NEWS FROM THE UAE
Excerpts from UAE Dailies

Thousands evacuated in Fujairah and Kalba

Fujairah/Kalba - Jun 07:THOUSANDS of people were evacuated from coastal areas and nearby farms and villages in Fujairah and Kalba in Sharjah yesterday, as strong high-speed winds, high tidal waves and severe sand storms battered the UAE’s East Coast in the wake of Cyclone Gonu advancing up the Arabian Gulf.

While Fujairah remained the worst hit yesterday and its port was closed indefinitely as a precautionary measure, the situation in neighbouring Kalba worsened last night as prevailing rough weather conditions in the area intensified — prompting a quick evacuation of local inhabitants by the Army, Police, Civil Defence, Red Crescent and other personnel mobilised to counter the contingency.

No casualties were reported till late last night although there were reports of heavy damage in the affected areas. The full extent of the damage has yet to be estimated.

The UAE Government and local authorities in the country’s seven emirates remained on heightened alert yesterday, even as met office sources reported that all coastal areas of the capital, Abu Dhabi, and parts of Sharjah are likely to be affected today.

Dubai and most parts of the Northern Emirates, the sources added, will continue to witness, “unsettled weather conditions and isolated thunder storms.”

In Fujairah, even as huge tidal waves lashed across the coastal sandbag barricades flooding main streets along the sea front and submerging homes in the vicinity, those evacuated were accommodated in school campuses and other safe buildings.

Vehicular traffic in the emirate was totally disrupted and a number of boats alone the beach were either heavily damaged or else sank where they were anchored. Several beach hotels were closed down, even as flight operations were disrupted.

All roads leading to and from Kalba were sealed by the police and people advised to use alternative routes.

In Ajman, the local Municipality and Planning Department authorities raised the alert level and round-the-clock arrangements were made to tackle any emergency situation.

In Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s top oil exporting companies ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) reported its production processes and port operations had not been affected, although measures have been taken to meet any eventuality.

Health authorities in all emirates have also cautioned residents that all precautions should be taken and people should try and remain indoors if possible, in view of the “current unsettled weather conditions in the Gulf region.”

Meanwhile, the US Navy forces in the Gulf announced yesterday that they were ready “to provide any humanitarian assistance needed by any country in the region.”

KHALEEJ TIMES

UAE’s East Coast braves high waves, heavy rains

ABU DHABI / DUBAI / AJMAN — JUN 07: The UAE’s east coast will continue to experience rough seas and heavy rains until cyclone Gonu reaches Fujairah’s inland, a spokesperson for the Dubai Meteorological Office said yesterday.

“As long as the centre of the storm is in the sea area, it will remain strong because it’s building up energy. But once it has reached the land, we can expect it to subside and dissipate within 36 hours,” said Dr S.K. Gupta, duty forecaster at the Met Office.

Cyclone Gonu, which hit Oman on Tuesday, has been moving towards the northeasterly direction, bringing with it heavy rains and high waves of up to 10 feet. Dubai and neighbouring emirates are not likely to feel the effects of the cyclone but Fujairah has been badly hit as early as yesterday.

However, despite being spared from heavy rainfall, Dubai and most parts of the Northern Emirates will have unsettled weather conditions characterised by strong winds and blown dusts, with the risk of isolated thunderstorm in the evenings, according to the Met Office.

Sea conditions in Dubai will also be unsettled as winds blow offshore towards the northeasterly direction at 15 to 20 knots with waves reaching a height of four to seven feet.

Gupta said the public should avoid any sea-related activities until the weather settles in the next couple of days.

Meanwhile, the Ajman Department of Municipality and Planning has intensified precautionary measures round the clock in preparation for any emergency situations in case Gonu hits the emirate.

Ahmed Al Muhairi, Head of the Emergency Section, said the Municipality was ready to tackle any problem that may arise due to the storm. Around 45 water pump machines and emergency vehicles are on stand-by.

Meanwhile, cyclone Gonu, which hit the Gulf of Oman, did not impact the oil production and transportation activities of world’s top oil exporting company, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), said a company spokesman. “It was business as usual,” said a spokesman for Adnoc.

Speaking on crisis management preparedness, he said the company had a standard procedure that each port maintains a close monitoring of authentic weather forecasts for possible deterioration which may affect the shipping in the area and the port operations.

Representatives of the Petroleum Ports Authority in each specific port always apply the appropriate weather criteria and precautions.

The weather behaviour prevailing in the area indicates that the impact of Gonu is weakening, the Adnoc spokesman said.

“There is no impact on Adnoc production operations and offshore platforms, while proactive measures have been taken for any eventuality,” he added.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Shaikh Sultan issues new tenancy law for Sharjah

SHARJAH — JUN 07: His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, issued the new tenancy law for the emirate regulating the relations between tenants and landlords of both residential and commercial properties.

The new law consisting of 32 articles prevents landlords from increasing rent before the elapse of three years from the first signing of the tenancy contract, then two years for any additional increase.

Chapter one of the tenancy law gives definitions of the terms used in the law while chapter two enumerates the properties which will not come under the jurisdiction of the law.

The law stipulates that any tenancy agreement should be in written form and should be authenticated by the municipality or the competent authorities with payment of a fixed fee. The contract should specify the exact address of the property.

Article 9 of the law stipulates that the landlord should guarantee that the property is given on rent as per the specifications mentioned in the contract and in case any amenities found lacking, the tenant has the right to claim its addition or maintenance.

Articles 10 and 11 stipulate the obligations of a tenant according to which a tenant will have no right to make any alteration to the property or misuse it for any other purposes.

According to article 12, the landlord will have no right to ask the tenant to vacate the property before the expiry of a period of three years from the first signing of the contract unless the tenant is refusing to pay the rent.

If the landlord is refusing to receive the rent from the tenant, the latter can deposit it with the municipality or the special tribunal set up to try the tenancy disputes.

The law also delineates the situations whereby a landlord can ask the tenant to leave the property and this includes total maintenance of the property with a valid permission from the municipality.

The landlord should also give a three months notice period for the tenant to leave in the permitted circumstances. If it is found that the landlord gave a false reason to evacuate the tenant, the latter can resort to litigation to get back the property until the expiry of the legal period.

Article 17 of the law stipulates that the change of ownership of any property should not be a reason to change the tenancy contracts until the expiry of the legal periods.

Article 20 defines the rules for subletting a property and says that it should be authenticated by a written approval from the landlord. Article 21 delineates the jurisdiction of tribunals set up to try the tenancy disputes and calls for speedy decisions in every case of dispute.

The tribunal will be consisted of a sitting judge appointed by the minister of justice and two experts. The rulings and decision issued by the tribunal will be binding on both parties of disputes but can be challenged before an appeal tribunal according to the rules specified in the law.

According to article 27, Executive Judge will enforce every decision taken by the tribunal. Article 32 stipulates penal measures against all those who violate the law.

KHALEEJ TIMES

‘There could be nearly a million illegal workers’

ABU DHABI — JUN 07: The number of workers involved in violation of residency and labour laws in the country could be nearly one million, authoritative sources told Khaleej Times.

This claim is way ahead of official statistics, which put the figure at about 300,000.

The official statistics do not take into account illegal immigrants who sneak into the country as well as those who arrived on visit and tourist visas but are working without a residence visa, sources said.

The sources said those who entered the country without residence visa work in farms, contracting companies and at work sites in far-flung areas.

The amnesty will encourage many illegal immigrants to come out of hiding and rectify their legal status in order to explore better job opportunities, the sources said.

Many workers and people expressed their delight over the decision saying that it serves the interest of the public, employees and employers, they  added.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Three referred to court for human-trafficking

DUBAI —JUN 07: The Dubai Public Prosecution on June 4 referred three Asian nationals to the Dubai Criminal Court on the charges of human trafficking and adultery.

The two men and a woman had allegedly “bought” a woman, also an Asian, for Dh4,500, and allegedly forced her into prostitution.

The Dubai Public Prosecution referred K. Sh.,  M. K, and Z. S to the court on the charges of exploiting the economic condition of the victim, K. S, and forcing her into prostitution.

K. Sh had allegedly “purchased” the victim from Z. S, who lives in the UAE, after she fled from her sponsor. Z. S, also a woman, had allegedly beaten up the victim to force her into prostitution. Police said during the investigation the three accused had confessed to the crime.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Wife says DJ is innocent
  
 
Dubai - Jun 07: Indian disc jockey Aqueel Ali Khan, who was held at Dubai International Airport on Sunday, appeared before Dubai Public Prosecution yesterday on charges of possessing and smuggling drugs.  He was arrested in Dubai on his arrival from India after security officials at Dubai Airport found two drug capsules, believed to be the drug ecstasy, in his bag.

The public prosecution has remanded him to further custody. Sources said the DJ was arrested by the anti-narcotics department and detained at the airport by police before being referred to the public prosecution yesterday.

Contrary to reports from India that said he was released after several hours of questioning, Khan is still in custody, sources confirmed.

The organisers of the musical event that the DJ was supposed to feature in said they have not been able to contact him since he arrived in Dubai.

“Our people were waiting at the airport to receive him. He cleared immigration and after that we do not know what happened,” said Naveen Rishi of Speed Entertainment. He said Khan’s mobile is switched off.

“I know that the minute his mobile is switched on or he is released, he will get in touch with me.

“All my text messages to him are yet to be delivered,” said Rishi, who is also a close friend of Khan.

Meanwhile, Farha Khan, wife of DJ Aqueel, told the media in India her husband had been released after his urine sample tested negative for drugs, but was barred from leaving the UAE.

“He is innocent, he has never taken any drugs,” said Farah, a jewellery designer and daughter of Bollywood actor-producer Sanjay Khan. “We know Dubai laws. Why would Aqeel carry drugs?” His family members also claimed he was trapped and the contraband was planted by a friend.

“My son-in-law is a decent guy who never touches anything like that.

“It was a prank played by a stupid so-called friend who planted 0.4 grams of a drug called ecstasy in his bag and then informed the police about it,” said Zareen Khan, DJ Aqueel’s mother-in-law.

Ashish Mehta, his lawyer, said no traces of ecstasy were found in his urine and blood samples, and they will fight for his release.

In 2005, Bollywood actor Vijay Raaz of MonsoonWedding fame and famous Indian fashion designer Prasad Bidappa were also detained in Dubai on similar charges.

DJ Aqueel, also popularly known as DJ Don, runs his own club, called Poison, in Mumbai. He is known for playing remixes from movies like Don and has scored the music for a few Bollywood flicks such as Shaadi No.1.

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