Falah says Maldivians unlikely to protest against Ras Malé project

Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falah has said it would be highly unlikely for Maldivians to join protests against the government's Ras Malé development project, which involves allocating 500 hectares of reclaimed land to UAE-based developer Eagle Hills.

Falah, who represents the Inguraidhoo constituency, made the remarks during Wednesday's parliamentary debate on a resolution calling for the disclosure of the government's agreement with Eagle Hills.

His comments came after opposition political parties launched a campaign against the Maldives Waterfront and Marina project, which the government plans to develop in Ras Malé in partnership with Eagle Hills.

The campaign, titled 'Dhivehinge Bin Dhivehinnah' (Maldivian Land for Maldivians), was launched on Monday, 19 October, over concerns about the government's decision to allocate land to the foreign developer without disclosing the full terms of the agreement.

Opposition parties involved in the campaign have pledged to continue their activities until the project is stopped.

Responding to the campaign, Falah said he did not believe the opposition would succeed in mobilising public protests against the development.

"I believe that, by the grace of Allah, the political unrest that some politicians are attempting to create over this Eagle Hills project will not materialise in this country," he said.

Falah also referred to political leaders who had recently returned to the Maldives after spending time abroad.

"Even some political leaders who had been hiding have now returned to the Maldives. Therefore, I would say that it is highly unlikely, God willing, that the people of this country will come out to protest against this Eagle Hills project. Not a single citizen will come out. What the people want is a country where they can live in happiness and prosperity," he said.

Falah defended the Ras Malé development, describing it as the most transparent project announced in the Maldives to date.

He said he believed all Maldivians had access to the details of the project, despite opposition demands for the government to disclose the agreement with Eagle Hills.

The PNC parliamentary leader argued that the project would bring development and economic benefits to the country, making it difficult for opposition parties to generate public resistance.

He said Maldivians recognised that a project of this scale could bring progress and prosperity to the country.

Falah also claimed that the opposition was attempting to obstruct the project because it represented a development initiative unlike anything previously undertaken in the Maldives.

He alleged that opposition politicians feared the project's success would secure President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's victory in the next presidential election.

According to Falah, attempts to create political unrest over the development would ultimately harm the Maldives and its people.

He questioned whether Maldivians should continue relying on traditional livelihoods rather than pursuing development projects.

"Should Maldivians always remain wearing a sarong and shorts, going into the sea to cast fishing nets?" Falah asked.

The Maldives Waterfront and Marina project has become a subject of political dispute following the government's decision to allocate 500 hectares of reclaimed land in Ras Malé to Eagle Hills.

Opposition parties have raised concerns about the terms of the arrangement and its implications for land ownership and national sovereignty.

The government has defended the development as an investment initiative intended to support economic growth and expand opportunities in the Maldives.