Central Hithadhoo Constituency MP Ahmed Azaan has criticized former President Abdulla Yameen Yameen's policies for being against the Rasmale' project being awarded to UAE's Eagle Hills.

Yameen heavily criticized the project during last night's rally at the Artificial Beach protesting the Rasmale' project. He said that the next government would stop the project and that no compensation would be given.

Azaan posted on X regarding Yameen's comments, highlighting the project on a part of Faafu Atoll that was awarded to the royal family of Saudi Arabia.

Azaan said that there was an amendment made to the Constitution when Yameen wanted to 'sell' Faafu Atoll, and that it was going to be done with the inclusion of a certain level of investment and 70 percent of permanent ownership (freehold). Azaan also wrote that there were no safeguards for each area that can be purchased, where even Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can make transactions.

"...Everything was good at the time. It was a "mega investment". Now Yameen is against it because the Rasmale' project does not give permanent ownership," wrote Azaan.

Azaan stated that the Rasmale' project is being managed with strong safeguard steps included in the Immigration Bill and the Real Estate Business Bill.

"When Yameen was the President, including permanent ownership of plots for investors was a visionary strong policy. Now however, investments that do not offer permanent ownership such as this is an issue. It is a very two-faced policy," said Azaan.

According to the Real Estate Business Bill submitted to the Parliament, an Integrated Real Estate Zone can only be leased to a master developer for a maximum of 99 years. The bill also states that properties in the zones can be sold under leasehold rights for a period of 99 years under a surrender and regrant model.

Under the Maldives Immigration Act, those who are prohibited to enter Maldives, litigants who are a part of an international court case and those who have an arrest warrant in their name from international courts cannot purchase, lease or exchange properties in the zone.

The bill further states it will be illegal for any business or activity deemed forbidden under Islamic Shariah to be operated in the zone.

Saudi Arabia decided to not move forward with the Faafu Atoll project and halted it due to the protests that took place during former President Yameen's government, when the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) at the time held protests and campaigns regarding the project.