Maldives Government Seeks to Make Economic Harm a Criminal Offence

The Maldivian government has submitted a bill to the People's Majlis to amend the Penal Code, proposing that acts causing significant harm to the state's economy be classified as a criminal offence. According to the bill, tabled by Maafannu Dhekunu constituency MP Abdullah Rifau of the ruling PNC, the amendment would target actions that knowingly or recklessly damage the country's economic security. The proposed offences include obstructing critical infrastructure, disrupting essential services, halting a major revenue-generating sector, or any act that leads to substantial economic loss. The bill differentiates between ordinary individuals and those holding high-ranking state positions. An ordinary person convicted under the law could face one to four years in prison, while a senior state official convicted of the same crime would face six to ten years. The bill states that if a senior official commits the offence, it would be classified as a second-degree felony. The legislation comes amid ongoing opposition to the Rasmalé land grant to UAE-based Eagle Hills. The opposition has been running a campaign under the slogan "Maldivians' land for Maldivians" against the project. The bill has been placed on the agenda for tomorrow's parliamentary session.