President Mohamed Muizzu announced last night that all eligible applicants for the Rasmalé project will be guaranteed land plots under the government's housing initiative.
Speaking on the state broadcaster PSM’s "Nation Chat" program, Muizzu said that there is sufficient space at the site to accommodate all qualified applicants across every category established by the government. He noted that this decision was finalised after personally reviewing the total number of applications received.
"Whether it is the Malé natives' category, the 'resident' registry category, or the category for those who have resided in Malé for over 15 years—all eligible applicants from every category we announced for land plots will receive them. No one will be left behind," he affirmed.
Muizzu's remarks come amid public concerns that allocating 500 hectares of Rasmalé land to Eagle Hills might restrict housing opportunities for citizens. Refuting these claims, he clarified that in addition to the space available at Rasmalé, the 5,000 flats being developed by the company in Hulhumalé will also be handed over to the public within the current presidential term.
Muizzu detailed that these 5,000 housing units, which include essential services such as water, sewerage, and electricity in Urban Isle, are scheduled for completion and handover by August 2028. He added that these flats would target youth, resort employees, fishermen, and workers from various sectors who have yet to receive housing.
Addressing the nature of investments in Rasmalé, Muizzu emphasised that the area would be governed strictly by the Constitution and laws of the Maldives. He assured that the Maldivian police and state authorities would maintain full jurisdiction over the area regarding security and law enforcement.
Furthermore, Muizzu said that prohibited items and activities, such as alcohol and casinos, would not be permitted in Rasmalé. He noted that mosques would be established with the call to prayer five times a day, and during Ramadan, dining arrangements would follow the same regulations as on inhabited islands, where public eating is restricted.
"To put it simply, it will be even more regulated than a resort. Alcohol and pork will not be available. There will be mosques with the call to prayer five times a day. No schools or educational institutions will be under foreign control, and there will be no casinos," Muizzu said.
While the President has guaranteed land for all, over 22,500 applications were submitted under the government’s housing scheme. The Housing Ministry has stated that the final list of recipients will be published in December following the completion of the evaluation process.
