MDP resolution calls for public referendum on Eagle Hills' Ras Malé project

A resolution calling for a public referendum on the government's proposed agreement with UAE-based Eagle Hills to develop a substantial portion of Ras Malé has been submitted to the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) National Council.

The resolution, submitted on Saturday by Mahfooz Saeed, president of the party's Kolamaafushi constituency, raises concerns about the proposed Maldives Waterfront and Marina project. It was seconded by Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir.

The MDP National Council is scheduled to debate the resolution at a meeting on Sunday at 9pm.

The resolution alleges that the government intends to grant Eagle Hills long-term rights over 500 hectares of land in Ras Malé without charging a fee, despite the land being reclaimed using public funds.

It describes the proposed arrangement as a "betrayal of taxpayers' money" and alleges that the government selected Eagle Hills to undertake the development without following the required legal procedures.

The resolution sets out nine demands relating to the proposed development, including holding a public referendum to determine whether Maldivians support the project.

It also calls for all transactions and arrangements associated with the development to be suspended until the referendum results are announced.

Other demands include publishing the commercial terms of the agreement and conducting a public awareness campaign to explain the risks associated with the project.

The resolution further proposes that the MDP lead direct action if the government fails to respond to these demands.

It calls for other political parties, civil society organisations and individuals wishing to participate in such activities to be included.

Mahfooz, who also works as a lawyer, outlined several legal concerns in the resolution regarding the government's decision to award the development to Eagle Hills.

He argued that Maldivian law permits government projects involving state assets to be awarded without competitive bidding only in exceptional circumstances, including certain unsolicited proposals or private-sector initiatives that support the government's development objectives.

However, he said such arrangements must comply with procedures established under the state's financial regulations.

According to the resolution, the relevant procedures require assessments to determine whether a proposed project aligns with government development plans, its likely social impact, the need for the project and the benefits it would provide to the public.

The resolution argues that these assessments and the basis for awarding the project must be disclosed.

"Since the government has not publicly disclosed the procedures under which Eagle Hills was selected to undertake this project, or the scope of any unsolicited proposal submitted by the company, as required under the state's financial regulations, there are grounds to believe that the project was awarded without complying with the required legal procedures," the resolution states.

The resolution also raises concerns about the implications of granting long-term land rights to foreign parties.

Citing Article 251 of the Constitution, it states that Maldivian territory cannot be transferred into foreign ownership.

It further argues that provisions allowing properties developed under the project to be leased for renewable 99-year periods could effectively grant foreign parties permanent ownership rights and the opportunity to establish permanent residence in the Maldives.

The resolution questions whether such arrangements would be consistent with the constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership of Maldivian territory.

The proposed Maldives Waterfront and Marina project forms part of the government's development plans for Ras Malé, which is being created through land reclamation at K. Fushidhiggaru Falhu.

The government's proposed partnership with Eagle Hills has drawn criticism from opposition politicians over the allocation of reclaimed land, the terms of the agreement and the rights that could be granted to foreign investors.

The resolution will be considered by the MDP National Council as the party determines its position on the project and the measures it intends to pursue.