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Faris: Small changes not enough to reform Maldives

Published

9 months ago

04/09/2023

Ahmed Faris Maumoon, who is contesting the upcoming presidential election independently, says that small changes aren’t enough to reform the Maldives, adding that it requires making revolutionary changes.

Before the conclusion of Saturday’s presidential debate, Faris summarized his vision.

“Maldives cannot be reformed by making small changes, small reforms, giving small pieces for free or by adding free things,” he said.

Faris said that policies must be formulated based on consultations and debate.

He said he would formulate such a plan within the first two years of his rule.

He also stressed the need to reform state institutions.

He said he would change the composition of parliament, and free the independent institutions.

During the debate, when asked about the arrest of former presidents, Faris said there are huge influences in the criminal justice system in Maldives, which has undermined people’s confidence in the justice system.

With that, he said, issues related to the people are more important to the debate than such talk.

“However, what am I going to say? We are coming to debate in this presidential election, not about our politicians,” he said.

Faris said that although there are public concerns, such issues should not be given priority.

Replying to a question on foreign relations and national security, Faris said that if a foreign army is stationed in Maldives, even if it is not for the purpose of war, it cannot be stationed without the approval of parliament.

If there are such people, his administration will tell them to leave.

“If anyone is asked to leave and does not leave, it is an act of war. If such a thing has happened in history, our leaders should report it to the UN Security Council,” he said.

He said not taking up the issue was a weakness of leadership.

Faris said in foreign relations, Maldives should look beyond the India-China fight, to the world’s north and south.

He said the country’s foreign policy should not be centered solely on a specific foreign country, and that Maldives must strengthen relations with all countries, except for Israel.

“But it is not good for us Maldivians to carry foreign flags,” he said.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Developmental projects of Maldives progressing substantially

Published

18 hours ago

18/05/2024

India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar has affirmed that the developmental projects of the Maldives carried out with the assistance of India have been progressing considerably. The remarks were made by the minister during the Confederation of Indian Industry (CIIs) Annual Business Summit.

Speaking at the summit, Minister Jaishankar stated that some developmental projects were slightly politically influenced, hindering the progress. However, he assured that the progress of the projects have propelled at a notable rate.

Following the Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer’s official visit to India at the invitation of Minister Jaishankar, discussions were held highlighting the spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects.

Meanwhile, the Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to the development and prosperity of the Maldives by extending a budgetary support of USD 50 million to be repaid within a term of one year.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Police officers complete training to prevent maritime terrorism acts

Published

1 day ago

17/05/2024

A team of 22 police officers has successfully completed a specialised training programme focused on thwarting maritime terrorism activities.

Entitled “Training on Strengthening Capabilities to Disrupt Maritime Crimes as Related to Terrorist Threats,” the program was conducted through a collaborative effort between the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Running from May 13 to 15, the intensive training equipped participants with essential skills and knowledge crucial for combating threats in maritime environments.

The concluding ceremony, graced by the presence of Chief Superintendent of Police Ibrahim Adnan Anees, Head of Marine Police, along with senior officials from the Marine Police Department, UNODC’s Head of Office Enrico Boninsegna, and course instructor Kenneth Alferdo Pennington, highlighted the significance of such initiatives in enhancing national security.

Addressing the gathering, Adnan underscored the importance of ongoing education and skill development, urging participants to actively apply the knowledge garnered from the program in their professional endeavors.

The training, conducted at Dhoonidhoo, Kaafu Atoll, imparted vital insights into the prevention and detection of maritime terrorism activities, emphasizing protocols for safe navigation in high-risk areas. Furthermore, officers received guidance on investigative procedures essential for effectively addressing such crimes, thereby bolstering the nation’s capabilities in combating maritime threats.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

President reverts land act amendment to parliament

Published

1 day ago

17/05/2024

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has reverted the Ninth Amendment Bill to the Maldives Land Act to Parliament for further consideration.

This bill, which seeks to establish criteria for recipients of residential land and mandates that land be allocated within three months of the publication of the permanent list of recipients in the gazette, was initially passed during the twenty-second sitting of Parliament’s first session this year and sent to the President’s Office for ratification on May 2.

In returning the bill, President Muizzu invoked Article 91(a) of the Constitution, which grants the President the authority to return legislation to Parliament for reconsideration.

The President’s Office has confirmed this, indicating the need for further review and potential revisions to the proposed amendment.

Source(s): PsmNews