Minister: Maldives’ prosperity isn’t what those looking to exert influence want

A prosperous Maldivian state isn’t something those looking to exert influence over the country want, says Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib, adding that what the Island Ocean nation needs are mega development projects that will benefit its people for generations to come.

He made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday, addressing the controversy surrounding a planned USD 20 billion waterfront and marina project in Rasmale’ by Abu Dhabi-based Eagle Hills.

Muthalib stressed that those who purchase property from Rasmale’ will own the property alone, and not the land it is built on.

“The land on which the property is, is owned by the state of Maldives,” he said.

He added that if such a property were to be sold or inherited upon death of the original owner, it would require approval from the Maldivian government, and would be subject to necessary fees.

“Therefore, claims of automatic inheritance are false. All foreign-owned resorts and businesses in the Maldives are also assets that can be sold, changed and inherited,” he said.

ރަސްމާލޭން ޕްރޮޕަޓީ ގަންނަ ފަރާތުގެ މިލްކަކީ އެ ޕްރޮޕަޓީއެކެވެ. އެ ޕްރޮޕަޓީ ހިމެނޭ ބިމަކީ ދިވެހި ދައުލަތުގެ މިލްކެކެވެ. އެ ޕްރޮޕަޓީއެއް ވިއްކާލާނަމަ، ނުވަތަ އެފަރާތެއް މަރުވުމުން ވާރުތަވާނަމަ، ވާރުތަވާނީ ދިވެހި ސަރުކާރުން ބަލަންޖެހޭ ކަންކަން ބެލުމަށްފަހު ހުއްދަކުރާނަމައެވެ.… https://t.co/JOs6Y21dJO

— Abdulla Muththalib (@muththo) September 27, 2026

Muthalib also refuted allegations that those who purchase property from Rasmale’ can automatically secure visas for themselves and their family.

“Issuance of visa is something carried out by Immigration based on the Immigration Act. The authority to issue and cancel visas is vested in the agency by Immigration Act,” he said.

Muthalib said that the state of Maldives remained proudly independent.

“The prosperity and development of the state of Maldives is crucial to strengthening its sovereignty and protecting itself from the influence of foreign nations. The prosperity of the state of Maldives isn’t something that those seeking to exert influence over the country would want. What the Maldives needs are development projects like these that will benefit [Maldivians] for generations to come. Not short-term benefits,” he said.

On September 21, Abdu Dhabi-based Eagle Hills signed a commercial terms agreement for a mega project to develop a new integrated island destination in Rasmale’, including international hotels and resorts, premium and branded residences, a world-class marina, waterfront promenades, restaurants, shops, leisure and wellness centers.

The USD 20 billion project is described by the Maldives government as one of the most ambitious development initiatives in the country’s history.

According to the Maldives government, preliminary economic impact estimates indicate the project could attract more than USD 30 billion in gross foreign investment over its lifetime, including about USD 18 billion in net foreign investment in the Maldives.

It is also expected to create more than 54,000 direct and indirect jobs. At full maturity, the destination is expected to attract more than one million visitors annually and generate more than USD 2 billion in annual tourism revenue.