Yameen: Anyone silent as Maldivian land is surrendered is complicit in the crime

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, on Friday night, stated that anyone who remains silent or fails to participate in movements against the illegal surrender of Maldivian land is complicit in the crime.

Speaking at the 'Dhivehinge Bin Dhivehinna' (Maldivian Land for Maldivians) rally organized by the ‘Gaumee Harakaaiy’ at Artificial Beach, Yameen asserted that those gathered to protest the awarding of Rasmalé land to Eagle Hills represent patriotic Maldivians rather than any particular political party or colour.

He noted that the rally marks the beginning of a national alliance free from political divisions, aimed at uniting everyone to ensure that the Maldives remains a fully sovereign nation.

Addressing the police, military, members of the ruling PNC, and Members of Parliament, Yameen stressed that now is the time for them to speak up. He argued that citizens must not remain passive while the country's independence is compromised and its land is partitioned. He further warned that those who do not stand against these actions are accomplices and that a future administration would reverse these decisions, bringing all parties involved before the law for criminal investigation and prosecution.

"I am telling the police, the military, PNC members, and Parliament members: now is the time for you to speak out. Every single person who does not participate in this effort now is complicit in this crime," Yameen said.

Regarding the Rasmalé project, Yameen issued a direct warning to Eagle Hills Chairman Mohamed Alabbar. He declared that if any administration other than that of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, whether his own or an MDP-led government, wins the next election, the land allocated for the project would be dropped by the state without compensation.

"By the grace of Allah, if someone other than this government—be it myself or the MDP—wins the next election, there is no doubt. Listen, Alabbar! Listen, Zionists! Even if the Rasmalé land has been given, we will take it back! And we will not provide any compensation for it," Yameen stated.

Furthermore, Yameen claimed that the Rasmalé project was not President Muizzu's original idea but had been included in his own manifesto. He emphasised that land is the Maldives' most significant interest and that such allocations cannot be made without the consent of the people.

"There isn't a single drop of ink from President Muizzu's pen in the original Rasmalé project. That was something in my manifesto," Yameen said.

In his concluding remarks, he noted that even World War II was triggered by land disputes and reiterated the need to work towards recovering Chagos as part of Maldivian territory.