Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson and former President Mohamed Nasheed announced tonight his full support for the government's decision to sell part of Rasmalé to UAE businessman Mohamed Alabbar.
Nasheed expressed his backing for the project during an MDP National Council meeting, where members were debating a resolution calling on the government to refrain from signing the project agreement until a public referendum is held.
Nasheed noted that all Maldivians are descendants of people who migrated and settled in the Maldives from elsewhere. He stated that such decisions would ultimately yield positive results for the country.
"Three ships arrived 300 years ago. One stopped at Hoarafushi, while another went to Dhuvaafaru. Honourable President, I understand that you, as the President of the Hoarafushi constituency, are a descendant of one of the families from those ships. This is why I am considering the potential outcomes 100 years from now," Nasheed said.
"I fully support this project. Absolutely and completely."
The resolution, submitted by Kolamaafushi constituency President Mahfooz Saeed, calls for a public vote to gauge opinion on the Rasmalé project. It further urged protests to halt the project if the government refuses to hold such a referendum.
Former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail and other senior party members spoke in favour of the resolution tonight. Nasheed remains the only member to speak against the resolution.
