Former MP Ali Hussain Calls President Muizzu 'Biggest Enemy of Maldivian Nationalism' Over Rasmalé Deal

Former Kandhu constituency member and legal advocate Ali Hussain has launched a scathing attack on President Mohamed Muizzu, calling him the 'biggest enemy of Maldivian nationalism' over the government's decision to sell land under the Rasmalé project to UAE-based Eagle Hills. In a post on X, Ali Hussain responded to President Muizzu's remarks at a gathering on Nasru's Day, where the President said he would not do anything that would cause even the slightest deficit to any pillar of the country. Ali Hussain countered, accusing the President of erasing traces of Maldivian nationalism and selling the nation's land 'as an agent of Zionists.' He added, 'The biggest enemy of Maldivian nationalism is precisely you, sir.' Ali Hussain has been vocal in condemning the government's plan to annul the agreement that grants 500 hectares of land to the UAE's Eagle Hills company for 99 years under the Rasmalé project, which is being developed by filling Fushidhigurufaalhu. He has repeatedly called on authorities not to sign the agreement, to clarify its terms, and to prevent the nation from falling into debt, during gatherings held in Malé. Speaking at one gathering, Ali Hussain said, 'The greatest test and the greatest attacker given so far to Islam, which has existed in the Maldives for 900 years, is today directly President Muizzu.' The commercial terms for the sale of Rasmalé—developed using state funds—to Eagle Hills were signed on September 21. The government is aiming to sign the permanent agreement on November 11, which is Republic Day. The move has drawn criticism, particularly because President Muizzu had previously promised that 'not even a single grain of sand' from Rasmalé would be rented or given free to anyone outside the country. 'Every piece of land filled there, every grain of sand, is sand belonging to Maldivian citizens. No piece of land will be given for rent or even free to any foreign entity for even a single day,' Muizzu had said earlier.