President Dr Mohamed Muizzu last night has said the government will submit its agreement with UAE-based Eagle Hills for the Rasmale’ development to Parliament, insisting that nothing untoward will be allowed to happen under the project.

Speaking on PSM’s Nation Chat programme last night, President Muizzu said the government would also submit a bill to introduce a special law governing real estate tourism.

He said the agreement with Eagle Hills would be referred to the relevant parliament committee, following criticism over the limited details disclosed about the proposed 500-hectare development, which includes properties to be sold to foreign buyers.

“A responsible government cannot do this more perfectly. The people’s representatives are elected to Parliament. So that is the same as the agreement being sent to the people,” he said.

President Muizzu dismissed criticism of the project by opposition politicians, accusing them of attempting to create unfounded fears to prevent the investment from proceeding. He said the development would bring benefits to the Maldives and that there was no reason for the public to be concerned.

The President said the project would operate under Maldivian law and remain under the authority of state institutions, including the police. He said the agreement would include legal provisions to prevent activities he considered unacceptable.

President Muizzu said alcohol, pork and casinos would not be permitted in Rasmale’, adding that mosques would be established and the call to prayer would be heard five times a day.

“This is a place where people live. I am certainly not going to allow anything untoward to happen. So legally, I am going to include all of these things in the agreement,” he said.

He added that Muslims from Arab countries and elsewhere had expressed interest in purchasing properties in the development, saying the project could attract Maldivians and foreign Muslims seeking to live in such an environment.

President Muizzu also said buyers from any one country would be limited to a maximum of 25 percent of the properties. He reiterated that the sale or rental of properties to Israeli citizens would be prohibited and that Israeli citizens would not be allowed to visit the development.