Shamheed calls for separate council for Hulhumale'

South Hulhumale' MDP MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed has called for a separate council for Hulhumale, citing that Hulhumale' is characteristically different from Male' and that it should be locally governed by people who live there and are familiar with the land.

He posted on social media yesterday, stating that there is an opportunity for a Male'-majority council to conduct themselves in a manner that does not fully act in the best interests of Hulhumale'. Hulhumale' being run by a different city is not practical either, said Shamheed.

"This is the time to empower Hulhumale' with its own council. I call upon President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the Parliament to include this in the amendments to the Decentralization Act," said Shamheed.

Shamheed presented this recommendation a few days after the Addu referendum vote where Addu Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo voted for separate councils.

Regarding the Addu Hulhudhoo, Meedho and Feydhoo referendum vote, 67 percent of voters from Hulhudhoo voted for a separate island council. 83 percent of voters from Meedhoo voted for a separate island council as well. However, 73 percent of voters from Feydhoo voted against a separate island council.

Some of the people who reposted Shamheed's post defended his recommendation. They said that it is an important step that needs to be taken.