Shiyam: Rasmale’ project will bring prosperity, but opposition wants Maldivians to remain beggars

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam on early Saturday accused the opposition of wanting the Maldivian people to remain beggars, as he slammed their “politically-motivated” opposition to the planned USD 20 billion waterfront and marina project in Rasmale’ – a project that he said has the potential to revolutionize the Maldivian economy and bring prosperity.

He made the remark in a post on Facebook after the ‘Dhiveheenge Bin Dhivehinnah’ rally held in Male’ on Friday. Organized by the Gaumee Haraaaiy – an alliance of political figures opposed to the planned project by Abu Dhabi-based real estate giant Eagle Hills, the rally was attended by opposition leaders including former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, former Vice President Faisal Naseem and former Home Minister Imran Abdulla. Of the three, both Yameen and Faisal have announced they will be running against President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in the 2028 elections.

Shiyam, a vice president of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), accused opposition figures of using the rally to mislead the public and launch their 2028 campaigns.

“I would be in the front row if it were a national affair. But what we witnessed tonight was our rival political parties launch their 2028 campaign by gravely misleading the public. This was not something responsible political parties would engage in,” he said.

On September 21, Abu Dhabi-based real estate giant Eagle Hills signed a commercial terms agreement or letter of intent 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.

However, the project faces controversy over alleged plans to grant Eagle Hills 500 hectares of reclaimed land for 99 years without acquisition cost or lease payment, as well as the right to create to create lease interests for third parties. It has also sparked fears that Rasmale’ could become a foothold for Zionist settlement – fears that the government says are unfounded.

Shiyam described President Muizzu as the country’s “most patriotic” leader, who has done the most out of any other president over a five-year term to promote Islamic affairs, and is among the most outspoken when it comes to condemning Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinian people.

He questioned the true intent of the opposition leaders who attended the rally, alleging that they had a track record deciding matters related to the independence and sovereignty without seeking the public opinion or even informing the Parliament.

“They want to achieve one objective. And that is their political objective,” he said.

Shiyam reiterated the PNC administration’s commitment to defending the country’s independence and sovereignty.

“One example is how we paid off USD 1.9 billion in sovereign debt created by previous administrations, saving the people of this country from the debt trap,” he said.

He said that the success of the incumbent administration in debt repayment has led to international agencies upgrading the Maldives’ credit ratings, which in turn is attracting billion-dollar foreign investments.

“But no matter how large and high the value of investment, this administration will not welcome any investment or investors who do not respect Maldives’ religion, culture, sovereignty, independence, constitution and laws,” he said.

Shiyam said that unlike President Muizzu, the opposition wants the Maldivian people to remain beggars.

“The opposition wants the Maldives to remain holding out their cups, begging our neighbors and the larger international community. President Dr. Muizzu is working towards making the Maldivians people who lead prosperous, respectable and civilized lives, and turning the country into a developed nation by 2040,” he said.

Shiyam described the planned waterfront and marina project in Rasmale’ as the biggest project in Maldivian history.

“This is a promising project that has the potential to revolutionize the Maldivian economy and bring prosperity to the lives of the Maldivian people,” he said.

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.

However, the opposition continues to allege that Eagle Hills has ties to Israel.