2 October 2007Report: Soodh
Home Minister Abdulla Kamaaludhin speaking at the Citizens Majlis held yesterday has said, rather than pointing the finger at a certain group, the whole nation should remain united in the investigations of the blast of September 20.He made the statement speaking at the debate time opened under the urgent motion tabled by Member for Dhaalu Atoll Ahamed Nashid ,relating to bomb blast at Sultan Park.
Minister Kamaaluhdheen said a total of 10 have been arrested and that youths between 17 to 18 years of age are among them and that 2 are foreigners. He also said that a mobile phone and washing machine motor attached to a butane gas cylinder triggered the bomb and that the person who called the mobile to trigger the explosion has been identified and that the police are searching for others who has contacted the mobile phone.
Member for Dhaalu Atoll, Nashid who tabled the urgent motion said due to this incident many tourists received physical and psychological losses and that news of this incident has been picked up by world media. He noted that this may have severe ramifications on the Maldives tourist industry. Member Nashid also noted that the incident occurred at a time when the industry was been further enhanced with the inclusion of 35 more islands that are currently under development.
Male’ Member Ibrahim Ismail, Ibra, also spoke on the matter. He said finger pointing and blaming certain groups can only be done after full investigation and that this incident had affected the citizen’s sense of security. He said “this is not a stand alone incident, this is not an incident related to politics, I have reported 6 explosions near my house to the authorities next may be the 7 time”.
Member of Parliament for Addu Atoll Mohamed Shareef said that this sort of explosions have been going on for some time and more frequent when party official visit atolls.
Kolhumadulu Member Hassan Afeef said that due to weak justice system, innocent people are being blamed instead those who commit crimes. He also called for foreign expert assistance in the ongoing investigations.
Mulaku Atoll Member Nazim said that since the criminals do not get a fair punishment, the crimes are being committed wholeheartedly.
When the discussions time allocated for the urgent motion passed 22 members were waiting in queue to speak.
Next on the agenda was approving of the minutes of 4 previous meetings. They were from 38/2007 to 41/2007. The minutes were passed without any comment from members.
Next agenda item was the first hearing of the Bill on Pensions. Second hearing this bill is scheduled for 17 October 2007. Second hearing of the Bill on Registration and Publishing newspapers was next on the agenda.
Meeting was adjourned due loss of quorum at 12:09. A minimum of 26 Members are required to hold a Meeting of the Citizens Majlis in accordance with its Standing Orders.
Yesterdays Meeting was attended by 41 Members and was chaired Speaker of the Majlis Ahmed Zahir.
Next Meeting of the Majlis is scheduled for Tuesday 2 October.
VELIDHOO COMMUNITY
Foreign Ministers of India, Sri Lanka and Singapore have condemned the detonation of an improvised explosive device at the Sultan Park on 29 September 2007. They expressed their condemnation at meetings held with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid in New York.
Maldives Police Services has revealed that so far 11 people have been arrested in connection to the sultan park explosion of 29 September 2007. 
