Nasheed officially endorses Rasmale’ project: ‘I fully support it’

MDP’s chairperson, former President Mohamed Nasheed has expressed full support for the government’s decision to lease land in Ras Malé to UAE-based Eagle Hills for a period of 99 years.

Nasheed made the remarks during an MDP National Council meeting held on Sunday night to debate a resolution calling on the government to refrain from signing the project agreement until a public referendum is conducted.

The resolution, submitted by MDP’s Kolamaafushi Constituency President Mahfooz Saeed, called for a public vote to gauge public opinion on the Ras Malé project. It also proposed staging protests to halt the development if the government failed to meet the demands.

In contrast, Nasheed explicitly backed the project, stating, "I fully support this project."

While former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail and former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih spoke in support of the resolution, Nasheed was the only National Council member to speak against it.

Addressing the council, Nasheed said he had not initially intended to take part in the debate but decided to speak after his name was mentioned. He noted that the Maldivian population descended from people who migrated to and settled in the country from abroad, adding that decisions such as the one concerning the project could bring positive outcomes.

Drawing on a historical analogy, Nasheed said: "Three ships arrived in the Maldives 300 years ago. One stopped at Hoarafushi, another went to Dhuvaafaru. Honorable President of the Hoarafushi Constituency, it is my understanding that you are a descendant of those who arrived on that ship. Therefore, I can envision the possibilities that can emerge over a century."

Nasheed concluded by reaffirming his full support for the government's decision on the project.