Maldives Government Submits 'Protection of Religion and Honor Bill' with Defamation Penalties Up to MVR 500,000

The Maldivian government has submitted the 'Protection of Religion and Honor Bill' to the People's Majlis, introducing provisions that allow defamation charges to be brought for posts shared on social media. Under the bill, individuals can be fined between MVR 50,000 and MVR 500,000 if found guilty of damaging another person's honor through spoken words, drawings, hints, or social media posts. The bill specifies that defamation charges can be brought even for hints or drawings attributed to a person. However, statements made by members during Majlis sessions and committee meetings are exempt from prosecution under this bill. In a separate development, the government has also submitted a Real Estate Bill to provide special exemptions for the Rasmalé project. The bill includes a 'Surrender and Re-grant' model, which critics say allows lease agreements to expire indefinitely, contrary to the 99-year maximum lease period stipulated in the Constitution. North Malé constituency member Hussein Shereef stated he will not support anything that brings harm to the religion and the country. President Muizzu declined to comment on the legal loophole during a press conference but stated the project will proceed in a manner ensuring the country's political power and the rights of future generations. Social service provider Ahmed Ali Manik has called for a public vote to gain citizen consent for the Rasmalé project. Additionally, the government has submitted amendments to the Immigration Law, granting the government full authority to determine visa quotas without parliamentary involvement. A Presidential Commission investigating the maritime area between the Maldives and Mauritius has seen its chairman and one member replaced, with Abdul Aziz Yusuf appointed as the new chairman and a three-month deadline set. The Bank of Maldives (BML) has halted transactions with Russia, adding the country to its list of restricted remittance destinations. A new state-owned company, 'Maldivians' Resort Share Corporation', with 70% government share, has been established to develop resorts aimed at sharing profits with all Maldivian citizens annually. In sports, the Maldives futsal team lost 8-3 to China in the final of the China International Futsal Tournament, finishing third. Meanwhile, midfielder Hamza Choudhury, who plays for English club Sheffield United, has joined the Bangladesh national team for the SAFF Championship. A 41-year-old Maldivian man was found dead inside a parked pickup truck in Husney Gollhi, Malé. Police are investigating the circumstances. President Muizzu has defended the policy of implementing the death penalty, stating that opposition to it is not a problem for the government.