Former President Abdulla Yameen has stated that leasing Rasmalé for Jewish settlement is plunging the nation into danger, labelling President Mohamed Muizzu, Minister Abdulla Muththalib, and Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham as "criminals" for their involvement in the deal.
Speaking at a People's National Front (PNF) rally last night, Yameen asserted that since Jewish people are among the most widely resented globally, settling them in the Maldives poses a threat to the country's peace and security.
Highlighting that attacks occur in other nations due to animosity toward Jewish people, Yameen warned that such incidents would likely follow if Rasmalé were populated by them.
Yameen further claimed that the Rasmalé project offers no long-term benefit to Maldivians and vowed to halt it once Muizzu’s presidency concludes.
"In matters of this magnitude [the Rasmalé project], the two security forces must have the courage to speak up; the law mandates that they tell the President that this must not be done. They must do it. It is their legal responsibility," Yameen said.
He noted the contradiction in the government's stance, pointing out that while the Vice President defended Palestine at the UN General Assembly and Muizzu "sheds tears" for Palestine, the administration is simultaneously working to sell land and settle Jewish people in Rasmalé.
Yameen also claimed that even if the remaining space in Rasmalé were offered to Maldivians alongside a Jewish settlement, no Maldivian would choose to live there.
"There is absolutely no one who would go there to cohabit or settle with Jewish people," he said.
Yameen identified Usham and Muththalib as the two closest senior ministers willing to execute whatever Muizzu commands, asserting that "the law will catch up with them" for this transaction.
"They are criminals participating in this to the same extent as Muizzu. The Constitution requires that for decisions of this magnitude, in addition to taking it to the Cabinet, the advice of the Attorney General must be sought," Yameen said, adding that a public referendum should have been held before leasing Rasmalé.
"Within the powers granted to the President, there is the authority to seek a public referendum on such matters."
Amid widespread public outcry against the project, Eagle Hills has revised the press release it issued regarding the development.
While the government maintains that Rasmalé is being leased for 99 years, Eagle Hills had previously stated that all properties in Rasmalé would be transferable and inheritable, with a new 99-year lease term commencing upon each transfer.
The revision made by Eagle Hills concerns the press release issued on September 21, the day the Rasmalé project agreement was signed. The company altered the sections mentioning the 99-year land grant and the provision that a new 99-year lease term would begin with every transfer.
