A petition opposing proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act—which would allow the government to reclaim land under the jurisdiction of island and city councils at its discretion for development projects—has garnered enough signatures to mandate a formal response from the People’s Majlis.
The petition, initiated by social media activist Midhuam Saud, calls for the immediate withdrawal of the bill, arguing that the proposed changes contravene the fundamental spirit of decentralization.
With over 2,140 signatures collected to date, the petition has reached the "Threshold 2" status under parliamentary regulations. This threshold is met when a petition is signed by at least 0.5 percent of the Maldivian population.
This milestone marks the first time an e-petition has reached this level of support since the introduction of the electronic petitioning system, elevating it to the status of a "special petition" requiring parliamentary action.
The amendments, aimed at consolidating government control over local councils, were introduced by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru. Although an independent member, he aligns with the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
The bill, currently under review by the Parliament’s Decentralization Committee, stipulates that once the Cabinet decides to take over a plot of land or a facility within a council’s jurisdiction for a government project, that property will be removed from the council’s ownership. Such assets would then fall under the full authority of the state.
Furthermore, the bill mandates that councils must hand over land requested for government development projects even before the island’s development plan has been finalized.
The proposed changes also target the code of conduct for council members, introducing provisions that would legally compel councilors to provide full cooperation to the government.
The push for these legislative changes comes amid friction between the central government and local authorities over land allocation. Several of these disputes involve land currently under the jurisdiction of the Addu City Council.
