Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas has said that granting a portion of Rasmalé to foreign entities is an injustice to future generations.
Of the 1,010 hectares to be reclaimed in Rasmalé, 500 hectares have been allocated to Eagle Hills. The company has already begun marketing apartments on the island, which are designed to offer permanent residency to foreign billionaires.
Abbas accused the government of misleading the public regarding the purpose of the costly Rasmalé reclamation project. He asserted that leasing 550 hectares of land to foreign parties for 99 years constitutes a disservice to both the citizens and the nation's future.
"The government has misrepresented the objective behind reclaiming Rasmalé using substantial amounts of taxpayer money. Granting 550 hectares of the proposed 1,150-hectare reclamation project to foreigners for 99 years is a blatant injustice to the people of this country and to generations to come," Abbas said.
He further noted that the government’s decision to allow foreigners to own property and settle on land reclaimed for $750 million in taxpayer funds creates an opportunity for followers of other faiths to establish a permanent presence in the Maldives.
Additionally, Abbas expressed grave concern over entering into such an agreement with Eagle Hills, a company he alleged supports the ideologies and policies of Israel and provides funding to the Jewish state.
"Looking at international treaties the Maldives is a signatory to, such as the Samoa Agreement, if people of other faiths settle here, their human rights must be guaranteed. This would mandate the Maldivian government to ensure their religious freedom," he added.
The secret agreement to hand over Rasmalé to Eagle Hills was signed last Monday. While the government has withheld the full details of the contract, it has confirmed that the land was leased for 99 years. The allocation was made free of charge, without any lease acquisition costs or rent.
Despite facing intense public criticism over the deal, the government continues to defend the transaction as a positive move. Officials maintain that the land was allocated under the same general principles used for resort leases and claim the investment will generate unprecedented revenue for the Maldives.
