hajam.ai
27 September 2026

Social

The Criminal Court on September 27 remanded two Nepalese nationals, Nikka Tamang and Itrani Galey, into custody for 30 days for smuggling over 1.5 kilograms of drugs ingested into their stomachs. Police have begun investigating an issue concerning the arrest and detention of a person who defiled a mosque in Malé. Police are investigating a case in which 150,000 Rufiyaa was stolen from beneath a motorcycle seat. Police are also looking into an accident involving an MNDF car near the Fish Market. Police have begun efforts to take special measures to prevent gang crimes. Police have announced that they have begun taking legal action against pedestrians walking on the Hulhulé-Hulhumalé Link Road. Police revealed that the fire in the building housing three government ministries was caused by electrical issues previously noted in the Geomatics Department of the Housing Ministry. Former President Mohamed Nasheed launched a short story book he authored titled "Kuru Vaahaka - 80ge Fahukolhu" on September 27 and opened it for pre-orders.

Two Nepalese nationals who attempted to smuggle drugs into the Maldives inside their stomachs have been taken into police custody, with a 40-year-old female and a 47-year-old male arrested in connection with this case. While both are accused of importing and trafficking drugs into the Maldives, they were remanded in custody for 3 days upon being presented before the Criminal Court. However, because they were admitted to the hospital for medical treatment and to expel the substances due to the presence of drugs inside their bodies, the remand hearing was conducted in their absence. Although the exact quantity of drugs they attempted to smuggle by swallowing is not yet clear, it is believed to be a large amount, and police are investigating the case further.

Police revealed on September 27, 2026, that approximately 100,000 Rufiyaa has been recovered from the 150,000 Rufiyaa stolen from under the seat of a motorcycle parked near the Male' Swimming Track area. Following the report of this incident to the police, CCTV footage was reviewed, and the suspect was identified and questioned, during which he confessed to stealing the money. Of the stolen money, 55,000 Rufiyaa that had been deposited into his account was handed over to the police, while an additional 40,000 Rufiyaa was directly deposited back into the victim's account. As the suspect spent the remaining 55,000 Rufiyaa, police are working to recover those funds, though no arrests have been made so far in connection with this case.

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan stated at the "Ahaa" forum held on September 27, 2026, that cases involving ten gang leaders are being investigated and strict action will be taken against them. The Minister stated that between 2007 and 2023, an average of 2 to 5 people were killed annually in gang violence, but with the robust measures taken by this government, no such murders have occurred in the past three years. Additionally, the Minister provided assurances that police presence has been increased in areas with high gang activity and that gangs will no longer have the opportunities they previously enjoyed.

A decision has been made to release the book "Kuru Vaahaka - 80ge Fahukolhu" (Short Stories - Late 80s), featuring short stories written by former President Mohamed Nasheed, and pre-orders were opened on 27 September 2026. The former president revealed that this book, scheduled to be sold for 250 Rufiyaa by Ocean Publishers in which he holds shares, is being published due to financial constraints and with the aim of earning extra income. In this regard, he stated that a major portion of the allowances provided to former presidents had been deducted, and that he had run out of money while attempting to build a house on his plot of land in L. Atoll. The book contains fictional stories written by Nasheed during the late 1980s.

The Maldives Police Service has issued a warning that legal action will be taken against those who do so, reminding the public that it is prohibited to walk across the Sinamalé Bridge to Hulhulé and Hulhumalé. Police noted that although there is a designated area for pedestrians on the bridge between Malé and Hulhulé, the highway connecting Hulhulé to Hulhumalé is designated for high-speed vehicles and lacks a safe pavement for pedestrians. Therefore, the police stated that walking on that road poses a major risk not only to pedestrians but also to the safety and security of other road users. Furthermore, police stated that the public should prioritize safety by complying with this directive, and that those violating this regulation will be monitored and subjected to action.

On Sunday, 27 September 2026, a dangerous accident occurred near the Fish Market on Boduthakurufaanu Magu in Malé when an MNDF car and a motorcycle collided. Official authorities have not yet disclosed the exact cause of this incident or whether anyone sustained serious injuries. It is reported that police and relevant authorities were active in the area following the accident and are further investigating the matter.

On September 27, 2026, police revealed that electrical issues had previously been noted in the ministry building where the fire incident occurred. During the investigation conducted by police regarding this incident, information on the issues encountered in the building's electrical network was checked and verified. Police stated that further forensic and technical investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire and to establish whether electrical issues played a role in the incident.

The court has ordered that Naushad Moosa, 32, of G. Malehiyya, who was arrested on suspicion of repeatedly damaging and desecrating mosques in the Male' area, be remanded in custody until the end of his trial. His remand was ordered because the police submitted reasonable evidence to the court suggesting he committed the alleged crime, and additionally because he has a prior criminal record for such offenses. Amidst significant public concern and indignation regarding the desecration, defilement, and damage caused to mosques, he was remanded until the end of his trial due to the potential threat to public safety.

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Politics

Amid opposition outcry over the agreement to lease 500 hectares of land from the area reclaimed under the Rasmale project to a foreign company for 99 years, Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib defended the agreement at the "Ahaa" forum. Former President's Office employee Aishath Eesha Ashraf has been charged with criminal slander (qadhf) in connection with the "Aadhadhu" newspaper's documentary "Aisha," alleging that she defamed and insulted President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. As President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu departed for Singapore on an unofficial visit with his wife, opinions were expressed within the ruling party regarding PNC Congress matters and granting him a second term. In addition, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, taking the lead, launched political activities and tours, sharply criticizing the government's policies.

Economy

Among the key economic highlights noted on 27 September 2026, the Bank of Maldives (BML) announced that due to high foreign currency demand, processing dollar telegraphic transfers (TTs) through the bank is facing a delay of two to three weeks. Under the government's state-owned enterprise restructuring policy, a framework agreement to transfer water and sewerage services in Addu City and Fuvahmulah City to MWSC was signed by the company's Managing Director Hussain Fahumy and Fenaka's Managing Director Mohamed Afif Hassan. While more than 76 percent of the overall Thilamalé Bridge project has been completed, deck installation between Malé and Villimalé has concluded, and finishing works are progressing rapidly. In the fisheries sector, 80 percent of the work on the new 4,000-tonne cold storage facility being established in Felivaru has been completed, and Minister Ahmed Shiyam stated at the "Ahaa" forum that MIFCO will no longer export any fish that could be rejected by foreign markets. Additionally, relevant authorities are strengthening efforts to monitor vessels engaging in illegal fishing within the Maldivian maritime territory. The President has provided assurances that an additional large dredger will be procured for MTCC to expedite the company's projects. The national airline, Maldivian, has decided to launch special flights to Bangkok, Thailand, coinciding with the upcoming school holidays. In the tourism industry, the Hilton brand has expressed interest in developing more resorts and expanding investments in the Maldives. The Tourism Minister emphasized the importance of human connection and hospitality alongside modern facilities in advancing the tourism sector.

Health

Health Minister Jeela Ali announced on September 27, 2026, that efforts are underway to import all medicines on the National Essential Medicines List into the Maldives and make them available to the public before the end of November 2026, through the newly formed State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation (State Pharma) established to import high-quality medicines into the country. To strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain and provide medicines to atoll pharmacies on a sustainable basis, the operation of 193 pharmacies and 706 employees previously managed by STO was transferred to State Pharma on July 1 of this year.