The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) tonight passed a resolution to launch protests if a public referendum is not held before any move is made to sell the Rasmalé project to UAE businessman Mohamed Alabbar.
The resolution, proposed by Kolamaafushi MP Mahfooz, was passed with 57 votes in favour out of 58 members present. Only one member voted against the motion.
The resolution calls for a halt to all work on the Rasmalé project until a public referendum is conducted. It further states that if the government fails to meet this demand, the MDP will collaborate with other political parties and organisations to initiate mass protests.
Former MDP President Abdulla Shahid and former Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail both spoke in support of the resolution. Shahid characterised the Rasmalé project as a deception from the start.
"In my view, the entire Fushidhiggaru lagoon project is a fraud. First, they misled the public regarding the name of the location. The financing of the project has also been shrouded in secrecy. Despite no funds being allocated in the approved budget, through deceptive practices, approximately $800 million of public money has already been funnelled into this site," Shahid said.
Speaking at tonight’s meeting, Fayyaz Ismail said that if a vote is not held to gauge public opinion on Rasmalé, the party must "fill the streets."
"I support this resolution. If a referendum is not announced by the 15th of this month, I urge all MDP members to fill the streets from wherever they are every night until November 17th. We must come out and protest this. People from across the country should converge on Malé to demand a referendum," Fayyaz said.
