Ruling People's National Congress Chairperson and Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla has responded to former President Abdulla Yameen's criticism of the Rasmale' marina project, and asserted that the project will commence soon.
In a post shared on X today, Yameen accused UAE developer Eagle Hills of aiming to create 'a Jewish settlement' in Rasmale', stating "we have nothing but disdain for this project", and calling on them to scrap the project.
Abdul Raheem responded to the post on X and stated that the Maldivian people are far more intelligent and wise to 'dance to just any tune'. He said that Maldivians think deeply of their nation, and are well-versed in the difference between good and bad.
"With God's gracious will, the Rasmale' project will not be stopped. God willing, this major project will commence soon during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's term. This project will be carried out in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of the Republic of Maldives. In the future, Maldivians will receive true benefits from this," Abdul Raheem wrote.
Abdul Raheem also posed several questions to Yameen. He asked what the difference is between Yameen's attempts to block the Rasmale' project from what the MDP had done during Yameen's administration to block the Faafu atoll project. He asked Yameen where his current remarks cross over with what he had said then.
"At the time, he [Yameen] said that MDP, through their greed for power, were being traitorous to the country and its people. Today, with that same greed, isn't he being traitorous to the nation and its people? Through his greed for power, has he gone beyond awareness of his actions and words?"
Yameen has been an ardent critic of the Rasmale' marina project. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, meanwhile, generally expressed concerns regarding the failure to publicize the terms and details of the agreement with Eagle Hills. Former President Mohamed Nasheed's outlook on the project is that, in principle, it is right. He, too, stated that details of the agreement must be released, and expressed a preference to move the project outside of the Greater Male' area.
