President rules out referendum on Ras Malé–Eagle Hills project

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said on Monday that the government would not hold a public referendum on the proposed allocation of land in Ras Malé to UAE-based Eagle Hills for a real estate development project, despite calls from opposition parties to put the matter to a public vote.

The proposal to allocate 500 hectares of land in Ras Malé to Eagle Hills without payment for a real estate development project has raised concerns among sections of the public, particularly as the land is being reclaimed using public funds.

Opposition parties have called for a referendum on the proposed agreement, citing concerns over the allocation of state land and its implications for national sovereignty.

Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office on Monday, President Muizzu was asked whether the government would consider holding a referendum on the project.

The President rejected the suggestion, saying the Real Estate Business Bill submitted to Parliament already contained provisions intended to protect the rights of Maldivian citizens.

"This is not a matter on which we will hold or conduct a referendum. The bill clearly sets out provisions to protect the rights of citizens and safeguard the independence, sovereignty and sovereign authority of the Maldivian state," Muizzu said.

He said the safeguards had been incorporated directly into the proposed legislation rather than being left to regulations.

"We have not even left room for these matters to be set out in regulations. It would have been much easier to include a brief provision in the bill and say the details would be specified in regulations. But we have not done that," he said.

According to the President, the bill was drafted to ensure that development projects of this nature would protect the rights of citizens, including future generations.

Muizzu also rejected opposition claims that the project could undermine the country's independence and sovereignty.

"What I would say is that these are baseless, speculative claims being made for political purposes by the opposition," he said.

The President maintained that the proposed legislation contained the necessary protections and dismissed suggestions that the agreement would compromise the country's sovereignty.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) National Council passed a resolution last week calling for a public referendum on the Ras Malé project.

Former President Abdulla Yameen, an opposition leader, has also repeatedly called for a referendum on the proposed land allocation.

The Ras Malé project has become the subject of political debate following the government's plans to allocate 500 hectares of reclaimed land to Eagle Hills for real estate development, with opposition parties questioning the terms of the arrangement and calling for public consultation.