MDP to hold council meeting on Sunday to decide position on Eagle Hills project

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to convene a meeting of its National Council on Sunday to determine the party's official position on the government's agreement with UAE-based Eagle Hills to develop 500 hectares of reclaimed land in Ras Malé.

The meeting has been scheduled for 8.30pm on Sunday, 1 November, following calls from National Council members for the party to take a position on the agreement.

The decision comes amid growing criticism of the government's plan to allocate 500 hectares of reclaimed land to Eagle Hills without an advance payment, as well as concerns over the alleged links between the company's chairman, Mohamed Alabbar, and Israel.

A poll was conducted in the MDP National Council's WhatsApp group to determine whether a meeting should be held to discuss the agreement. Around 60 members voted in favour of convening the meeting.

According to a message sent by the MDP to National Council members, the meeting will determine the party's course of action regarding the government's agreement to allocate a substantial portion of Ras Malé to Eagle Hills.

The decision to convene the meeting follows disagreements within the MDP over its position on the project.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has urged the party not to oppose Eagle Hills or the Ras Malé development agreement, warning that such opposition could damage the MDP's relations with the United Arab Emirates.

As discussions continued over convening the National Council, Nasheed sent several messages to the council's WhatsApp group expressing his position.

He initially said the Ras Malé project could be supported in principle and urged members to limit their discussions to the position already outlined in a statement issued by the MDP.

Nasheed also cautioned against confronting Eagle Hills chairman Mohamed Alabbar.

However, several members of the National Council, including individuals associated with former MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail, responded to Nasheed's messages by expressing disagreement with his position.

Nasheed subsequently reiterated that the MDP should refrain from making further statements against the Ras Malé agreement. He also asked National Council members who shared his position to express their support.

When members did not respond in support of his proposal, Nasheed sent further messages warning that opposition to Eagle Hills and investment by UAE companies in the Maldives could harm the party.

"I repeat, this will be very damaging to the MDP. The UAE is a close country to the MDP. Through what we are doing, we have handed the UAE over to the PNC," Nasheed wrote in one of his messages to the National Council group.

His remarks reflect differences within the opposition party over how to respond to the agreement, particularly regarding its implications for relations with the UAE.

The Ras Malé agreement has faced criticism from opposition figures and members of the public who have questioned whether the Maldives Waterfront and Marina project, to be developed by Eagle Hills, could allow Israeli nationals to acquire property in the country.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib have rejected those concerns.

President Muizzu has said Israeli nationals will not be permitted to acquire property or investments in the development and that legal restrictions will prevent such transactions.

Muththalib has also stated that Israeli citizens, companies controlled by Israeli interests and other related parties will not be permitted to participate in property transactions within the project.

According to the minister, the restrictions will extend to property purchasers, beneficial owners, shareholders, financiers and sales agents.

The government's assurances have not ended criticism of the agreement, with opponents continuing to raise concerns about the allocation of reclaimed land and the terms of the development arrangement.

The MDP National Council meeting on Sunday is expected to determine whether the party will formally oppose the agreement or adopt a different position on the project.