News

Bill proposed to empower parliament to decide number of political appointees

Published

2 months ago

05/03/2024

North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla has submitted an amendment to the constitution which proposes to empower the parliament to set down the number of ministers and other political appointees that will be appointed to the government by the president during each presidential term.

Opposition parties have highly criticized the incumbent administration, claiming the number of political appointees in the administration is “too high”.

The amendment to Article 116 of the constitution which proposes to empower the parliament to set down the number of political appointees and the number of the new ministries that will be created was submitted to the parliament on February 12th. Although the president will have the discretion to choose the areas of the ministries under this amendment – the president must seek parliamentary approval for the number of ministries and their mandates within seven days of inception.

Additionally, the President must seek parliamentary approval for a proposed number of political appointees that will be required for the operations of each ministry within 14 days of inception.

At present, Article 116 of the constitution grants the president the discretion to establish all ministries and determine their mandates. However, the president must submit all information relating to the ministries and their areas of jurisdiction to the parliament for approval.

Notably, after assuming office on November 17, 2023, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu formed a cabinet of 22 ministers including the Attorney General; the largest cabinet formed in the Maldives to date.

As per the President’s Office’s website – political appointees in the current administration exceed 300. Apart from the 22 cabinet ministers appointed by the president, an additional 12 individuals have been appointed to various posts at the President’s Office on ministerial level while an additional seven individuals have been appointed to the President’s Office on state ministerial level.

A total of 90 state ministers and 150 deputy ministers have been appointed to various ministries.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Police officers complete training to prevent maritime terrorism acts

Published

14 hours 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

14 hours 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

News

President pledges to advance telecom and markets for Maldivian products

Published

14 hours ago

17/05/2024

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to lead the nation towards a future of improved telecommunications infrastructure while simultaneously fostering and securing markets for the commercialization of domestic products. These commitments were articulated by the president in commemoration of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

In a widely circulated social media post, President Dr. Muizzu affirmed his dedication to opening up the country to cutting-edge communication channels and platforms. Furthermore, he reiterated his unwavering commitment to leveraging international markets to showcase the talents and products of Maldivians, thereby generating revenue for the nation.

President Dr. Muizzu’s vision includes the introduction of innovative financial services and transactions within the country. In line with this pledge, the Bank of Maldives (BML) initiated financial transaction services in March, offering online money transfer platforms such as digital wallets. Additionally, preparations are underway to introduce E-wallet services, which will streamline financial transactions through platforms like PayPal.

Source(s): PsmNews