Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan has requested that no lies that can incite civil unrest be spread about the Rasmale' project Abu Dhabi's Eagle Hills is set to take on.
Ihusaan's response was to a Facebook post by Zamzam Farish which reads that the Rasmale' project poses danger to Maldives' Islamic unity, and that Eagle Hills Chairman Mohamed Alabbar's own security detail being given Rasmale' instead of Maldives' security powers is not acceptable.
Ihusaan stated the Maldivian state's sovereign power will be exercised on every inch of the Maldivian region and that those areas will have the full legal power of Maldives' law enforcement bodies. He also stated that the current government will not come to any other decision.
While highlighting that he has also sworn an oath to lay down his life to defend Maldives, Ihusaan gave his assurance that the current government would never do anything to even slightly endanger Maldives' security and protection.
"I am also someone who has sworn an oath to lay down his life to defend Maldives. I give my total assurance that the current government would never do anything to even slightly endanger Maldives' security and protection," said Minister Ihusaan.
The minister went on to say that a part of Rasmale' is a project that is underway on a commercial basis. While stating that more than 200 islands have been awarded for tourism, agriculture and industrial efforts, Ihusaan said they alone are in charge of security measures on all the islands.
Ihusaan went on to say that if a situation occurs where the police have to exercise their legal obligation, it will be done the same way on Rasmale' as how the police would do it anywhere else in the country. He also said that if the type of project dictates they would have to establish themselves on the island, that is how it will be done without any disruptions.
"However, the police do their job if a situation occurs where they have to exercise their legal obligation. It is done in Rasmale' as well. That is how it is done if the type of project dictates they would have to establish themselves on the island. There will be no disruptions towards that," wrote Ihusaan on Facebook.
And so, Ihusaan appealed to not spread false information that would incite civil unrest, and if anyone is unclear on any information regarding the subject matter, they should clarify information via those who are informed.
"I request false information regarding national security is not spread while false information about the project that would incite civil unrest is being spread. If you are lacking information, clarify it via those who are informed."
Many have been expressing concern on social media regarding the government's decision to award 500 hectares of land from Rasmale', where Fushidhiggaru Falhu is being reclaimed and developed, to Eagle Hills.
While opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed concern regarding the Rasmale' project, the government has said that 5,000 housing units (worth around USD 500 million or MVR 7.7 billion) will be given in advance to the state even before practical work on the project begins, under the agreement made between the government and Eagle Hills.
The government has stated that all funds generated from selling properties in this project will be deposited into an escrow account in the Maldives under government control, which will significantly alleviate the dollar shortage facing the country and greatly facilitate the central bank in strengthening official reserves.
It was also noted that no duty concessions or tax reliefs have been granted under the SEZ Act or Tourism Act, and this is an important decision finalized to ensure the state fully receives TGST and other applicable taxes.
