The briefing
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has instructed the relevant authorities to expedite government development projects. Strong debates took place in the People's Majlis regarding the submission of a bill to establish an Asset Management Authority to confiscate assets acquired through 15 major crimes for the state, as well as regarding the Ras Malé project. Although former President Mohamed Nasheed and MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail traveled to India to meet with senior Indian officials, the official agenda of the visit was not disclosed. Preparations were underway to hold a PNF political rally in Hithadhoo, Addu City. Relevant agencies have decided not to grant any leniency to major drug offenders. Two Maldivians, 46-year-old Ali Rasheed and 34-year-old Mohamed Visaam, were arrested in Bangkok, Thailand, while attempting to send 2.37 kilograms of meth and 10 kilograms of cannabis concealed in children's clothing and thermoses. Police are investigating a case of sexual harassment against a woman on the Sinamalé Bridge. Corruption issues in the V. Rakeedhoo Council have also surfaced, and investigations into the matter have begun.
Statistics from the Ministry of Finance showed that the state received 30.8 billion Rufiyaa as revenue and grants by 1 October of this year. Eagle Hills Chairman Mohamed Alabbar arrived in the Maldives to hold high-level discussions regarding the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project being developed in Ras Malé. Preparations have been made to launch new private jet flights between Dubai and the Maldives. VietJet has begun selling tickets at special fares for Maldivian travelers. The Economic Crime Department of the Police conducted a major operation on 7 October 2026, searching a retail shop and other premises in Malé in connection with an illegal banking services and black-market dollar exchange case.
At a ceremony held at the Youth Hub in Malé to present the national flag and jerseys to the Maldivian contingent competing in the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026, Minister of Sports Abdulla Rafiu stated that opportunities will be provided for para-athletes in sports other than just athletics. At this ceremony, which was also attended by the Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives Ishigami Rumiko, the government supported the "100 Celebrities Talk for Para Athletes" campaign in addition to providing assistance for persons with disabilities to compete on the international stage.
Arrangements have been made to newly launch laboratory, ultrasound scan, and, in 11 islands, dialysis services across various islands of the Maldives. Relevant authorities have now arranged vaccination procedures for individuals departing for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages this year. Minister of Social and Family Development Dr. Aishath Rameela visited the Atoll Hospital located in N. Manadhoo and discussed service expansion with the management. At the ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of N. Velidhoo Health Centre, new services launched at the centre were announced, along with the announcement that the 30-bed hospital being developed in Velidhoo as well as the new hospital being built in Kendhikulhudhoo will open in 2027. The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has banned the import and sale of Everest brand coriander powder packets and ordered their removal from the market due to the presence of ethylene oxide, a toxic substance linked to cancer.
A branch of the National Centre for the Holy Quran was officially opened in HA. Uligan on 6 October 2026 by Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs Usthadh Abdul Ghafoor Ahmed and the President of the Island Council, Asadullah Mohamed. Opened under the national project to establish Quran Centre branches in every inhabited island, this branch will further facilitate opportunities for Quranic education in Uligan.
The Maldives Meteorological Service has confirmed that there is no tsunami threat to the Maldives and that no damage or tremors were experienced following an earthquake of magnitude between 5.0 and 5.2 that struck the Chagos Archipelago region on 7 October 2026. The agency also revealed that the earthquake, which struck approximately 833 kilometers away from Addu City at a sea depth of 10 kilometers, caused no effect on Maldivian sea levels.
Under the draft "Departure Tax Act" formulated by Thailand's Revenue Department, it has been proposed to levy a 1,000 Baht tax on every individual departing the country by air, and public consultations regarding the matter have been opened until 29 October 2026.
Five people were injured in a serious accident involving two motorcycles on Nirolhu Magu in Hulhumalé Phase 2 late at night on 7 October 2026, with two of them being placed on ventilators in the ICU. With the implementation of the new regulation, authorities noted vehicle towings related to accidents within a week, as well as issues regarding unpaid rent for Hulhumalé social housing. The asphalt paving work on Ameenee Magu has been completed, and the road is now officially open to public traffic. While 76 percent of the work on the 200 housing units being constructed in Gdh. Thinadhoo has been completed, the ministry has opened opportunities to apply for them. The Huraa Council reopened the opportunity to apply for residential land plots from K. Huraa, setting the application period from October 11 to 15. In addition, the ministry opened nominations for the Notable Fisherwomen Award, scheduled to be conferred on the occasion of the 46th Fishermen's Day, until 2:00 PM on October 19.
