Baarashu MP Ibrahim Shujau has threatened the people protesting against the sale of Bodufinolhu in the lagoon of Vaavu Kolhudhiffushi lagoon.
Vaavu atoll Bodufinolhu and the lagoon surrounding the sandbank- which is located 7.7 kilometres from Thinadhoo - were sold for USD 729,000 (MVR 11.2 million) to Kaani Hotels.
People from all the islands of Vaavu atoll and people involved in the tourism business protested against the sale on Thursday.
Speaking during a gathering at the campaign hall of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), Shujau said MDP can no longer stop projects by protesting.
He accused MDP of protesting in the past to stop development projects and claimed that it had caused many negative effects.
"Today, when a major tourism project in Vaavu atoll was started under the leadership of President [Dr. Mohamed] Muizzu, there are some MDP people [trying to halt it]. I want to tell them to stop. This government will take legal action against those who obstruct the implementation of projects that is beneficial to the state funds," he said.
Shujau added that the government will not hesitate to punish those who encourage the protests.
The Vaavu atoll council sent a letter to Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal on Monday to express concern over the sale of the sandbank. The letter stated that the sale was carried out unlawfully without any consultation with the atoll council.
The letter added that tourism is rapidly growing in Vaavu atoll and that the atoll's natural resources are widely used by guesthouses, some resorts and safaris.
