Operating without registration is an offense –Ministry

Ministry of Home Affairs has revealed that use of the name of New Maldives without proper registration is against the regulations that govern civil societies and associations. Home Ministry revealed this in a press release issued yesterday. Home Ministry in the press release stated that the release was issued due to articles being carried in daily newspapers regarding the recent registration of a society under the name New Maldives. The press release stated that the articles were written in such a way that may confuse the general public and the Home Ministry’s intention in issuing the press release was to clarify the situation to the general public.

The press release noted that a civil society was registered under the name of New Maldives Movement under article 5 of the Regulations on Associations and Societies. According to the press release, article 5 of states “when an application to register a society or an association is made in accordance with clause 3 of this article, then such a society or an association in accordance with the Associations and Societies Act and in accordance with this Regulations shall be duly registered and the Certificates of Registration shall be released to the concerned parties”.

The news release also stated the Ministry believes that it is not advisable to reserve the name of New Maldives to a group of people who has been using the name without proper registration, especially when another party wants to register a society using the same name.

“And if any person or group has been using that name without registration, the Ministry believes that it is a violation of the Act on Associations and Societies. Article 2 of this Act states that any association or society shall only be operated after being registered in accordance with this Act” revealed the press release.

Miadhu contacted Dr. Shaheed one of the founder member of the unregistered New Maldives Movement to obtain his views on the Home Ministry’s press release. Dr. Shaheed told Miadhu that press release indicates that government is very concerned with New Maldives.

“It shows how much the government is worried” said Dr. Shaheed. Government is worried because they know we will change the government in the forthcoming elections said Dr. Shaheed.

According to Dr. Shaheed the Registrar is given authority to check whether the name submitted is suitable to be registered and whether to accept the name or not.

“If any there is person in Home Ministry who reads the daily newspapers, listens to TV and Radio and listens to government announcements, then he surely will know that there is group of people who are referred to New Maldives and New Maldives Movement” said Dr. Shaheed.

Dr. Shaheed described the labeling of New Maldives to a specific group by the government as an act of theft.

“This government has taught the people to steal what ever they can, when they can, wherever they can and however they can” said Dr. Saheed.

“According to international standards you do not register movements, we called it New Maldives Movement in order to join the Alliance, movement is a motion, it is not an association or a society, our movement does not have an office, or members, we don’t have a budget or an account, this our brand, our political vision, if the government want to give it some other person, then they can do it without giving excuses” said Dr. Shaheed explaining how they use the name of New Maldives.

Shaheed said he is very satisfied that government has issued a press release. According to Dr. Shaheed it shows how much the government is worried. Dr. Shaheed said even though the name is now registered to different group, the people of Maldives would always know who the real New Maldives refers to.

“This is intended to obstruct our activities; this is the second attempt of Abdulla Kamaaluhdheen to create block Dr. Hassan Saeed’s presidential campaign, the first was to sign, on orders of President Gayoom, that person married to foreigner may not become the President of Maldives, we are assuring the people of Maldives, that we will ensure that “Theemuge” Presidential Palace is empty by 10 of November, we will ensure that it belongs to the people” said Dr. Shaheed.