Year in Review – Top News Events of 2025
From political realignments and judicial upheavals to landmark social reforms and headline-grabbing crimes, 2025 emerged as a year of major turning points for the Maldives, with developments that stirred national debate and reshaped the country’s political, legal and social landscape. As parties regrouped ahead of future elections and the economy showed both resilience and vulnerability, these were the moments that came to define 2025.
Here’s a look back at the top news stories that made headlines across the Maldives in 2025
January – PNC Fraudulent Membership
The People’s National Congress has overtaken the MDP to become the Maldives’ largest political party with more than 74,000 members, according to the latest Elections Commission of Maldives data, though the surge sparked allegations earlier last year due to allegations of fraudulent registrations. The ECM had suspended membership verification in January while investigating complaints and plans to digitalise party registrations through eFaas to prevent future irregularities.
April – Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) Cigarette Heist
The two 40-foot containers, stolen on 26 April 2025 from the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) Hulhumalé port, contained 1,360 cases of cigarettes — about 13.6 million sticks — with estimated duties of MVR 122 million. Police said the theft of two cigarette containers from Maldives Ports Limited was carried out by swapping them with duplicate containers, with the originals taken to Thilafushi, dismantled and discarded. Nine people have been arrested in connection with the case, including the masterminds, those involved in the swap and the vessel’s captain, after investigators found the vessel’s name and registration had been altered.
April – Youth-led Protests Highlight Nepotism and Mismanagement in Malé Fall Case
In April 2025, a young woman’s fall from a building in Malé sparked nationwide outrage, with youth-led protests demanding accountability and justice. The case exposed a rise in nepotism and the use of authority to interfere with high-profile investigations. Raud Ahmed Zilal, a central figure, was briefly imprisoned for failing to assist the victim, while procedural errors meant he faced no charges for other alleged offences. The controversy prompted the police commissioner’s resignation and the formation of a presidential commission, which found no evidence of deliberate foul play but highlighted severe negligence and recommended reforms to prevent similar failures.
May – Supreme Court Law Change Removes Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz
In May 2025, the Maldivian Parliament dismissed Supreme Court Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir over alleged misconduct, including influencing lower court decisions related to Azmiralda’s husband. The move, which followed a parliamentary vote and legislative changes reducing the Supreme Court’s size, sparked concerns from the judges and international observers about due process violations, political interference, and threats to judicial independence.
June – The Democrats Members Return to MDP
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) welcomed the decision by former president Mohamed Nasheed and members of The Democrats to rejoin the party, two years after splitting, a move aimed at strengthening the opposition ahead of the 2026 local council elections. MDP leaders unanimously accepted the return, with party officials calling for unity and a stronger opposition to hold the government accountable.
July 2025 – Velana International Airport Opens New Terminal
On July 26, 2025, the Maldives ushered in a new era of air travel with the opening of the state-of-the-art international terminal at Velana International Airport (MLE). Renowned as a global luxury travel destination, the Maldives has elevated its aviation infrastructure to match its world-class hospitality, marking a significant milestone in modernizing its primary gateway.
The phased launch of this cutting-edge terminal, celebrated during the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day, reflects the nation’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and delivering an unparalleled travel experience.
September – Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act after it was passed by Parliament with 60 votes in favour and one against. The law empowers the Commission to fine broadcasters between MVR 50,000 and MVR 250,000, and news organisations between MVR 5,000 and MVR 100,000.
Journalists protested outside Parliament during the vote, calling for the bill’s withdrawal. Tensions rose after reporters were forcibly removed from a closed committee session, a move lawmakers said protected privacy, but critics said harmed transparency. Several journalists were even arrested during the protest, but were later released.
October 2025 – Referendum in Addu City
Addu City’s administrative structure was reorganised after a referendum on October 25, 2025, in which the residents of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo voted to establish separate island councils, while Feydhoo chose to remain part of the Addu City Council.
November – Maldives Generational Ban on Tobacco Products
The Maldives implemented a landmark generational tobacco ban, prohibiting anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, from buying, using, or being sold tobacco. The move goes down as a first for a nation with such a permanent prohibition for future generations, effective November 1. The move follows a ban on e-cigarettes, vaping, and tobacco advertising to create a tobacco-free future.
December – Maldives Records Highest-Ever Tourist Arrivals in 2025
The Maldives recorded a historic year for tourism in 2025, welcoming a record 2,246,516 visitors, a 9.8 percent increase from 2024. Arrivals grew steadily throughout the year, with December setting a new monthly record of 224,455 tourists. China remained the largest source market, followed by Russia and the UK, while visitor spending exceeded USD 5.4 billion, marking the highest tourism revenue on record and a 15.8 percent rise year-on-year.
