The Cabinet has today decided to allow Maldivian police to use less-lethal weapons to curtail gang violence in the Maldives.

The decision comes after deliberating on a paper presented to the Cabinet by the Office of the National Security Advisor on the matter, raising concern over the continuous increase of gang violence, street mugging and other serious criminal activities that risk people’s lives and social stability.

Discussing the paper, members of the Cabinet noted that existing police fire power to stop gang violence was not appropriate for current situation compared to some of the more lethal weapons used by gangs.

They also noted that, in a democratic country, granting police the power and capability to discharge their legal duties to maintain internal stability and security, and protect the economy, was necessary for national security.

At today’s meeting, the Cabinet has decided to issue sovereign guarantees to help individual home owners to fast track delayed completion of residential buildings due to lack of finance.

Cabinet members underlined that construction of many homes in Male’ have been slowed down or discontinued due to lack of finance.

They underscored that, providing affordable housing being one of the key government pledges, the government should assist individual home owners to complete construction of their homes that were slowed down or discontinued due to lack of funding.

Ministry of Housing and Environment will announce the details and the procedures to apply for guarantees following the Cabinet’s decision to issue sovereign guarantees to such home owners to ease the housing problem in Male’.

In addition, at today’s meeting, the Cabinet has decided to propose an amendment to the Maldives Import and Export Act in order to increase import tariffs on tobacco, alcohol, pork and certain plastic products imported to the Maldives.

Further, the Cabinet deliberated on a regulation drafted by the Ministry of Human Resources, Youth and Sports on resolving industrial disputes.

The regulation covers the guidelines for employees to use their freedom guaranteed by the Constitution to stop work and to strike in order to protest.

They decided to publish the regulation in the government Gazette as soon as possible after making necessary amendments.

The Cabinet also today approved the Maldives’ participation in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.