Maldives In Brief: Judges Association vs. Chief Judge

The Maldives Association of Judges has fired a letter to the Chief Judge, Abdulla Saeed, condemning his “lack of action or words against people who are trying to influence the judiciary.”

“The letter signed by Ahmed Naeem, President of the Association and judge of Civil Court read that some of the political parties have been accusing the judiciary ever since the separation of powers under the new constitution.” Haveeru reported.

The letter was prompted by President Mohamed Nasheed’s recent criticism of the judiciary over what he called its “carelessness” after the criminal court acquitted drug lord Adam Naseer due to lack of evidence.

“When there’s Rf5 million in a bag underneath the bed and the judge doesn’t think it raises any kind of doubt, I wonder how they perform their duties as a judge,” President Nasheed has told a party rally, blaming the judiciary.

However the letter of the judges association said it is “concerned about the Chief Judge being silent, while politicians criticise the judiciary, which might lead to loss of confidence in the judiciary.”

“It requires us to think about the future of the judiciary, as the public is losing confidence, trust and hope in us, while believing that the order of the judiciary is lost in the country,” Haveeru quoted the letter as saying.

DhiTV, Haveeru staff attacked

In a yet another deadly blow to the Maldives’ media freedom, four men forcibly entered DhiTV studios and attacked five senior officials at the station on Monday whilst hours later a Haveeru employee was stabbed in the back, in a separate incident.

The attack occurred “shortly after the the station aired a report on its 2 o’clock news claiming that Ibrahim Nafiz, ‘Chika’, has been released to house arrest,” Minivan news reported.

“Nafiz was sentenced to five years imprisonment in July 2008 for possession of a sword,” Minivan news said. “Although the state also prosecuted Nafiz for alleged drug trafficking, the charges could not be proven at court and were dismissed.”

DhiTV CEO Yousuf Navaal declined to comment on the attack for fears of aggravating the situation, it added.

Only three hours after the gang attack on DhiTV, a Haveeru employee was stabbed in the back.

“Abdul Razzag Adam, 39, who works at the printing department, was knifed outside the Haveeru office building while he was on his cycle,” it said.

Razzag is in a critical condition, undergoing treatment at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

DRP elections marred by influence and money: alleges defeated candidate

Defeated opposition DRP candidate for the deputy leadership, Dr. Fathin Hameed has said the party’s last month election was marred by “influence and money.”

Dr. Fathin Hameed, who could not secure one out of the four deputy leadership positions, at the last month party’s national congress has told DhiFM that the election was “not free and fair.”
“Delegates already had specific instructions when they came to the congress and during the congress envelopes containing MRF 500 (USD 39) were distributed and some representatives were also paid with MRF 1000 (USD 78) or MRF 1500 (USD 117) each,” Dr. Fathin Hameed was quoted as saying in Miadhu.

Dr. Fathin has said she had the best agenda to democratize the party, although she was defeated due to anti-lobby.

But DRP spokesman and the newly elected Deputy Leader, Ibrahim Shareef responded to Dr. Fathin saying “her failure is a result of lack of popularity among ordinary members.”
“For understandable reasons she could not admit the defeat,” Shareef was quoted in Miadhu.

National security is paramount, President tells Parliament

President has urged parliament to consider national security issues as amendments to the Armed Forces Act are being debated in the House.

“The constitution is very clear. I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. I can’t allow any disruptions and divisions among the Armed Forces. Therefore…when members of the People’s Majlis vote on the bill, they must seriously contemplate and consider the security of the whole country,” Nasheed told his weekly address.

The President’s comments follow an amendment to the Armed Forces Act to require parliamentary approval in appointing high-ranking military officials.

But Nasheed called parliamentary approval on such appointments an “undue interference,” the President’s office said quoting his weekly address.

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Nasheed said: “it could be a barrier against national security, progress and peace.”

However, parliamentary sessions have now been stalled after two contradictory amendments were passed to the Armed Forces Act.

Presently, President Nasheed has the sole authority to appoint and dismiss the army chief, according to the country’s constitution.

Whilst one amendment called for the president to retain that power solely, the other amendment said that parliamentary approval should be there for the appointment of the army chief.

Both contradictory amendments have been passed and now and it is up to the Speaker to take a final decision.

- Asian Tribune -