An official four-day visit by Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu to Malaysia has been clouded by protests in the island republic, demanding justice for 21-year-old student, Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed.
Maldives media The Edition reported conflicting accounts of the incident that left Hawwa with serious injuries. She was found unconscious on the roof of a warehouse in the capital Malé on April 18.
During a press conference on April 24, the Maldives Police Service released CCTV footage from inside the building where Hawwa was last seen with a man.
Maldives’s police reportedly concluded that the fall was accidental, despite speculations on social media that alleged the victim was sexually assaulted and then thrown from the building.
The woman was reportedly last seen at a party on April 17, the evening before her fall, with seven other young people believed to be connected to “influential figures” in government.
The portal later identified the man as Raudh Ahmed Zilal, who has since been arrested.
The Edition highlighted inconsistencies between the police’s statements and the footage, triggering accusations of “victim blaming” after authorities publicly named Hawwa while withholding information about other individuals involved.
Hawwa was initially treated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in the Maldives before being flown to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night (April 26) at the request of her family living here.
Malaysiakini sighted a letter from a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur, confirming Hawwa’s admission after an evaluation of her medical report.
The letter, signed by the hospital’s medical services and liaison head, stated Hawwa’s clinical diagnosis, which includes multiple fractures and haemorrhage.
It is understood that the diagnosis refers to internal bleeding in the space between the brain and the membrane surrounding it, as well as bone fractures in the neck, ribs, thigh, and groin areas.
The Maldives government pledged to bear Hawwa’s medical expenses, but her family reportedly said the US$25,000 (RM109,000) allocated was insufficient, prompting an urgent fundraiser.
Allegations of cover-ups
Meanwhile, Transparency Maldives, together with nine other organisations, issued a joint statement on April 26 raising serious concerns about the police investigation.
“Given the persistent failures of law enforcement authorities in similar cases, it is inevitable that public calls questioning significant taxpayer funds and resource allocation to these institutions have increased,” said the group.
They added that “continued youth-led protests raise legitimate concerns over delays in investigation and allegations of cover-ups to protect individuals or families with influence, wealth, and power, at the expense of justice, national laws, and international obligations of the State.”
The groups stressed that the case illustrated a “pervasive culture of impunity, patronage, and selective justice” affecting public trust in law enforcement institutions.
This latest controversy follows Transparency Maldives’ earlier criticisms over alleged “unconstitutional amendments” made by Muizzu’s administration since he took office as Maldives’ eighth president on Nov 17, 2023.
Muizzu’s M’sia visit
Amid the tensions at home, Muizzu and his delegation today were accorded an official welcoming ceremony by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya.
According to Bernama, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of three memoranda of understanding and two exchanges of notes, covering various sectors aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation.
Muizzu is also scheduled to be conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Islamic Leadership and Madani Development by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) tomorrow. The degree will be conferred by IIUM’s constitutional head, the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
However, a petition launched by IIUM alumni in the Maldives opposing the conferment has so far garnered 225 signatures.
Muizzu is expected to deliver a public lecture entitled “The Intellectual Renaissance: Unveiling the Scientific and Modern Developments of Islamic Civilisation” in conjunction with the event. - Mkini
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