Former President and MDP chairperson Mohamed Nasheed has called on councilors from the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) to oppose a proposed amendment to the Decentralization Act.

The amendment, submitted by independent Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannaan Aboobakr, would allow the government to remove land from council jurisdiction to implement development projects.

In a post on X, Nasheed said PNC MPs had already surrendered their own powers and were now facing the consequences. He argued that the proposed amendment represented the next step in reducing the powers of local councils.

"I hope the PNC councilors will also protest alongside the MDP when the Decentralization Act strips councils of their powers," Nasheed said.

The proposed amendment would revise provisions governing land within council jurisdictions by allowing the cabinet to remove land from a council's authority if it is required for a government development project.

Under the proposal, once the cabinet allocates land or property for such a project, it would come under the full jurisdiction of the state.

Councilors from the opposition MDP have expressed concern over the proposed changes, arguing that they would weaken the authority of local councils.