Adhaalath Party's former President Sheikh Imran Abdulla began heading a movement yesterday under the name "Maldivian land for Maldivians", specifically against the awarding of Rasmale' to United Arab Emirates (UAE) company Eagle Hills for the development of the "Maldives Marine and Water Front" project.

Imran had been in the position of Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology during the previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government and had gone to Thailand to run a business there. Imran, and a few other political figures, announced this movement yesterday during a press conference.

Opposition MDP MPs Hussain Ziyadh (Fittey), Ameen Faisal, Mauroof Zakir, opposition People's National Front (PNF) members Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal, Ismail Zariyandh and lawyer Ali Hussain took part in the press conference.

Imran stated Rasmale' was created by spending USD meant for the needs of the public in order to find a solution to the housing crisis, and yet it is about to be given in such a way that it will empower Zionists.

Imran went on to say that many people held peaceful protests against Rasmale' being awarded to Eagle Hills, with his movement meant to bring all those voices together.

Imran called on political parties, individuals, entrepreneurs, associations and those in the security service to join his movement, and said it will stand strong to stop the government from handing Rasmale' over.

Imran was one of the leaders of the movement against handing over the management of Velana International Airport to India's GMR company during MDP's first government. That movement was the main reason former President Mohamed Nasheed's government stepped down from office. Since then, he has stood by MDP politically, and worked to change former President Abdulla Yameen's government as well.

While denying allegations from Imran and other political figures, Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Abdulla Muththalib stated that ownership of Rasmale's land will not fall to any party other than the Maldivian state.

"No part of Rasmale' can be bought, sold or changed among one another without permission from the government. When every property is sold, it is to be filed to the government. The government will look into the party it is being given to, and will have the choice to grant permission or not," said the minister.