The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) National Council has passed a resolution calling for a referendum on the proposed Maldives Water Front and Marina project in Rasmale’, and that the party will take direct action if the government does not hold a public vote.
The project is being developed by UAE-based Eagle Hills.
The resolution was passed with the support of 57 of the 58 members present at the National Council meeting. The meeting began after a brief delay due to a lack of quorum.
During the debate, former Economic Minister and former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail said Rasmale’ had been reclaimed for housing at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, and expressed concern over reports that the land was being handed to a foreign company.
Fayyaz said the government would not receive a share of the project and that the land was being given away without payment.
He said the main concern was whether the lease could be extended beyond its initial 99-year term.
“I believe the biggest issue we have to think about is the extension of the 99 years. If the lease term is 99 years, there is no problem. There is already room for that in the laws and Constitution of Maldives,” he said.
However, Fayyaz said any provision allowing the lease to be extended indefinitely should be considered carefully by the public. He said the government should hold a referendum before making such a decision.
“If the people support it, there is no problem,” he said.
Former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, who has expressed interest in contesting the MDP presidential primary in 2028, described the Rasmale’ project as a fraud.
He accused the government of misleading the public over the reclamation of Fulhidhiggarufalhu, now renamed as Rasmale’. Shahid said the lagoon had been reclaimed at a cost of USD 800 million to provide housing for Maldivians, but that concerns had since emerged over the possibility of the land being given to foreign investors free of charge.
Shahid also warned that the project could fuel hostility towards neighboring countries.
“The biggest problem we face as the government is doing this is that it is creating space for fitnah among us. It is creating hatred in people's hearts towards our neighboring countries,” he said.
He called on the government to clarify the terms of the agreement with Eagle Hills and make the agreement public.
Several National Council members stressed that the MDP was not opposed to foreign investment or foreign countries, but objected to agreements that were not transparent.
What does the resolution say?
The resolution was submitted by MDP Kolamaafushi Constituency President Mahfooz Saeed and supported by Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir.
It makes nine calls on the government, including:
- Publish the commercial terms of the Rasmale’ project agreement.
- Hold a referendum to determine whether the project should be handed over to Eagle Hills.
- Suspend the transfer of rights over Rasmale’ land to Eagle Hills or any third party pending the outcome of the referendum.
- Respect and implement the people's decision following the vote.
- Allow the MDP to monitor the project and hold the government accountable.
- Enable MDP MPs to pursue relevant action through Parliament.
- Organize party-led public awareness campaigns on what the party considers the risks of the agreement.
- Take direct action if the government does not respond to the demands.
- Work with political parties, associations and individuals willing to join the MDP's activities.
The resolution was passed despite concerns raised by MDP Chairperson and former President Mohamed Nasheed, who criticized the party's approach to the project in a post on X yesterday.
Nasheed said the MDP was embracing xenophobia and fueling public anger through extreme nationalistic rhetoric, which he described as a departure from the principles on which the party was founded.
He also questioned the decision to convene the National Council amid differences within the party over how to respond to the Rasmale’ project.
Nasheed said the party had already issued a statement outlining its position on the Eagle Hills project and should continue to follow that position. He warned MPs against taking actions that contradict the party's established stance.
Nasheed's comments drew concern from some members of the National Council WhatsApp group, with several arguing that the party should take a firm position against the project and resist its implementation.
