Politics
Speaking at the gathering for the 96th National Day of Saudi Arabia, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that the Multinational Maritime Defense Charter would elevate relations between the two countries to a new level. Responding to opposition criticism, the President also said that the $20 billion project in Ras Malé with Abu Dhabi's Eagle Hills would significantly increase the Maldives' GDP and cause no harm to the nation. Meanwhile, Chief Operating Officer of the Maldives Pension Administration Office and former President of the ACC, Mariyam Shiuna, has been suspended from her official duties due to internal administrative issues at the office. A petition has been submitted to the People's Majlis on behalf of citizens requesting the abolition of the health insurance scheme designated for Members of Parliament. Looking at political party activities, MDP held an investment forum as part of its congress, while Sun Polls initiated a public opinion poll regarding the party's presidential primary. In a drug operation conducted in Gd. Thinadhoo, 39-year-old Fazleen Mohamed and 30-year-old Azlif Mohamed were arrested and remanded in custody along with 16.25 grams of illicit drugs. In connection with the fatal accident on Sosun Magu in Malé on September 21 that claimed the life of 26-year-old Aishath Mahidha, 21-year-old Maahu Hassan, who was driving a motorcycle without a license, was arrested and remanded in custody by the court for 15 days. Additionally, police have uncovered a major scam in which money was fraudulently taken from numerous individuals with the false promise of earning income from home.
Major debates have arisen in the political sphere and among the public regarding the leasing or transfer of ownership of land to foreign investors under the Ras Malé project; in this regard, the opposition and the Malé City Council have expressed concern over these agreements and are calling for a public referendum. On the other hand, the government states that this project is a major investment required for housing and economic development, and gives assurances that land will not be owned by foreign parties. However, amid discussions raised by various parties regarding national assets and economic benefits, heated debates on this issue continue without interruption.
It was revealed on September 23, 2026, that Maryam Shiuna, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Maldives Pension Administration Office, has been suspended from her post. According to reliable sources, Shiuna was suspended due to grievances raised against her by some members of the Pension Office board and the chairman. Regarding this matter, the media official of the Pension Office stated that information related to administrative matters of individual employees is not shared with the media, and that the institution's operations and services continue uninterrupted as usual. Shiuna, who previously served as the president of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), assumed the role of COO at the Pension Office in April 2023.
In an operation conducted by the police against a drug trafficking network, two senior figures of the network were arrested in GDh. Thinadhoo. This operation was a special effort carried out as part of ongoing police work to halt the spread of illicit drugs in the Maldives and dismantle drug trafficking networks. While the two individuals arrested from Thinadhoo are believed to be actively involved in large-scale drug trafficking in the region, the police are continuing further investigations into the case.
Details were revealed on September 23, 2026, of a decision to present over 100 business projects proposed by city and island councils to investors at a special investment forum held on the sidelines of the MDP National Congress. Party Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed revealed that the main objective of this forum is to empower councils financially and connect them with domestic and foreign investors to foster economic development in the islands. The projects for this forum were formulated with the assistance of the MDP Project Office, covering sectors including tourism, agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, and renewable energy. In addition, registration has now officially opened for investors interested in participating in this forum of the Congress, which will be held in October.
In remarks delivered by the President on 23 September 2026 regarding the signing of the Maritime Defense Charter, he highlighted the importance of maintaining peace, security, and defensive protection across the Maldives' maritime territory. He noted that the signing of this charter is an important step toward protecting the nation's maritime sovereignty and bolstering defense efforts at the regional level. Furthermore, the President stated that this agreement would expand opportunities to collaborate with other partners to guarantee maritime safety and security.
On 23 September 2026, a major scam operating under the guise of earning money through work-from-home jobs was uncovered. It was revealed that this fraudulent operation enticed the public with the illusion of easy income, engaging people in work to reap financial benefits while extorting money from them in various ways. Following the exposure of such scams, the public has been urged to remain vigilant and take protective precautions against hazardous transactions carried out under the pretext of online job offers.
On 23 September 2026, a special poll was conducted through Sun Online's 'Sun Polls' to seek public opinion regarding the MDP presidential primary. This poll was an opportunity opened to gauge the views of the general public and political figures concerning the MDP presidential primary. With many people participating and expressing their opinions in this Sun Polls vote, it served as an important exercise to measure the interest surrounding the party's primary.
Signing of a petition began on 23 September 2026 calling for the abolition of the health insurance package provided specially to Members of the People's Majlis. This petition is an initiative carried out to urge the relevant authorities to halt the special health insurance system arranged for Members of Parliament at state expense. Accordingly, those signing the petition are calling for the abolition of such special privileges and for arrangements to be made within an equitable framework just like for the general public. Preparations are underway to further expand this effort and submit it to official authorities with a large number of signatures.
A person has been taken into police custody and arrested in connection with a dangerous accident that occurred on Sosun Magu in Male' on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. Police are further investigating the cause of the incident and details regarding any injuries sustained by individuals in this accident. Relevant authorities are currently taking necessary legal actions against the individual arrested in connection with this dangerous incident that occurred on Sosun Magu.