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Parliament’s 06th May Terror Attack Report Highlights Defence Minister Mariya Ali Didi’s Negligence.

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The Parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241 committee) has publicized their inquiry report into the 06th May terror attack which was targeted at the Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed.

The highly anticipated report highlighted major issues surrounding interagency intelligence exchange and support systems. However, the report laid bare on the Defence Minister Mariya Ali Didi’s possible negligence in thwarting the 06th May terror attack.

According to section 10.17.8, the Hulhudhoo Constituency MP Ilyas Labeeb had informed Defence Minister Mariya Ali Didi of a possible attack against Speaker Mohamed Nasheed after he received a tipoff. Defence Minister Mariya Ali Didi stated that she did not inform any other intelligence units, within the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

She justified that under Article 19-1 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, that information on an act of terrorism should be relayed to the MPS and not the Defence Minister. She also stated that there was no legal need for the Hulhudhoo Constituency MP Ilyas Labeeb to relay the tipoff to her, and insisted that she is under no obligation to pass on the information on the attack to the MPS, herself.

However, Article 19-3 (e) of the Anti-Terrorism Act states that in addition to the intelligence units, any information gathered on a possible act of terrorism by any state authority should be immediately relayed to the intelligence units mentioned in the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Defence Minister Mariya Ali Didi also stated that she did not inform the Defence Intelligence Service (DIS) of the tipoff on the attack against Speaker Mohamed Nasheed because the Speaker’s security threat level was already at critical. She stated that even if she had informed the DIS of the possible attack, the threat level would have remained critical.

The inquiry report also noted that the Maldives National Defence Force did engage in patrolling the streets of the capital city following the 06th May terror attack. When questioned on the subject, Defence Minister Mariya Ali Didi, according to the inquiry report stated that the MNDF does not have the legal powers to patrol the streets of the capital city and that the power lies with the MPS.

However, the inquiry report noted that Article 28-4 (a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act states that, in the event of a possible act of terrorism or after an act of terrorism using weaponry or explosives, the MNDF will lead the efforts in protecting the society and taking preventive measures.

The content of the report is speculated to cause major political upheaval within the ruling Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) and its coalition partners. Conditions remain fragile within the ruling party as factions loyal to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Speaker Mohamed accuse each other undermining and sidelining each other.

Moreover, Speaker Mohamed Nasheed’s daughter and his supporters have already accused Minister Mariya Ali Didi of being involved in the attack and have called for her resignation.

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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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Hinnavar port and outer wall construction is completed.

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BY:FATHIMATH LAUZA

The contractor for the Hinnavaru Port Development Project, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), has announced that the land and outside wall have been finished. On November 10, 2020, the Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure tasked MTCC with expanding and modernizing Hinnavaru Port.

Hinnavaru is a significant island in the atoll that is linked to the economic growth of Fadhipolhu. Lack of consultation is a hindrance to transforming the atoll’s island area into a commercial power. A dam was formerly utilized to be designed by everybody in the north of Hinnavaru. After a piece of the port collapsed and the port was rendered unusable, efforts are being made to extend and improve the port in conjunction with the port.

Work on the damaged segment of the harbour and the building of the embankment were completed as part of the project. The exterior wall and groining have also been finished. According to the overall project status, 66% of the work has been accomplished. Hinnavaru’s new port will be 162 meters long and 47 meters broad. The dam work will fill an area of 65,170.76 cubic metres. It will also comprise the building of a 421-metre subterranean tunnel, a 123.9-metre outer wall, and a 140.55-metre revetment.

Fishing boats are constantly present in Hinnavar. Hinnavaru Council also recognized the island’s abundance of private launches and boats. According to the Hinnavaru council, traders and ordinary people suffered greatly as a result of the port’s failure.

According to the Hinnavaru Council, the port development project will alleviate the present challenges in implementing the suggestions, and no more economic growth will be brought to the island.

 

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Security heightened at Indian High Commission in Maldives over arson threat

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Security measures at the Indian High Commission in the Maldives have been heightened following arson threats.

Security measures at Indian High Commission in the Maldives were heightened in connection case under investigation by the police. No further details were disclosed.

Security measures were heightened at the Indian High Commission over a tweet by former State Minister for Finance Abbas Adil Riza, encouraging an arson attack on the building.

Abbas, in a tweet, alleged that arson was committed at Addu City during the unrest by members of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on February 8, 2012 after then-President Mohamed Nasheed’s government was overthrown, was on the orders of India. Noting that revenge has yet to be taken over the matter, Abbas called to set ablaze the Indian High Commission in the Maldives.

Foreign Ministry has also expressed concerns over Abbas’ tweet.

In a statement, the Ministry, said that the government was investigating the case as a serious matter whereas security forces have administered the necessary security measures over the threat.

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has described Abbas’ tweet as an act of terrorism. On this note, he said that encouragement of terrorism will be investigated as very serious matters.

Political parties including MDP, Adhaalath Party and MRM have condemned the tweet as well.

Source(s): sun.mv

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