Former President Abdulla Yameen has alleged that the Rasmalé Waterfront and Marina project, planned for development by the UAE’s Eagle Hills, is a scheme to settle Jews in the Maldives. He warned that the Maldivian people would never forgive the current administration’s leadership if the project proceeds.
Speaking at a gathering held by the People’s National Front (PNF) last night, Yameen said he completely rejects the Rasmalé concept. His main reasons included an alleged plan for Jewish settlement and the concern that the Maldives would lose sovereign authority over the area once Rasmalé is alienated from Maldivian hands.
"Jews will live there; Jews will go there. Permission to enter will be granted by those who support Jews," Yameen said.
He further claimed that such actions are taken only by those who sympathise with or love Jews, asserting that there is otherwise no reason to bring in and settle Jews among Maldivians.
Highlighting contradictions in the statements made by President Mohamed Muizzu and government ministers regarding the project, Yameen claimed that Rasmalé is being handed over indefinitely.
"This is not something with a definitive end. While the government is carrying this out with such high levels of deception, I wonder if Muizzu has now forgotten the Maldivian youth and people of all ages who are currently deprived of housing," he said.
Foreigners will be permitted to purchase apartments and villas in the Rasmalé development. Following the signing of the initial agreement to sell Rasmalé to Eagle Hills in Dubai on September 21, the government faced public backlash and concern. In response, the administration stated that Israelis would not be allowed to acquire land there. However, it is noted that many Israelis hold dual citizenship.
Yameen also alleged corruption in the project's inception, claiming that instead of using the MTCC dredger 'Mahaa Jarraafu' for the initial reclamation, the project was awarded to a foreign party to allow government officials to pocket illicit gains ranging from $2 to $4 per square meter.
The government has agreed to hand over 500 hectares of the state-funded reclaimed land at Rasmalé to Eagle Hills without charging an acquisition fee or land rent. The only state revenue from the deal would be 10 percent of the revenue from commercial property sales and 4 percent from apartment sales.
Religious scholars and opposition parties have expressed grave concerns over the handover of a portion of Rasmalé to Eagle Hills, citing the company’s chairman, Mohamed Alabbar, as a friend and supporter of Israel. The "National Movement" against the project and the opposition MDP have called for a public referendum, warning that the project opens the door for followers of other religions to settle in the Maldives.
The National Movement, formed to oppose the sale of Rasmalé, has scheduled a major protest in Malé for the night of Friday, November 13.
