Singapore bars Maldives tourism tycoon from leaving over Hilton dues

Singapore authorities on Thursday barred Maldives' tourism tycoon Ahmed Siyam Mohamed from leaving the country over millions in dues to Hilton Group.

According to sources, Siyam who is also a long serving lawmaker travelled to Singapore on Monday to appear before a court after his company Sun Travels failed to honor an arbitration ruling to pay USD 24 million to Hilton.

Siyam's Sun Travels annulled the agreement with Hilton Group to release Noonu atoll Irufushi in 2013. The 221-bed luxury resort was leased to the international hotel chain in 2009 which was later rebranded Sun Siyam Irufushi.

The Hilton Group filed arbitration proceedings in Singapore, initially claiming USD 70 million in damages. However, the Singapore Arbitration Court ordered Sun Travel to pay USD 24 million after ruling in favor of the Hilton Group.

However, Siyam's company had failed to honor the ruling, prompting Hilton Group to file a case with Singapore's first appellate court.

According to sources, Siyam had traveled to Singapore to attend a hearing on the case before the authorities barred him from leaving the country.

Following Singapore's arbitration ruling, Siyam had also filed a case with Maldives' Civil Court which he won after the court ordered Hilton Group to pay USD 16 million in damages to Sun Travel.

However, the lower court ruling was later overturned on appeal. The Hilton Group then filed its own case with the Civil Court to enforce the arbitration ruling which it won.

Govt pleads Siyam's release citing "prominence"

Maldives Democratic Alliance (MDA), led by Siyam, recently endorsed incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's re-election bid in the upcoming presidential election slated for September this year.

Siyam had been on President Solih's campaign trail before he left for Singapore on Monday.

The Edition has learned that Maldives' foreign ministry has sent a letter urging the Singapore court to consider Siyam's long list of "achievements and prominence" as a lawmaker, politician and businessman before deciding on his request to lift the travel ban.

The court is expected to make a ruling on Siyams' appeal to lift his travel ban later on Thursday.