Government to remove SAARC monuments

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari has expressed his views on the controversial SAARC monuments and urged the government authorities to remove them saying many of the monuments depict symbols or slogans of idolatrous religions, something not permitted under recently enforced Religious Unity Regulations.

a SAARC monument

Mohamed Zuhair, the press secretary for President said that the government will respect Dr Bari’s decision and the matter will be forwarded to the President as soon as he returns to Office.

Former President Gayoom led Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and some pressure groups have expressed concern and anger over the SAARC monuments.

Protesters in Addu City have vandalised Pakistani and Sri Lankan monuments.

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Written by: Ibrahim Nazim

17 November 2011, Thursday

21 Thw al-Hijjah 1432

Petrol bomb explodes under minister’s car

Maldives police are investigating an incident of a petrol bomb exploding under Minister of Education Shifa Mohamed’s car when she visited Jamaaluddin School.

minister Shifa Mohamed

According to sub inspector of police Ahmed Shiyam, the car was parked inside school premises when the incident happened and another explosive device was blown up somewhere in the school ground.

Both the devices were believed to be home made petrol bombs thrown inside over the walls said Shiyam.

No one was injured in the incident. 

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Written by: Ibrahim Nazim

17 November 2011, Thursday

21 Thw al-Hijjah 1432

Police arrest 10 people over Friday night protests

A protest march organised by PPM activists to condemn those responsible for erecting statues in Addu City ended with police intervening to arrest some people.

female riot police arresting a woman

The protesters called on the government to destroy the SAARC monuments depicting idols and idol worship in Addu City.

The protesters gathered at Artificial Beach area began to march towards the Presidential Palace when police in riot gear stopped them.

Police media official Ahmed Shiyam said all those arrested on the night have been released.

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Written by: Ibrahim Nazim

17 November 2011, Thursday

21 Thw al-Hijjah 1432

MIRA receives Rf298 million in October

Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) statistics shows the receipt of more than Rf298 million in October this year. Statistics published by the authority shows that each month the state collects millions of Rufiyaa through MIRA. The revenue department receives money in the form of rent, fine and tax, and until the end of October this year, the department has collected Rf3.7 billion. This amount is an 80 percent increase compared to last year.

Most of the money the revenue department receives comes from travel and tourism, services or businesses related to tourism or T-GST. The receipt from T-GST for the past ten months amounts to Rf 166 million. Apart from T-GST, the largest amount of revenue is generated from tourism lease rent, which amounted to Rf978 million for the past ten months. 

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Written by: Ibrahim Nazim

16 November 2011, Wednesday

20 Thw al-Hijjah 1432   

Pension fund to buy Rf100 million worth Dhiraagu shares

Maldives Pension Administration has decided to buy shares equivalent to Rf100 million from Dhiraagu, with a hope to provide an additional gain for pensioners.    

In a press briefing held at pension office, the CEO Mohamed Hussein Manik said the move was made because the law on pension scheme permits pensioners money to be invested and the changes made to regulations concerning pension deposits. The CEO said Dhiraagu was chosen to invest because the company is more reliable and continues to make profit.

The pension authority hopes that a gain between 8-11 percent can be made from the investment shares. A total of 1 percent from the profit will be employed for administration costs as the current costs for pension administration is borne by the state.

More than 80,000 people working in public and private companies have registered themselves in Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme so far. People over 65 years of age are to receive a particular monthly amount of money from the pension scheme.

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Written by: Ibrahim Nazim

16 November 2011, Wednesday

20 Thw al-Hijjah 1432

STO needs a flour importer

State Trading Organisation Plc (STO) announced the company seeks an importer to bring in 3000 metric tons of flour into the country. STO also said the opportunity to import the required amount of flour is open to both local and foreign bidders.

The bid document is on sale at a price of US$150 each and the bidding will open on November 27.

STO provides a list of countries from which flour can be imported, they include the United States, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, Turkey, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, European Union and South American countries.

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Written by: Ibrahim Nazim

16 November 2011, Wednesday

20 Thw al-Hijjah 1432

Rf750 million spent on Addu City this year

Speaking to the press, President Mohamed Nasheed said approximately Rf750 million has been spent to prepare Addu City for the SAARC Summit and a number of other development projects carried out this year, including road construction, harbour development, drainage installation, school and airport development.  

The newly built Equatorial Convention Centre for SAARC Summit cost Rf130 million while renovations carried out at Gan Airport cost almost Rf40 million.

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Written by: Ibrahim Nazim

15 November 2011, Tuesday

19 Thw al-Hijjah 1432

IGMH introduces triage system

In a press statement released today, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), the largest hospital in Maldives announced the introduction of a triage system for patients who require urgent care.

The new system will give determine priority among patients requiring emergency treatment as they wait to check blood pressure, oxygen levels and heart rate in the room provided.   

The new regulations are introduced because patients who do not require urgent medical attention continue to be treated at emergency care unit.

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Written by: Ibrahim Nazim

15 November 2011, Tuesday

19 Thw al-Hijjah 1432