The briefing
On September 8, 2026, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu sent a letter to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom sharing the Maldives' concerns regarding the UK's ongoing negotiations with Mauritius over the Chagos issue and requesting to hold official talks. Additionally, stating that the public must say no to liars, the PNC's High Council invited leaders of other parties. Following remarks by former President Abdulla Yameen claiming that the fire incident at the building housing government ministries was intentional arson, he rejected and sent back the summons chit sent by the police. Looking at other political activities, in addition to holding the PNF's "Green Signal" rally, the political atmosphere has heated up following Nasheed's remarks regarding the MDP primary and the arrest of the party's activist Shamin. After removing Abdulla Faiz from the post of MTDC Chairman, the PCB appointed Ahmed Shaheer to the post. Regarding the alleged low-cost sale of a 1,250-square-foot plot in Hulhumale' Phase 2 at a rate of MVR 375 per square foot for a total of MVR 468,750, Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib stated that it was a decision made to deliver justice to an elderly person who had been deprived of justice since 2003. Furthermore, various allegations related to STELCO and MACL employees, as well as concerns regarding press freedom, have also surfaced.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced decisions to increase the government's stake in Dhiraagu from 41.8 percent to 51 percent, and to acquire the 20 percent stake held by Japan's Hitachi in MWSC, making it a 100 percent state-owned company. The government has also initiated efforts to designate 10 islands and lagoons from Male' Atoll and other regions to develop 10 Maldivian-owned resorts. Allied Insurance has introduced a Sharia-compliant "Debt Protection Takaful" scheme that pays off remaining debts to financial institutions and releases mortgaged assets in the event of a borrower's sudden death. Amid policies aimed at cutting expenses and preventing corruption in state-owned enterprises, former STO Managing Director Hussain Amr expressed concern that STELCO might have to bear Fenaka's financial burden. WAMCO stated that the primary foundation for the expansion and success of its services is the public's trust in the company. A poll was also conducted to gauge public opinion on potential solutions to the dollar shortage facing the Maldivian economy.
On September 8, 2026, important activities related to the work on the Hdh. Kumundhoo football pitch were carried out. Under this project, work is underway to develop the island's sports facilities and establish a complete football pitch for the youth.
Due to rising temperatures caused by El Niño, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on September 8, 2026, urged the public to reduce strenuous outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day, drink plenty of water, and pay special attention to children and the elderly. In connection with World Physical Therapy Day, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Maldives National University (MNU) and the Maldives Physiotherapy Association on September 8, 2026, to provide international-standard education and training in the field of physiotherapy and to expand and decentralize the service to the atolls.
On September 8, 2026, an issue surfaced where the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure ordered the removal of the names of former President Ibrahim Nasir, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and Sultan Mohamed Fareed Didi from a speech prepared by a Maldives Polytechnic student for the National Engineers' Award ceremony. Following the retirement of Kalaafaanu School Principal Nazleen Wafir on August 31, 2026, after 35 years of service in the education sector, the Ministry of Education has announced a search for a new principal for the school.
To address the issue of the growing stray cat population on the streets of Male' and its adverse impact on public health and street cleanliness, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu officially inaugurated the "Olyhiyaa" pet care facility, established on a 5,000 square foot plot in Farukolhufushi, Hulhumale' Phase 2, on November 2, 2024. Developed to accommodate 1,000 cats and featuring a clinic, quarantine area, laboratory, and pharmacy, full operation and cat care management of the facility was officially handed over by the Male' City Council to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare in February 2025. Through this facility, cats rescued from the streets of the Greater Male' area are currently provided with shelter, veterinary treatment, and neutering services.
The Maldivian Foreign Ministry, in a statement issued on September 8, 2026, strongly condemned the attacks carried out by the Houthis targeting civilians and economic centers in the southern Saudi Arabian cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, describing them as acts violating the country's sovereignty. In addition, during Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to the Maldives from September 14 to 15, 2026, two memorandums of understanding regarding defense and Islamic affairs were signed, and an agreement was reached to provide the Maldives with 100 million US dollars in financial assistance.
On 8 September 2026, the foundation stone was laid for the largest mosque with a capacity of 10,000 people, the Sultan Mohamed Bin Abdulla Grand Mosque, in the area connecting Hulhumalé Phase 2 and Phase 3. It was announced on this day that the number of Hafizs who have memorized the Quran in the Maldives has reached 322. Over 75 percent of the work on the bridge connecting Malé and Villingili has been completed, with the final segments joined and preparations underway for the asphalt-laying phase. MTCC is carrying out asphalt-laying work in damaged areas of Ameenee Magu in Malé. In the case of the speeding Porsche car accident near the Vinares flats in Hulhumalé Phase Two, it was revealed that the driver Ibrahim Ikram and two other individuals were arrested and the case is progressing. "Camp Fanvaru", conducted with 341 participants of the third batch of the Maldives National Service, was successfully concluded. Work on the Dharavandhoo harbour development project was also progressing rapidly on this day. In addition, information was shared regarding the Housing Equity Loan dedicated to housing and the housing units in Gan. A court also sentenced an individual convicted of a drug case to prison. A special campaign to increase religious and moral awareness was also launched on this day.
In order to facilitate the utilization of renewable energy, the "Balcony Solar System", which can be easily used on household balconies, has been officially introduced. Due to this new technology, generating solar energy even in small spaces will provide significant relief in reducing electricity expenses.
