Nasheed not qualified to speak on national interests, says Yameen

Former President Abdulla Yameen has criticised Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson and former President Mohamed Nasheed over his support for UAE-based Eagle Hills' proposed development in Ras Malé, saying Nasheed is not qualified to speak on matters concerning the country's national interests.

Speaking at a People's National Front (PNF) meeting on Sunday evening, Yameen said many MDP members no longer accepted Nasheed's views, including members of the party's leadership.

His remarks followed disagreements within the MDP over the government's proposed allocation of 500 hectares of land in Ras Malé to Eagle Hills.

Nasheed had expressed concern in a social media post on Saturday about the direction of the debate within his party, saying the MDP had previously supported openness, respect for social values and democratic reform.

He criticised what he described as growing discrimination against foreigners and the use of nationalist rhetoric based on exclusion.

During an MDP National Council meeting on Sunday evening, Nasheed also declared his full support for the Eagle Hills project.

However, the National Council approved a resolution calling for a public referendum on the proposed development and direct action if the government proceeded without obtaining public approval.

Addressing the PNF meeting, Yameen welcomed the MDP National Council's decision and criticised Nasheed's position.

He said the Maldives had many people who had betrayed the country's interests, alleging that some occupied senior positions in politics.

Yameen described the Ras Malé project as a matter directly affecting Maldivians and their national interests.

He urged all parties, including the government, to avoid taking actions that could harm the country.

Yameen said Nasheed's social media post demonstrated a difference between the former president's political views and his public statements.

He argued that Nasheed lacked the standing to speak on matters involving national interests and that his views should not be given prominence in such discussions.

Yameen said he believed a significant number of MDP members disagreed with Nasheed's position on the Eagle Hills project.

"I believe there are now many people within the MDP who do not accept what Nasheed is saying. There are many within the leadership as well," Yameen said.

He referred to an interview given by former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, saying Fayyaz's comments reflected concerns similar to those raised by the PNF.

"I watched an interview with Fayyaz today. He also answered the journalist's questions in much the same way we have been discussing this issue. He started from a very different position, but towards the end, he was saying much the same things we are saying," Yameen said.

He questioned whether national interests had been a priority for Nasheed during his presidency.

"Was the country important to former President Nasheed when he was in power?" Yameen asked.

Yameen also criticised decisions taken during Nasheed's administration, accusing the former president of failing to protect national assets and institutions.

He claimed Nasheed had questioned the importance of maintaining the country's military and had suggested that it was not a necessary institution.

Yameen also criticised the privatisation of Malé International Airport during Nasheed's presidency, alleging that Nasheed had argued the airport did not need to remain under Maldivian control.

He further accused Nasheed's administration of selling majority ownership in the country's water utility and shares in telecommunications company Dhiraagu.

The former president used these claims to question Nasheed's credibility in discussions about national sovereignty and the proposed Ras Malé development.

"These are not people who are qualified to participate in the national debates we are conducting. They are not qualified to speak on nationalism and the country," Yameen said.

He described such figures as lacking both the qualifications and standing to participate in debates concerning national interests.

Yameen's comments came as political disagreements continued over the proposed Eagle Hills development, with the MDP National Council calling for a referendum despite Nasheed's public support for the project.