Former President Abdulla Yameen has alleged that the proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act are aimed at selling land in the islands at undervalued prices.
Speaking at a rally held by the People’s National Front (PNF) last night, Yameen said that President Mohamed Muizzu had already overseen the sale of numerous plots in Malé at below-market rates during his tenure as Mayor.
He further alleged that the true objective behind the current legislative changes is to parcel out and sell lands in the islands, just as Malé and Hulhumalé were partitioned and sold during Muizzu's time as Mayor.
"Land near Malé will naturally be more expensive than land further away. So, this is about nothing else but finding another way to feast [on public assets] however they can," Yameen said.
The former president characterized these actions as outright theft.
During Muizzu’s tenure as Malé Mayor, between the first and second rounds of the 2023 presidential election, ten plots of land in the Alimas Carnival area were leased to private parties at undervalued rates. These deals were reportedly struck in exchange for large sums of money categorized as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions.
Under the Muizzu administration, several plots in Hulhumalé have also been allocated to Chinese companies without a competitive bidding process, in violation of standard procedures. Additionally, land has reportedly been sold to certain members of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
Yameen declared that under a future administration of his, such lands would be reclaimed without any compensation.
The PNC has expressed support for an amendment to the Decentralization Act proposed by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, which would bring island lands under government control. However, a petition submitted to the People’s Majlis calling for the rejection of this bill has already garnered over 2,300 signatures.
