Community Safety Council to be established

The Cabinet advises the President to establish a Community Safety Council. The Council will address the rise in anti-social behavior and crime.

The President will personally Chair the new Council. Other members include the Minister of Defense an National Security, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Legal Reform, Information and Arts, the Minister of Atolls Development, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Minister of Finance and Treasury, the Attorney General, the Chief of Staff of the Maldives National Defense Force and the Commissioner of Police.

The President briefed the Cabinet on the attempt to assassinate him while visiting North Thiladhunmathi Atoll Hoarafushi last week. He thanked the Close Protection Team of the Maldives National Defence Force for the efficiency and professionalism with which they acted to foil the attack. He also praised Boy Scout Mohamed Jaisham Ibrahim for his courage. He noted that the Maldives Police Service is thoroughly investigating the incident, and that those behind the act would be brought to justice.

Members of the Cabinet expressed their relief that the President was unharmed. They condemned the attack in the strongest possible words.

The President also briefed the Cabinet on his recent official visit to Bali, Indonesia to deliver an Address at the Opening Session of the UN Climate Change Conference 2008.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid and the Minister of Environment, Energy and Water, Ahmed Abdulla recalled the high praise that the President had received for his thought-provoking Address.