Maldives Election Cadidates Debate - 2013

All four candidates contesting the presidential elections slated for this Saturday have highlighted the

significance of enhancing industries and boosting state revenue in order to revive Maldives' flailing economy.
During Sunday's presidential debate organised by the state run Maldives Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Maldives National University, all candidates agreed on strengthening the tourism and fishing industry.

Incumbent President Mohamed Waheed Hassan who is seeking re-election as an independent candidate stressed that in addition to developing tourism, the capacity to process fish is vital to boosting the fishing industry.

The election candidates of 2013 – Maldives

This election seems or going to be the first and most competing election ever held in Maldives. The contenders are shown in the above picture.  Election Commission (EC) is an independent body, but some parties are having doubt about their independencies and made complaint about the EC activities. The EC committed to the media that this election would be free and fair election.

Seaplane operators to be merged: Blackstone takes majority stake in Maldivian Air Taxi and Trans Maldivian Airways

Maldives Promotion House – Blackstone Group LP (NYSE: BX), the big U.S.-based asset manager today announced that a private equity fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its private equity investors has acquired a controlling interest in two Maldives-based seaplane operators – Maldivian Air Taxi “MAT” and Trans Maldivian Airways “TMA”. Following the transaction, Mr. Lars Erik Nielsen (Founder, MAT), Mr. Lars Petré and Mr. Hussain Afeef (majority shareholders, TMA) will retain a substantial shareholding and continue to play a significant role in the companies, including serving as directors on the board. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Muslims will not be against the death penalty: Sheik Imran

Sheik Imran Abdulla is the President of Adaalath Party said that Muslims will not be against the death penalty upon murderers that is prescribed in the Islamic Shariah. He Further stated that Islamic Shariah is a divine in origin and it is pertinent for every places and times (ages). If any person discussed about to be modified or modernized its’ contents is not a believer in Islam, so s/he is a non-muslims or hypocrite

Imran made the above comments towards the recent claims of MDP Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Gafoor who said that MDP is not believe in the death penalty, as most of the countries in the world and statistics do not show that death penalty is effective. Sheikh Imran said that the punishments and the principle of qisas (Arabic terms) – retribution are prescribed in the Islamic Shariah as a manifestation of divine justice.

President Dr Waheed take oath of office

On 7th February 2012, the newly-sworn-in President of the Maldives Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that today Maldivians have obtained the true assurance of their rights guaranteed the constitution.

He was addressing the public after the ceremony held for him to take the oath of office as President of Maldives.

“Today, we have established rule of law in our beloved country. It is the day that Maldivians feel protected by the constitution,” President Dr Waheed said.

President Mohamed Nasheed Resigns

On 07^th February 2012 around noon time President of Maldives, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed announced his resignation in a statement made to the public. He made the announcement after signing a letter of resignation addressed to the Speaker of the People’s Majlis as per the Constitution. With Reference to his statement,

President Nasheed said:

“I believe if I continue as the President of the Maldives, the people of the country would suffer more. I therefore have resigned as the President of Maldives”.

Protestors demand government to stick on court orders and free Judge Abdullah at once

The arrest of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court, Abdullah Mohamed by the military without a warrant has sparked protests and civic unrest in the capital Male’ City.

Protestors first gathered at the MMA area calling for the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed. The protestors demanded the government to adhere to court orders and release Judge Abdullah Mohamed right away.

Last evening, the protestors gathered in front of the residences of Press Secretary Mohamed Zuhair, Chief of Police Faseeh and Home Minister Hassan Afeef. The angry protestors called for their immediate resignation for their violation of the constitution.