96 massage parlors closed since December operation: President

The government has closed 96 massage parlors in Male' since launching an operation on 9 December to crack down on establishments allegedly being used as fronts for prostitution, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said.

In a post on X, President Muizzu said the closures were part of an ongoing effort to shut down massage parlors operating outside the purpose for which they were registered.

“It is a sad fact that such places continue to operate because there are users,” the president said.

President Muizzu said addressing what he described as social ills required changes in people’s intentions, actions and attitudes. He added that some expatriates had been arrested and deported as part of the operation, which he said aimed to make the Maldives a “clean” country in every sense.

The president said the operation had produced results in a short period because the government acted swiftly on public feedback.

He added that his administration would continue to consider public views and address issues within existing legal procedures, describing such feedback as “very positive”.