at the President’s Office. Speaking after their appointment, President Nasheed said he was confident that the government will receive the full cooperation of the two newly appointed State Ministers in implementing its policies in the areas of housing and environment.

                 4 September 2010 | Saturday                 

Canterbury quake: As it happened
9.50pm The Ministry of Education says it is not aware of any major damage to schools or services in the Canterbury region following today's massive earthquake. Canterbury University is closed until September 13. Lincoln is closed on September 6. Christchuurch Polytechnic is closed until further notice. Another announcement will be made on Sunday.

Death in paradise: Top transplant surgeon drowns while snorkelling in the Maldives
Family, colleagues and patients are in mourning after top transplant surgeon Ali Bakran drowned while snorkelling on holiday in the Maldives. The 61-year-old who worked at Royal Liverpool Hospital for more than 20 years was a consultant transplant and vascular surgeon who touched the lives of 'hundreds and thousands of people'. Bakran was enjoying a two-week holiday with his wife Diane and daughter Miriam when he was pulled from the water and pronounced dead. The cause of Mr Bakran's death on the morning of August 27 is not yet known and his grieving family must now await the results of a post-mortem, which will be carried out in the UK. His son, Adam, said: We have no idea if he died before he drowned. My mum saw him snorkelling and then half an hour to 45 minutes later he was pulled from the water. 'Probably the best way I can describe him is selfless. He cared about his patients almost as much as he cared about his family.'

Pakistan floods and the timber mafia
There is a link between deforestation in Pakistan and the massive floods sweeping the country, said an official with the World Wide Fund for Nature. "Had there been trees, they would have lessened the intensity of the thrust of initial peaks of flood," said Ali Habib, director general of WFN, reports IRIN, the news service of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Flood waters now cover approximately one-fifth of the country. There also is a link between Pakistan's "timber mafia" and the country's deforestation.

Pakistan landowners accused of diverting floods to villages
Wealthy landowners in Pakistan have allegedly diverted waters from the country's devastating floods away from their own properties and into villages, the country's UN ambassador said Thursday. Abdullah Hussain Haroon called for an inquiry into claims that embankments had been allowed to burst to protect commercial crops. "Over the years, one has seen with the lack of floods, those areas normally set aside for floods have come under irrigation of the powerful and rich," Haroon told the BBC's HardTalk programme. "It is suggested in some areas, those to be protected were allowed, had allowed, levies to be burst on opposite sides to take the water away. If that is happening the government should be enquiring." A month of catastrophic flooding has killed 1,760 people and affected more than 18 million, according to the UN, and large areas of Pakistan, especially in the southern province of Sindh, remain under water. More than 3.6 million hectares (8.9 million acres) of productive farmland have been destroyed by the floods.

Disasters show 'screaming' need for action - climate chief
UN climate chief Christiana Figueres on Thursday warned that a string of weather calamities showed the deepening urgency to forge a breakthrough deal on global warming this year. Speaking before some 40 countries were to address finance, an issue that has helped hamstring UN climate talks, Figueres said floods in Pakistan, fires in Russia and other weather disasters had been a shocking wakeup call. "The news has been screaming that a future of intense, global climate disasters is not the future that we want," Figueres, newly-appointed executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC), told reporters.

Dramatic Climate Change Is Unpredictable
The fear that global temperature can change very quickly and cause dramatic climate changes that may have a disastrous impact on many countries and populations is great around the world. But what causes climatechange and is it possible to predict future climate change? New research from the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen shows that it may be due to an accumulation of different chaotic influences and as a result would be difficult to predict. The results have just been published in Geophysical Research Letters.

                 3 September 2010 | Friday                 

President calls for dialogue to resolve labour disputes

In his weekly radio address, President Mohamed Nasheed has said to resolve labour related disputes through dialogue and discussion is crucial to forge good relations between employers and employees. Referring to recent disputes in tourist resorts, the President said employers’ upholding the rights and entitlements of employees was very important. “The rights to proper meals, lodging, periodic holidays, and allowances must be upheld for profitable operation of the [tourism] industry,” said the President. The President, however, stressed that employees must also use their rights such as the right to strike within the parameters of law. While the government was required to protect employees’ rights, he continued, “the government is required to uphold the rights to acquire, collect and make transactions of goods, and to protect the inviolability of property.” In his weekly radio address the President also highlighted on the religious significance of the last ten days of the month of Ramadan and his meeting with the Governor of China’s Yunnan Province on Thursday.

Month Long Holiday for Parliament Despite Huge Burden

The parliament with huge responsibilities and unfinished business has taken another long vaccation as mandated. The parliament will end its holidays in September 30. The vaccation came when the onus to complete bills for courts, the setting off pay rolls for the local councils and approving the cabinet and assigning president and vice president for Human Rights Commission. The parliament that ended the second term on August 30 with hovering agendas for many unfinished administrative bills for decentralized governance and other necessary legislations required for the incomplete constitution. The last session ended without any result but with disputes among party lines in the debate. The session lost its consistency when the chair asked for vote on amendments for the bills on courts.

VTV Suspects Media Criticism for VTV Window Break

The shattering of Villa TV studio window pane in Male’ could have been caused by the speculation in the media against the digital TV station, the Administrative Manager of the VTV Uz. Abdul Latheef Ahmed has said. Preliminary investigation showed the window of the VTV studio was broken in the first floor of the VTV on Monday night from a flying object thrown to the studio that faces on a busy road in Male’ near the ADK health facility. By passers at the scene told media that they heard a loud noise and saw the window was broken and at the same time there was a few traffic on the road although a speeding motor bike was seen getting away from the scene. Police investigating the case had not yet made any comment. VTV had been a criticism target of MDP parliament group leader Moosa Maniku against a report on Civil Service Commission’s head’s designation which MDP had once claimed should be of the party. The VTV denied any rumors but said it has proof of the report they televised on air.

President Meets Governor of Yunnan Province of China

China’s Yunnan Province Governor Qin Guangrong paid a courtesy call on the President, today. The meeting was held at the Official Residence of the President, Mulee-aage. At the meeting the President and the Governor discussed on ways that the Maldives and Yunnan Province could forge greater cooperation in the areas of tourism, renewable energy, trade and civil aviation. The President highlighted that a lot of Chinese tourists were visiting the Maldives, and, discussed ways to make their stay more comfortable in the Maldives. Both sides agreed to strengthen links in the tourism, trade and energy sectors.

President for exporting ocean going ships, ship to Maldives
President Zillur Rahman on Thursday laid emphasis on taking measures to export locally produced ocean going ships as well as ship builders to the South Asian islands country of the Maldives. The President made the remark while newly appointed Bangladesh Ambassador to the Maldives Rear Admiral ASMA Awal paid a call on him at Bangabhaban here. During the meeting, the President asked the new ambassador to take measures for creating job opportunities for Bangladeshi ship builders in the Maldives along with paving the way for exporting Bangladeshi ocean going ships to the country, consisting of nearly 1200 islands in the Indian Ocean. Referring to 45,000 Bangladeshis now working in the Maldives, the President gave directives for creating more job opportunities especially for teachers at the newly build public university in the Maldives. Zillur Rahman also put emphasis on exporting more Bangladeshi products to the Maldives for further increasing the trade and commerce relations between Dhaka and Male. The President observed that exchanging of high-level business delegations could be fruitful in further increasing the trade volume between the two countries. The new Bangladesh Ambassador to the Maldives assured the President that he would do his level best in increasing the bilateral and commerce relations between the two countries during his tenure there. Concerned secretaries of the President's Office were also present.

Sri Lanka Maldives investment banking partners work on US55mn in deals
Sri Lanka's Acuity and Millennium Capital Management (MCM) Holdings of Maldives is partnering to provide investment banking services in the archipelago with deals worth 55 million US dollars in the pipeline, officials said. Acuity, a unit of Sri Lanka's listed DFCC Bank and Hatton National Bank is working with MCM Holdings initially to finance hotel sector firms in the tourist paradise, Acuity chief Ray Abeywardena said. But he said there was potential in healthcare and education. MCM Holdings chairman Mohamed Jaleel, a former state minister for finance and a governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority said a fully fledged investment banking service provider was needed by businesses in the archipelago for years. "Maldives' economy is driven by the tourism," Jaleel said. "One of the first projects we will enter will be in tourism. We will find other potential areas in due course." Shehan Cooray, who heads of Acuity's corporate finance division, said the partnership was working on a 15 million US dollar debt syndication for an undisclosed leisure firm and about 40 million dollars worth other deals were being looked at. The firm was securitizing lease receivables from an investor who had sub-leased an island to an international hotel operator, he said. Ahmed Adeeb, chief operating officer of Millennium Capital Management, the finance arm of MCM Holdings said there was renewed interest in hotel investment after the Maldivian government changed the terms of island leases. State owned uninhabited islands were earlier leased for 25 years with large projects going up to 35 years. But a new law passed in the parliament which is due to be ratified by the president shortly had extended the lease period up to 50 years. "Companies that sells 55 percent of the stock to the public may be able to get leases up to 90 years, though the details are still not clear," he said. Officials say there is potential for growth in the fledgling Maldivian capital market where so far only a handful of companies are listed and trading is not active. As Maldives has freed its capital market its people were investing abroad including in the Colombo stock market. Jaleel said a formal link with Acuity will also help Maldivians invest in Colombo more easily. Such freedoms are still not available to Sri Lankan though current Central Bank governor Nivard Cabraal is planning to liberalize the capital account in stages. Sri Lanka slapped draconian exchange controls on its people and made moving their hard earned savings to other markets a crime within three years of creating a money printing central bank. Unlike Sri Lanka's central bank, the Maldives Monetary Authority has a strong record in keeping its currency strong and rarely prints money to cause 'foreign exchange shortages' and break the dollar peg with the Rufiyaa. Sri Lanka's continuously depreciating currency and decades of deficit spending have made its citizens work as domestic servants in the Maldives. However a sudden increase in civil service salaries ahead of the last presidential elections and a shortfall in revenue during a global downturn triggered central bank financing of the fiscal deficit, pushing the islands into an International Monetary Fund deal.

                 2 September 2010 | Thursday                 

President Appoints Board of Directors of Maldives Road Development Corporation Ltd
President Mohamed Nasheed has appointed Board of Directors of the Maldives Road Development Corporation Limited. Mr Adam Maniku was appointed as the Chairperson of the Board. Other members of the Board include Mr Mohamed Waheed Ismail, Mr Ismail Asif, Mr Hassan Raeef, Mr Hassan Fayaz, Mr Wail Mohamed Zahir Hussain and Ms Nasra Ali.

President Meets Secretary General of Commonwealth Local Government Forum

President Mohamed Nasheed today met with Secretary General of Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), Mr Carl Wright. The meeting was held at the President’s Office. Discussions at the meeting were held on local council elections soon to be held in the Maldives and decentralisation of administration. Speaking at the meeting, the President noted the importance the government attached to decentralisation and local governance. He also said the government hoped the upcoming local elections would be very free and fair. The President requested for Commonwealth’s observation of local elections and sought its assistance in reaching cross-party consensus in implementing related legislations. Mr Wright commended the Maldives for taking the initiative in implementing local governance, adding that it was crucial for broader consolidation of democracy. He said the Commonwealth would support the Maldives in whatever way possible. The meeting was also attended by Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed, Special Envoy of the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Advisor on Political Affairs Hassan Afeef and Minister of Home Affairs Mr Mohamed Shihab.

Dhivehi Qaumee Party sends an open letter to Maldives Police Services

Daily Pampering: Maldives resort turns restaurant into undersea honeymoon suite
What was once a room for foodies is now a suite for lovers. The Ithaa restaurant at Conrad Maldives Resort & Spa normally features a "reverse-aquarium" room that seats about a dozen guests for an underwater dining experience. However, in honor of the hotel's fifth anniversary, that room has been converted into an undersea honeymoon suite (10 other guests not included).

                 1 September 2010 | Wednesday                 

New cemetery to be built in Hulhumale’

After discussing the issue of lack of burial space at Male’ Aa-saharaa cemetery, the Cabinet, in its meeting today decided to build a cemetery in Hulhumale. The new cemetery will be used to bury the dead from Malé. The new cemetery in Hulhumale’ is planned to be built within four months. The government will also make ferry arrangements to carry the dead to Hulhumale. At today’s Cabinet meeting, members also discussed land use plan for Vandhoo of Raa Atoll. The government decided to lease a part of the island for industrial use along with a slipway.

President Appoints Board of Directors of Maldives Road Development Corporation Ltd

President Mohamed Nasheed has appointed Board of Directors of the Maldives Road Development Corporation Limited. Mr Adam Maniku was appointed as the Chairperson of the Board. Other members of the Board include Mr Mohamed Waheed Ismail, Mr Ismail Asif, Mr Hassan Raeef, Mr Hassan Fayaz, Mr Wail Mohamed Zahir Hussain and Ms Nasra Ali.

Research Committee Sends Cabinet Nomination Report to Parliament

The report produced by the parliament research committee has decided to send the cabinet nomination report proposed by President Mohamed Nasheed to the parliament floor for approval as the committee unable to summon the cabinet members for interview. The general secretary confirmed speaker of the parliament Abdulla Shahid had received the report from the committee but felt short of giving the date of review on the parliament floor. Government earlier announced denying cabinet members to attend on summon to the parliament committees and the parliament yet to approve government cabinet has decided its attendance principles to the parliament. According to cabinet decided rules ministers does not require attending any committee. According to the chair of the committee the each of the parliament committee has the authority to issue order to summon any government official or cabinet ministers while the Attorney General has asked the Supreme Court to advice on the controversial spat of the cabinet and the parliament committees.

Adhaalath Complains against Dhiraagu and Wataniya not Helping Collect SMS Donations

Adhaalath Party has complained discomfort over Dhiraagu and Wataniya back legged in the final moment to help collect relief funds to help the flood victims of neighboring Pakistan through short message services (sms). The party said that a deal was made between the service providers and the party with discussions to collect donations but when the deal is nearly complete the two service providers despaired from the deal. It said it did not know the reason why the service providers quit from the deal. The Maldivian government already donated Mrf. 3 Million to Pakistan for flood victims and almost all schools and many organizations were still collecting funds to help Pakistan as Muslim associations and international bodies were working day and night to help Pakistan flood victims.

Ecologically Conjoined Two Administrative Single Island Must Have Two Councils

The parliament has decided to omit article 136 of the decentralization Act that stresses the two communities that could bring two communities with two island administrations under one council but with the amendment deepening the differences in single island communities already in separate errands. The MP who proposed the change that amends the Act said the proposal was made because article 21 and article 3 of the Act differs from article 136. Hassan Latheef the South Hithadhoo Constituency member said article 136 he proposed to eradicate contradicts the other two which in basic details the election of the council for all island’s administration allowing each separate administrative community to have a council. He said although the island is ecologically conjoined but traditionally administered as two separate islands require a council each according to the constitution.

                 30 August 2010 | Monday                 

Quran leads the way to Science- Dr. Mohamed Ali
Dr. Mohamed Ali has said that Quran leads the way to Science. In last night’s forum conducted by Ministry of Islamic Affairs to revive the nights of Ramadan held at Islamic Center, Environmentalist Dr. Mohamed Ali said that the Quran summons mankind to study and examine various aspects of the world, such as the heavens, rain, plants, animals, birth and geographical landmarks. Dr. Mohamed Ali stressed the importance of reflecting upon and examining the signs of creation around us. After quoting the world reknowned Scientist Albert Einstein’s saying, “Science without religion is lame,” Dr. Mohamed said that religion encourages science, and those who use their reason in the pursuit of scientific research acquire a strong faith because they apprehend God's signs at close hand. They are confronted with a flawless system and a perfect subtlety created by God in every avenue of research they follow, and in every discovery they make. He also said that science will advance speedily only if it is guided by the Quran, adopting its revelations, for only then may science adhere to way of God.

Shaheem named in 500 Most Influential Muslims
The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISC) of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has awarded Maldives State Minister for Islamic Affairs Shaheem Ali Saeed among the 500 most influential Muslims- 2010. Shaheem Ali Saeed was lauded among the most influential muslims in the administrative platform in the Muslim world today. “Saeed, is the minister of state for Islamic Affairs for the Republic of Maldives. His knowledge of Islam has provided good leadership to his ministry, especially in the drafting of regulations under the Religious Unity Act of the Maldives which, he believes, would provide a legal frame work to protect Islam. Saeed is also collaborating with the Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation to introduce a new television channel which would focus on relating Islam to the broader issues of society. He was a member of the World Islamic People’s Leadership and the Islamic Fiqh Academy in the Maldives,” said the publication. RISC’s publication also named influential figures of various sects within Islam such as Salam Al Awdah and Aaid Al-Qarni from Muslim Brotherhood, Ali Khamanei from the Iranian Shite Rafidites, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Aal Sheikh from the orthodox Sunni Salafists in its roll of honour. 500 most influential Muslims -2010 is the second of an annual series that provides a window into the movers and shakers of the Muslim world.

Water way to spend a honeymoon: The ultimate newlyweds suite is a romantic take on the phrase 'sleeping with the fishes'
When it comes to honeymoon destinations, most newlyweds have set aside a nice little bundle for their ultimate getaway. But a unique suite in the Maldives - while offering unbeatable views of the local marine life - is likely to eat up the entire average wedding budget, let alone the honeymoon accommodation costs. Conrad hotels are offering a breathtaking suite at their Maldives Rangali Islands resort, which has to be seen to be believed.

                 29 August 2010 | Sunday                 

Members Appointed to Judicial Service Commission

President Mohamed Nasheed has today appointed three members to the Judicial Service Commission. The three newly appointed members are:
- Adam Mohamed Abdulla, judge of the Supreme Court elected by the judges of the Supreme Court
- Abdulla Ghanee, judge elected by the High Court
- Mohamed Fahmee Hassan, President of the Civil Service Commission
Before the presentation of the letter of appointment, the members took their oath of membership of JSC. The oath was administered by Supreme Court judge Abdulla Areef. Speaking after the appointment, the President said he hoped Judicial Service Commission would carry out its constitutional mandate to that end. The Judicial Service Commission of the Maldives is an independent and impartial institution entrusted to, among other responsibilities, investigate complaints about the Judiciary; and, to take disciplinary action against them. The JSC is also mandated to advise the President and the People’s Majlis on any matters relating to the Judiciary or the administration of justice.

President Nasheed appoints the President and Vice President of Civil Service Commission

President Mohamed Nasheed has today appointed Mr Mohamed Fahmee Hassan as the President and Ahmed Hassan Didi as the Vice President of the Civil Service Commission. Letters of appointment to Mr Fahmee Hassan and Mr Hassan Didi were presented by President Nasheed at a function held this morning at the President’s Office.

President appoints a Chairperson to the regulatory board of Maldives Qualification Authority

The President has appointed Dr Abdul Muhsin Mohamed as the Chairperson of the regulatory board of Maldives Qualification Authority. He is appointed to the post in the rank of Deputy Minister. The President also appointed Mr Adam Saeed as the Deputy Minister of State, Upper North Province.

Maldives hosts 10th AP Conference ...
Continuing a series of articles on Climate Change
The 10th Triennial Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) was held from the July 3 - 9 , 2010 in Maldives. One-hundred and five delegates representing the 2.5 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from across the Asia Pacific Region (from Pakistan to the Pacific Islands) attended this conference which was the first of its kind to be held in the Maldives.

Resort Exit
Sri Lanka hotel group exits loss-making Maldives resort
Sri Lanka's John Keells Holdings (JKH) group said it had exited from an island further away from the capital of the Indian Ocean archipelago of Maldives, and extended its lease at a more profitable resort. JKH said it had sold the 'head lease' of Alidoo Island, which was located in the northern most atoll in the archipelago and in return received a 18 year head lease for Dhonveli resort which was 15 minutes by speedboat from the capital, Male. The group had previously had a 'sub lease' for Dhonveli until 2021, JKH said in a statement. The switch did not involve capital gains to the group. But the Alidhoo island was making losses, and Dhonveli was more profitable the firm said. The Maldives government leases uninhabited islands to resort operators. Lease rentals are a key source of revenue for the state.

At home in water
They have a Garbage Island, an Airport Island, a Jail Island, and even a Picnic Island, all — as the names suggest — officially earmarked for the purpose. Now, they hope to have a Studio Island for film shoots, and may be, even a Stadium Island to promote football. Well, when you have 1,192 islands in your country, with about 200 of them still uninhabited, you can even afford to have one dedicated just to take your dog for a walk (only, dogs aren't allowed into Maldives!).

Travel agent from Driffield, East Yorkshire, Michelle Flake spearheads Volunteer Maldives - a new way to help people who live on Indian Ocean islands

A DRIFFIELD woman who works in one of the world's most beautiful holiday destinations is spearheading a project aimed at helping the people who live there. Michelle Flake, 42, has launched Volunteer Maldives in a bid to encourage people to help islanders to improve their lives. "We want people to see that there is more to the Maldives than just the luxury tourist resorts," she said.