Former Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Fayyaz Ismail, has declared that a future MDP administration would terminate the Rasmalé project agreement if the government proceeds to hand it over to the UAE’s Eagle Hills without public consultation.
Speaking on Adhadhu’s "Fenna Nunfenna" program, Fayyaz expressed his strong opposition to the government's current framework for the Rasmalé project.
"President Muizzu must ask the Maldivian people what they want. He needs to open the floor for debate and provide a platform for those with concerns to voice them. Without doing so, the Constitution must not be amended; this project should not proceed," Fayyaz said.
"I am stating very clearly: if this is done without seeking the people’s input, we will revoke the agreement once we return to power."
Fayyaz clarified that he has no personal issue with foreign investments or the UAE. However, he emphasised his opposition to the government's decision to grant Maldivian land to a foreign entity indefinitely without any acquisition cost.
He noted that even if the government wished to intervene, it would be legally restricted by the specific terms of the agreement, which allow the 99-year lease period to reset every time a property developed by Eagle Hills is sold to a second or third party.
Fayyaz further warned that the current structure of the Rasmalé project could potentially grant residency rights to non-citizens, which he described as a major national concern.
"As they gradually settle here, rights over that land begin to emerge. When a large number of people from powerful nations reside there, it becomes very easy to exert pressure on a small nation like ours, demanding rights or the ability to practice their religion," Fayyaz said.
"If things proceed as currently proposed, this is an inevitable outcome."
Fayyaz reiterated that these concerns are the main reasons for his opposition. He maintained that the government should only proceed with such a project after gauging public opinion, especially given the visible risks.
"We will also inform Eagle Hills of this. If they participate in a project led by an unpopular government during its remaining two years, they should know where the Maldivian people stand. In terms of compensation, they might not even be entitled to any," Fayyaz added.
While the government maintains that Rasmalé is being leased for 99 years, Eagle Hills has indicated that the 99-year lease term would restart upon the sale of properties before the initial period expires.
Commercial terms to sell 500 hectares of Rasmalé—land currently being reclaimed at Fushidhiggaru lagoon using state funds—to Eagle Hills were signed on September 21. The government aims to sign the definitive agreement on November 11, coinciding with the Maldives' Republic Day.
The deal to sell Rasmalé land comes despite President Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge that not a single grain of sand from the site would be leased or given to a foreign party, even for a single day.
"Every grain of sand reclaimed there [Rasmalé] belongs to the Maldivian people. It is not land that will be leased or given for free to any foreign party for even a single day," Muizzu had previously stated.
