The briefing
The political atmosphere has heated up following allegations of the secret distribution of the remaining Fahi Dhiriulhun flats and the Rasmale project. Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom began a political visit to Addu City. On the "Raajje Miadhu" program, former Minister Ahmed Mahloof criticized the government and made important remarks. Reports have surfaced that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu did not meet with the family of disappeared journalist Ahmed Rilwan. The Criminal Court has commenced closed hearings in the defamation case against Aishath Eesha Ashraf for allegedly providing information for a documentary linked to President Muizzu. Following the transfer of AgroNet under MIFCO, former Hitadhoo North MP Mohamed Sinan was appointed as the company's Managing Director on October 5, 2026. Defense Minister Hassan Rasheed announced that the government is working to acquire 17 vessels required for the MNDF Coastguard to monitor Maldivian waters, with some vessels set to be received in November.
While work to modernize MPL's port is underway, the new ferry terminal developed in the shape of a stingray in K. Guraidhoo has officially commenced operations. MTCC has received praise from many for the high quality of its road development projects. Under efforts to increase Maldivian participation in the tourism sector, special employment opportunities on safaris have now been opened for Maldivian women. To provide relief to import businesses, the government stated that the amount of dollars issued monthly by the Bank of Maldives for TT has been increased to an average of 27 million dollars. In addition, the government continues to facilitate numerous easements for fishermen to develop the fishing industry. Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed stated that the number of vehicles imported into the Maldives has significantly decreased following the requirement to verify a garage letter prior to importing land vehicles.
Due to the risk of the presence of cereulide, a toxin from Bacillus cereus bacteria, in certain batches of Nestle's "SMA" infant formula, which could lead to symptoms of food poisoning, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) banned the import, sale, and use of these products on October 5, 2026.
In his address on the occasion of World Teachers' Day celebrated on October 5, 2026, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that the government will prioritize teachers' mental well-being, work to reduce their administrative burden, and enhance capacity for teaching children with special needs. In connection with this day, Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development Dr. Ismail Shafeeu appealed to protect the dignity of teachers and provide them with modern training and an adequate working environment. Although various activities were carried out in Maldivian schools to mark the day, the Teachers' Association of Maldives expressed concern over the absence of a large official national-level ceremony.
The People's Court of Khanh Hoa Province in Vietnam has sentenced Mohamed Anil, a 39-year-old Maldivian national, to 20 years in prison followed by deportation for trafficking over 1.5 kilograms of drugs (1,067.23 grams of mephedrone and 478.46 grams of alpha-PiHP) from Thailand to Vietnam.
A 21-year-old Maldivian student, Aminath Eemilee Nazim, died in a fatal car accident in Malaysia, while the driver of the car tested positive for drugs and was arrested. In addition to dangerous accidents occurring in Male' and Hulhumale', police towed a recklessly driven motorcycle. It has been decided to introduce dedicated bus services for school children to facilitate student transportation. Corrections revealed that Abdulla Ibrahim (Abucha), who was serving a 25-year prison sentence in connection with a 98.6 kg drug case in Addu, has been released on parole. Furthermore, police seized drugs hidden inside a bundle of collard greens (kopi faiy), and two foreigners were arrested in Male' with alcohol. The government has now commenced work on drafting a robust new law regarding child support payments after divorce. Following the re-transfer of Addu City's electricity services from Fenaka to STELCO after 17 years, work is underway to gauge the opinions and expectations of the public.
Opposition figures, including former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail, alleged on October 5, 2026, that the current administration halted the Ocean Connect Maldives India-Asia-Express (OCM-IAX) submarine cable project—valued at approximately $15 million and connected to Hulhumale' during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration—by failing to arrange roughly $20 million needed to operationalize it. They noted that despite the government providing $2.92 million as equity and issuing a sovereign guarantee for a 231 million Rufiyaa loan, the cable remains unused and unconnected to terrestrial networks, causing the Maldives to miss the opportunity to become a regional connectivity hub while internet prices continue to rise. However, even though audit reports show the cable has stalled without being utilized, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's administration maintains that the government is providing full cooperation to proceed with the project without interruption.
