Government Withdraws Bill Criminalising Dissent Against State Projects Amid Political Uproar

The Maldivian government has abruptly removed from parliament a controversial bill that sought to criminalise acts damaging the economy and expressions of dissent against state projects. The proposed amendments to the Penal Code (Qanoonul Ugoobath) would have made treason a life‑imprisonment offence and imposed up to ten years for economic sabotage. Critics, including opposition MPs and civil society, argued the vaguely worded clauses could be used to silence voices against major initiatives such as the Rasmaley development. The bill, submitted by Attorney General Ahmed Usham on behalf of the government, was suddenly struck from the parliamentary agenda after facing condemnation. Opposition members warned that the legislation would stifle political debate, while some ruling‑party MPs also expressed unease. The move comes amid heightened tension over the Rasmaley project, where the government plans to grant UAE‑based Eagle Hills a 99‑year lease on 500 hectares of reclaimed land. The opposition has called for a public referendum before the deal is signed, but government lawmakers maintain that a referendum is unnecessary. Parliament has seen heated exchanges on the matter. Dr. Ahmed Shamheed described the Rasmaley project and the Noonu Atoll Township as a threat to national security, urging their immediate halt. MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa criticised the government's tax policies and what he called a pattern of “backing into corners”. MP Ibrahim Dheedi reiterated that no referendum is needed, while MP Michael highlighted the irony of increasing ministerial salaries while the public struggles under price hikes. Coinciding with the secrecy surrounding the deal, the government postponed the official Republic Day ceremony to November 19. The withdrawal of the bill is seen as a temporary victory for opposition forces, but the underlying disputes over the penal amendments and the Rasmaley lease are far from settled.