Council land list raises concerns after missing RCC-linked property
Reports in several newspapers last year stated that RCC had been awarded Heenamage.
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Concerns have been raised after the Male’ City Council’s newly published list of leased land in Male’ and Villimale’ did not include Heenamage, despite previous reports that Rasheed Carpentry and Construction (RCC) had been granted a long-term lease for the property nearly a year ago.
RCC is linked to Male’ Mayor Adam Azim. Its main shareholder, Abdul Rasheed and Family Pvt. Ltd., is owned by Adam Azim and his family. Mohamed Nazim, MP for Maafannu North and President of the Maldives National Party (MNP), is also a shareholder. The MNP is currently in coalition with the ruling PNC.
Reports in several newspapers last year stated that RCC had been awarded Heenamage. Nazim confirmed this in comments given to the media at the time, saying, “The land was obtained by us. We are now working on the drawings.”
Following the City Council’s publication of the land list on Thursday, former MP Ali Azim, who is contesting the MDP’s Male’ mayoral primary against Adam Azim, questioned the omission on X.
“Are you trying to deceive the people by removing land leased to RCC from the list gazetted on 20 November 2025?” he wrote.
Ali Azim has repeatedly alleged that Adam Azim is attempting to hide decisions made during his tenure as Mayor.
Adam Azim responded, saying he wished to see documentation supporting the claim. He stated that if Ali Azim’s statements were false, it would affect his credibility. Adam noted that anyone wishing to raise concerns about the list has 30 days to submit them to the City Council.
Former MP and former MDP Chairman Hassan Latheef then weighed in on X, pointing out that Nazim, an RCC shareholder, had publicly confirmed receiving the land.
“Are you saying the land has not been given to RCC? Please explain it clearly,” Hassan wrote.
The exchange continued, with Adam Azim again calling for documents and advising against making false claims. Hassan replied that he had simply asked a question as a citizen, and urged the Mayor to “calm down and read the post”.
The dispute reflects wider internal divisions within the MDP. Fayyaz Ismail, who resigned as party Chairman on Sunday, has announced his intention to contest the party’s 2028 presidential primary. Fayyaz has the backing of former President Mohamed Nasheed’s faction, including Hassan Latheef and Ali Azim.
Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, also expected to contest, is supported by a group within the party backing Adam Azim in the mayoral primary.
