A resolution has been submitted to the National Council of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) calling to hold a public referendum to gauge public opinion on the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project scheduled to be carried out in Rasmalé by UAE's Eagle Hills, and to take to direct action if the government fails to respond to the call.
As a meeting of the main opposition party's National Council is scheduled to be held tonight, significant differences of opinion have emerged within the party regarding the Rasmalé project.
The resolution scheduled for debate in tonight's meeting was submitted by Mahfooz Saeed, President of the Kolamaafushi constituency. The proposal was seconded by Mauroof Zakir, MP for the Kendhoo constituency.
The resolution proposes calling on the government regarding nine matters. Accordingly, it includes calling for the publication of the commercial terms agreement related to the Rasmalé project and holding a public referendum on handing over the project to Eagle Hills.
In addition:
- Not to take any action that creates rights over Rasmalé land for Eagle Hills or a third party prior to receiving the results of the public referendum.
- To act according to the choice made by the public in a vote taken to gauge public opinion regarding the project.
- For MDP to monitor and hold the government accountable in connection with the project.
- To undertake work that can be done inside the Parliament through MDP MPs.
- For the party to take the lead in organizing and conducting public awareness activities regarding the risks of the transaction with Eagle Hills.
- For the party to take the lead and engage in direct action if the government does not respond to these matters.
- To work in collaboration with political parties, NGOs, and individuals who wish to join the activities conducted by MDP.
As MDP's National Council prepares to debate this resolution, the party's Chairperson, former President Mohamed Nasheed, expressed concern and posted on X today.
He said the MDP was founded on principles of democratic reform, openness and peaceful coexistence with people who hold differing views.
“Now we are seeing more than ever that we are embracing xenophobia and feeding public outrage with extreme patriotic views. This is an abandonment of the principles on which the MDP was founded and the political identity of the party,” Nasheed said.
While differences of opinion within the party emerged regarding how MDP should act in connection with the Rasmalé project, when members began requesting a National Council meeting, Chairperson Nasheed stated that it is not right for MDP to oppose Eagle Hills.
Nasheed requested to proceed with the position MDP had previously issued in a statement regarding the Eagle Hills project. He also warned Parliament members not to act contrary to that stand.
Following this message from Nasheed, several members expressed concern in the National Council WhatsApp group. They believe MDP should not yield to this project and that MDP must work to oppose it.
With the debate on the resolution looming, former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, who is contesting for MDP's presidential ticket, also stated that dragging friendly nations and long-standing development partners into internal domestic politics is not in the national interest, and that relations with those nations must be maintained above party policy.
