The Cabinet recommends to decentralise the administrative divisions in Northern and Southern Atolls

16th Nov: The Cabinet has today discussed the decentralisation of the administrative structure of Atolls. In this regard, the Cabinet recommended to the President to initially decentralise the administrative divisions in the Northern and Southern Atolls.
Speaking to the media, after today's Cabinet meeting, the President said that North Thiladhunmathi Atoll, South Thiladhunmathi Atoll and North Miladhunmadulu Atoll were grouped into the Northern Region while, Addu Atoll and Fuwamulaku Atoll were grouped into the Southern Region. The President also said that two State Ministers would be assigned to administer the two regions. A Council would also be established to assist the State Ministers. The Council would consist of elected members from the Island Development Committees. The President also said that 4 departments would be established to assist the State Minsters.
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed and Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Gasim Ibrahim also participated in today's press briefing.
Vice President Dr. Waheed noted that this was a great stride towards establishing a decentralised administration of Atolls in the country.

The President appoints Major General Mohamed Zahir as the National Security Advisor

18th Nov: The President has appointed Major General Mohamed Zahir as the National Security Advisor. He was previously the Chief of Defence Force, while Brigadier Moosa Ali Jaleel who previously held the position of Vice Chief of Defence Force was appointed as the Chief of Defence Force.
Following the resignation of Mr. Adam Zahir who previously held the position of Commissioner of Police, the President appointed the former Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Faseeh as the Commissioner of Police.
The three appointments were made at a ceremony held this evening at the President's Office.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President urged the three newly appointed officials to fulfil their responsibilities in a just and lawful manner. Highlighting that a majority of the Maldivian population comprised of youths, the President noted the necessity to prevent such issues as violence and drug abuse in the country. He also urged them to help provide a happy and prosperous life to the people.

The President meets with the UN Resident Coordinator

18th Nov: President Mohamed Nasheed today met with the Resident Coordinator in the Maldives, Mr. Patrice Coear-Bizot.
At the meeting, the President briefed Mr. Coear-Bizot on the government's plans to decentralise the administration of Atolls and the two discussed the government's decentralisation policies.
Mr. Coear-Bizot noted the importance of decentralisation of administration and said that United Nations would provide its assistance to the Maldives in this undertaking.
The President was joined at the meeting by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed; Special Envoy of the President, Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki; Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Gasim Ibrahim; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed; and Policy Secretary at the President's Office, Mr. Abdul Bari Abdulla.

The President appoints officials to two senior government posts

18th Nov: The President has appointed Mr. Mohamed Aswan as the Principal Collector of Customs and Mr. Mohamed Zuhair as the Press Secretary at the President's Office.

The President appoints officials to some senior posts at the President's Office

20th Nov: The President has appointed officials to the posts of Under Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary, at the President's Office.
The newly appointed Under Secretaries are; Ms. Shazly Shafeeq, Uza. Hisaan Hussain, Mr. Ali Niyaz, Ms. Fathimath Shareef, Mr. Ibrahim Hoodh, Mr. Ibrahim Rasheed and Dr. Moosa Fathee.
The newly appointed Deputy Under Secretaries are; Mr. Hussain Amr, Ms. Fathimath Afshan Latheef, Ms. Aishath Shuwaikaar, Uz. Nazil Afeef, Mr. Furahani Shuaib Ali, Ms. Rugiyya Ahmed Didi and Mr. Abdul Hameed Abdul Kareem.

The President appoints members to the Boards of Directors of STELCO and STO

20th Nov: The President has appointed members to the Boards of Directors of STELCO and STO. Mr. Hassan Zahir of Maafannu Ranfas was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of STELCO.
Other members appointed to the Board are; Dr. Zaid Mohamed, Managing Director of STELCO, Mr. Ali Azwar, Assistant Director of STELCO, Mr. Abdulla Waheed Assistant Executive Director of the Maldives Energy Authority, Mr. Mohamed Rasheed of Galolhu Dhuvarusaa, Mr. Mohamed Rasheed of Maafannu Maadu, Mr. Mohamed Rasheed of Hulhumale' Flat no: 2308 and Ms. Khadeeja Aboobakuru of Henveyru Blue Corner.
Mr. Farooq Umar of Maafannu Aadhilleege' was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of STO Public Limited Company. Other members appointed to the Board are;
Mr. Ahmed Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of STO, Ms. Sana Mansoor, Deputy Director of STO, Mr. Ahmed Shahid of Maafannu Sunshine, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Didi of Maafannu Feymons, Mr. Ahmed Arif of Maafannu World dream and Ms. Raheema Saleem of Machangolhi Bandhuge.

The President appoints Economic Advisor

20th Nov: The President has appointed Mr. Ali Shiyam as his Economic Advisor.

The Government to invite International Airport Operators to negotiate a joint venture to manage, develop and promote Male' International Airport
20th Nov: The Government has taken the initiative to invite experienced international airport operators with demonstrated financial capacities to negotiate a viable and mutually beneficial joint venture to manage, develop and promote Male' International Airport. The Ministry of Finance and Treasury will issue a notice very soon for the interested operators.
The Intention to select an appropriate partner, who will take up equity in Maldives Airports Company Ltd, is to inject the necessary financial and managerial input necessary for the airport to meet and sustain international standards in safety, security and which will ensure proper and timely development of the airport to meet the demands of the national economy.

HRCM releases report on housing situation in Maldives

21st Nov: The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives has released its report on the housing situation in the Maldives on Thursday. The report titled ‘Rapid Assessment of the Housing situation in the Maldives' puts forward 18 recommendations and is aimed to assist the government and all concerned in taking the necessary steps to better the housing problems in the country.

Speaking at the function held to inaugurate this report the President of the Commission Ahmed Saleem stated that he believed the report would be an important contribution on housing that the commission has accomplished to date.

Also speaking at the function Vice President of the Commission Mohamed Zahid assured that HRCM will not stop with this report but would pursue this issue by monitoring extent to which the concerned authorities and the government employs the recommendation put forth in providing effective remedies to housing situation in the Maldives.

At the end of 2007 from cases reported to the HRCM, those related to housing issues were the third most serious and highest in number.

Maldives showcased at World Travel Mart 2008

21st Nov: The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) and Maldives tourism industry representatives has participated in the World Travel Mart 2008 from 10 to 13th November 2008 at ExCel London, according to a statement issued by MTPB. According to MTPB this is the biggest travel trade event held in the United Kingdom.

According to MTPB a total of 70 tourism related companies from Maldives participated in the fair of which 33 companies represented resorts and hotels in the Maldives. Also travel agencies selling resorts, hotels and live-aboard participated in this fair. The three day long fair attracted over 50,000 visitors. Visitors include press, media and travel trade. The fair attracted 5500 exhibitors representing over 200 countries and regions.

Maldives stand at WTM was re-designed to portray the dynamism of the tourism product developments in the destination Maldives.

UK is the major generating market for Maldives with 17.8% of the market share. Maldives welcomed 89,952 visitors from UK by the end of September 2008.

Former President Mr. Ibrahim Nasir passes away

22nd Nov: Former President Mr. Ibrahim Nasir has passed away tonight, at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore, after prolonged illness. He was 82. On receiving the news, President Nasheed conveyed his sincere condolences to President Nasir's family.
Mr. Ibrahim Nasir was born on 2nd September 1926. Upon his appointment as the country's Prime Minister on 12th December 1957, Mr. Ibrahim Nasir continued his service in the position for over 10 years. He took oath of office as the President of the country on 11th November 1968. President Nasir resigned from the post on 10th November 1978. After resignation, he left the country and resided in Singapore till death.
As a Prime Minister and the President of the country, Mr. Nasir brought numerous progress and development to the country. On 26th July 1965, he signed an agreement with the British Empire to gain the full independence of the country.

The President declares, tomorrow, 23rd November 2008, a public holiday, following the passing away of Former President, Mr. Ibrahim Nasir

22nd Nov: The President has declared, tomorrow, 23rd November 2008, a national holiday, following the passing away of Former President, Mr. Ibrahim Nasir. The President also declared that the National Flag be flown at half-mast for 7 days. He made the decisions after discussing with members of the Cabinet at tonight's Cabinet meeting.
Speaking with the media tonight, Vice President Dr. Waheed said that the Government was making arrangements to bring Former President Nasir's body to the country to grant him a State funeral. On behalf of President Nasheed, Special Envoy of the President, Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki has departed for Singapore tonight to make those necessary arrangements.
The funeral ceremony will be arranged by a committee consisting of senior officials from the President's Office, Ministry of Islamic Affairs, MNDF, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home affairs.
Following the funeral ceremony of Former President Nasir, a book of condolence will be kept open at the President's Office, Government Ministries, Atoll Offices, Island Offices and at Government Missions abroad.