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Modi attacks the press while offering to train Maldivian Journalists- Should we say NO?

Hamdhan Shakeel

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As the “India Out” campaign hits 2022 and the run of allegations of domestic interference by India hits a new threshold as the ruling coalition parties and its allies publish statements defending Indian military presence in the Maldives.

The two front men of the campaign to expel GMR from the Maldives, Adhaalath fundamentalist Sheikh Imran Abdulla and JP leader MP Gasim Ibrahim has once again renewed their commitment to the ruling coalition by voicing against the “India Out” movement. Opposition deputy leader MP Mohamed Saeed accused the parties of publishing statements written by the Indian High Commission in Maldives.

While the allegations against the ruling coalition and opposition alliance continue, India has turned its eye on the fourth estate of the Maldives.

On 28th December 2021 the Maldives Media Council published a statement and a series of photos of a meeting between the newly accredited Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Munu Muhawar. According to the statement by the Maldives Media Council, discussions were held on the Indian High Commission in Maldives facilitating shot and long-term training of local journalists.

The statement and the notion of India providing training was mostly received with ridicule and concern.

“It is vital to train journalists. But as there are journalists and medias paid by the Indian H.C, opening such an avenue will further increase their influence and power over the media.” Said Heena Waleed, one of the most recognizable media personalities in the Maldives who now serves as the opposition spokesperson.

Allegations of local journalists bribed by the Indian High Commission in Maldives has been at the core of those calling to reform the media in the Maldives. However, the real concern lies in why the Maldives Media Council chose to seek the Indian government for aid in training journalists. Maldives Media Council President Sahubaan Fahumy chose an insensitive moment to seek Indian aid in training journalists.

Moreover, India as a nation is an exceedingly dangerous place for journalists as its ultra-right-wing mobs and Government regulators routinely target journalists critical of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies or for even reporting gangrapes and in the case of Siddique Kappan, reporting on communal ethnoreligious violence.

On 5th October 2020 Siddique Kappan was arrested along with three others and charged with sedition, promoting enmity between communities, deliberate and malicious act to outrage religious feelings and sundry to terrorism. The police charge sheet read that Siddique Kappan intentionally portrayed Muslim victims of communal attacks as “victims”, inciting outrage in the community.

Siddique Kappan is just one of the many journalists and reporters facing trumped up charges by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government which has clamped down hard against the media. In 2021, at least 4 journalists were killed in India.

According to a recent report by media watchdog RSF, India is amongst the five most dangerous countries for journalists. The only countries more dangerous for journalists were Yemen, Afghanistan and Mexico of which two are at war. In addition to this, at least 7 journalists are currently detained by the Indian Government under various charges. Several more journalists from Jammu and Kashmir have also been detained and or jailed by the Government of India.

This attack on the media along with he blatant partisanship portrayed by active members of the media such as Arnab Goswami has led to India’s press freedom index to drop down to 142 where as the Maldives ranks at 79.

The question that remains is whether the Maldives Media Council along with local journalists will help the Indian Government in painting itself as a champion of a well-developed free press by abetting them in their propaganda or whether the Maldives Media Council and local journalists will stand in solidarity with the journalists under attack in India and say “NO” to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attack on the media.

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Nasheed to form new party

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The main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s leader Mohamed Nasheed has decided to form a new political party.

Nasheed initiated a separate political movement within MDP, ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’, following his loss in MDP’s presidential primary held back in January. After major conflicts with the government and its policies – all lawmakers from the faction tendered their resignation from MDP on Wednesday.

The move came after Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim was expelled from the party on Tuesday and banned from rejoining for at least one year over involvement in opposition political activities surrounding the Chagos archipelago dispute.

The 12 members who resigned from MDP on Wednesday are;

Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde)
North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahumy (Inthi)
West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef
Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef
Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef
Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan
Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan (Gita)
North Mahchangoalhi MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu)
Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
All 12 members are close acquittances of Nasheed. MP Hassan Latheef, during a meeting at Bodufenvalhuge on Wednesday, announced Nasheed’s decision to form a new political party. The meeting was attended by supporters of Nasheed.

Should Nasheed form a new political party, that party would be the largest opposition party in terms of members in the parliament, thereby, the minority party. The minority party at present, opposition PPM-PNC coalition has only eight members in the parliament.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

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MPs loyal to Nasheed leave MDP

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Multiple members of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) loyal to the party’s leader Mohamed Nasheed have left the party.

The members who resigned from MDP include 12 MPs. They include Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla, MP Mohamed Waheed, MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi), MP Hassan Latheef, MP Ilyas Labeeb, MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, MP Hassan Afeef, MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde), MP Hussain Firushan, MP Hassan Shiyan, MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu), and MP Ahmed Zahir.

They submitted their resignation letters Wednesday.

The move comes after MDP’s parliamentary group had requested action against Inthi, Hassan Latheef, Ilyas, Yasir, and Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim earlier this week, for forming an alliance with the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Jumhoory Party (JP) and Maldives National Party (MNP), after accusing the government of failure to protect the interests of the Maldivian people in the case lodged with the International Tribunal of the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) over the disputed maritime territory between Maldives and Mauritius.

The party’s disciplinary committee decided to expel Azim from the party on Tuesday.

They are all members of Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction.

However, Nasheed has yet to resign from the party.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

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The Cambodian Prime Minister arrives in the Maldives on an official visit

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The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, arrived Sunday morning on an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen’s first visit to the Maldives.

The Cambodian Prime Minister and accompanying delegation were received at Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid (ODRI). The government will hold a ceremony on Monday to officially welcome the Cambodian Prime Minister to the Maldives.

During the visit, President Solih would meet with Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen and hold official talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, followed by the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries. President Solih and the Cambodian Prime Minister would also deliver a joint statement on the outcomes of their discussions.

The Maldives and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1995.

Source(s): President Office.

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