The briefing
At the PNC congress, elections were held for vice presidents, senior positions, and the senate, with members elected to these posts. Speaking at the congress, PNC Chairperson and Speaker of the People's Majlis Abdul Raheem Abdulla said that stability and development can only be brought to the nation if a leader remains in power for at least ten years, and that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu must be secured a second term in the 2028 presidential election. Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom criticized the practice of placing a hand over the chest while singing the national anthem. Calls for a criminal investigation against the President of the Elections Commission and allegations of First Lady Sajidha Mohamed's political influence have surfaced. Discussions to amend the law to prevent pardons for drug traffickers and details of police operations conducted to halt scams were disclosed on this day. While police have begun investigating a case involving a crocodile and a gold handgun found in an apartment in Malé, a court sentenced a youth to 17 years in prison in a drug-related case. President Dr. Muizzu highlighted the importance of state leaders being accountable to the public and noted that youth are distancing themselves from the political arena. Rumors regarding the resignation of Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, as well as questions directed at the government in connection with the residence Dhimyaath, were also addressed on this day.
European tour operators such as ABTA have warned that they will stop selling Maldives packages following the decision to levy a 17% TGST on foreign booking agencies starting October 1 and the requirement compelling resorts to exchange 40% of their foreign currency income into Maldivian Rufiyaa. While the government has decided to pay off in full and clear the USD 50 million T-bill taken through the State Bank of India (SBI) from the Sovereign Development Fund without rolling it over, the World Bank has given assurance that it will continue providing assistance for economic reform efforts. Customs has fined two foreign oil tankers, "KG 1" and "AL 1", MVR 310,000 each, after they illegally entered Maldivian territory, collided with a pillar of the Sinamalé Bridge, and sank. Additionally, the national airline, Maldivian, has decided to conduct walk-in interviews to recruit cabin crew.
A Reuters investigation reported on September 16, 2026, revealed that more than 20 skin whitening creams containing the toxic substance mercury, which is banned from sale on the global market, are being sold on online platforms such as TikTok Shop, Temu, and Amazon. Furthermore, the government has announced that it has initiated numerous hospital projects across different parts of the Maldives.
As 49 percent of O-Level students in the Maldives choose the business stream, education expert Dr. Hassan Hameed has expressed concern that overcrowding in this field could lead to graduates facing unemployment and result in a shortage of skilled Maldivians in other essential sectors. First Lady and Chief Guide Sajidha Mohamed graced the closing ceremony of the 25th National Patrol Leaders' Training Camp, conducted by the Maldives Girl Guides Association in Vilimalé, on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Incidents of heavy rain and flooding have occurred in R. Innamadhoo and Inguraidhoo. On September 16, 2026, after the straps snapped and the supply vessel "Sealine 3"—carrying timber and 4 crew members while traveling from Malé to a resort in R. Atoll—began taking on water in the Kaashidhoo Channel, police officers arriving on a launch from the B. Eydhafushi Police Station rescued the vessel by pumping out water and unloading cargo. A depression has formed in the Andaman Sea, and the weather is forecasted to deteriorate further in the coming days.
On September 16, 2026, the Maldives officially signed the charter of the 15-nation "Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition" (MMDC), initiated by Saudi Arabia to protect critical maritime trade routes. On September 16, 2026, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced plans to facilitate a USD 100 million financing facility required by the Maldives, provide assistance through Petronas for oil and mineral exploration studies, and further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. On September 16, 2026, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the Maldivian government strongly condemned the attempted drone attacks and ongoing threats targeted at Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia by the Houthis, reaffirming their steadfast solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
NSPA, in collaboration with councils, has begun efforts to recover more than 10 million Rufiyaa mistakenly deposited into the accounts of over 700 deceased individuals. An elderly father who was neglected and left stranded alone on the street has been taken into state care. Former teacher Mohamed Afeef, who suffered serious brain injuries in an accident in Hulhumalé Phase 2, passed away on the night of September 15 while undergoing treatment on life support at Tree Top Hospital. To reduce accidents and raise awareness, Hulhumalé Traffic Police conducted a silent drill holding signboards near the cemetery. Over 52,000 people have registered with the Malé Taxi Line so far. Due to a technical issue with a Maldivian Airbus aircraft scheduled to fly from Cochin, India to Malé, passengers were forced to wait inside the aircraft for five hours. Muslima Adam of dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives won the titles of Best Chef and Best Maldivian Chef at the FHAM 2026 Global Culinary Challenge, securing three gold medals and one silver medal.
