MDP passes resolution seeking referendum on Eagle Hills development

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) National Council has approved a resolution calling for a public referendum on the government's proposed allocation of 500 hectares of land in Ras Malé to UAE-based Eagle Hills.

The resolution was passed at an extraordinary meeting of the National Council on Sunday evening, receiving 57 votes from the 58 members present.

It was submitted by Mahfooz Saeed, president of the MDP's Kolamaafushi constituency, and seconded by Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir.

During the debate, several National Council members expressed opposition to the proposed development, while others called for the project to be suspended until the government had obtained public approval.

Former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, who has announced his intention to contest the party's presidential primary ahead of the next presidential election, raised concerns about the proposed agreement with Eagle Hills.

Fayyaz criticised President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's handling of the project, arguing that the government had placed the Maldives in a difficult position by involving the country in geopolitical rivalries in the Middle East.

He said the Maldives occupied an important geopolitical position in the Indian Ocean and should avoid becoming involved in regional rivalries.

Fayyaz also questioned the government's decision to allocate land reclaimed for housing development to a foreign developer.

He said the government had spent hundreds of millions of dollars reclaiming Ras Malé, contributing to economic pressures and rising prices, only for discussions about transferring the land to emerge within weeks.

"We are not hearing that the government will receive a share. What we are hearing is that the land will be given away for free. That is a very serious issue," Fayyaz said.

He also expressed concern about the proposed lease arrangements, saying the land could remain under foreign control beyond the initial 99-year period.

"If this becomes something that can be renewed indefinitely, we have to think about the future of the Maldives. Rights over this land are being created for numerous parties. If that is going to happen, the people must be consulted," he said.

Fayyaz supported holding a referendum, saying he would accept the outcome if the public endorsed the project.

He said he would have no objection to the development proceeding with public approval, even if land were sold and citizenship granted to Sunni Muslims as part of the arrangement.

However, he maintained that a project of this scale required public consultation.

Fayyaz called on President Muizzu to hold a referendum and said that if no public vote was arranged by 15 November, he would call on people to take to the streets in protest.

Former MDP President Abdulla Shahid described the Ras Malé development as misleading, saying the government had initially presented the land reclamation project as a means of providing housing for Maldivians.

Shahid, who served as Foreign Minister in the previous administration, said public funds had been used to reclaim the area on the understanding that it would help address the country's housing needs.

"Up to USD 800 million of public money has been spent there. While spending that money, the government said it was doing so to facilitate housing for Maldivians," Shahid said.

He called on the government to clarify the purpose of the development and disclose the commercial terms agreement signed with Eagle Hills.

Malé Mayor Adam Azim also criticised the proposed arrangement, alleging that the government intended to give Eagle Hills an area equivalent to twice the size of Malé without receiving adequate benefits in return.

Azim said the government should explain what financial and economic returns the Maldives would receive from the project.

He argued that public resources had already been committed to the reclamation project at a time when the country was facing financial pressures.

"We have all been made to bear the burden, medicines are unavailable, prices have increased, and every dollar has been spent on that area. Giving it away for free today is not something we can accept," Azim said.

"If this is an investment, there must be lasting benefits for us."

He called on the government to disclose the benefits the public could expect from the development.

While several National Council members directly criticised Eagle Hills and called for the project to be stopped, former President Mohamed Nasheed, who chaired the meeting, cautioned against making allegations without evidence.

Nasheed said there were no established facts supporting some of the accusations made against Eagle Hills and urged members to avoid such language.

His remarks reflected differences within the party over how to respond to the proposed development.

During the meeting, Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir proposed establishing a committee to oversee the implementation of the resolution.

He initially proposed a seven-member committee. However, as some of the proposed members were absent, the National Council approved the formation of a five-member committee.

In addition to Mauroof, the committee comprises former Makunudhoo MP Mohamed Raee, Ahmed Saleem, also known as Maaz Saleem, former Defence Minister and National Security Adviser Ameen Faisal, and Hulhumalé North Councillor Fathimath Zahiyya, also known as Zaya.

The committee will be responsible for taking forward the measures outlined in the resolution.

The resolution calls for a public referendum on the proposed Eagle Hills development, the suspension of project-related transactions pending the referendum, and the publication of the agreement's commercial terms.

It also seeks public awareness activities concerning the project and calls for the MDP to lead direct action if the government fails to respond to its demands.

The resolution's approval establishes the MDP National Council's position in favour of seeking public approval before the proposed development proceeds.