Anti-extremist unit on Singapore model; will be done by June: Imran

A special unit to house extremists separately from other prisoners at Maafushi prison is being built based on a similar facility model set up in Singapore and the work will be completed by June, home minister Imran Abdulla said on Wednesday.

Imran made the remarks in response to a question raised by Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde).

Referring to the recent report issued by Transparency Maldives on Maafushi Prison, MP Waheed said that the prison has become a "bed of extremism". He asked what the ministry was doing in the wake of the report.

Replying to a question, Imran said the entire prison system faces various challenges on a daily basis from hard-line prisoners. He pointed out that there are incidents where some nights the prison officials are kept awake.

"We are currently in the process of developing a high-security wing at Maafushi prison to directly accommodate such extremists. I am hopeful that the wing will be completed by June or July this year," Imran said in response to a question from MP Waheed.

"We have designed it based on the way it has been designed to accommodate such people, like in Singapore, and to match the resources available in our country."

"I went to Singapore and saw such a facility there," Imran said. Pointing out that the facility was built by the country for USD 55 million (MVR 402 million), Imran said the Home Ministry had received a budget of MVR 35 million for the construction of the facility in the country.

"Then imagine what we have to come up with. However, considering the financial position of the country, I believe it will be a sufficient facility to accommodate such persons," Imran said.

Replying to a question further, Imran said:

"But now, we are developing tools to assess extremists, especially those who are radicalised, to the maximum extent that they must be separated from other prisoners," Imran said.