Malé City Council Calls Public Meeting Over Land and Housing Concerns

The Malé City Council has announced a special public meeting titled "People's Land, People's Voice" to address concerns over housing and land use decisions in Malé City. The meeting, scheduled for 8:30 PM next Thursday at the Malé City Hall on Boduthakurufaanu Magu, aims to provide a platform for residents to voice their opinions on these critical issues. Speaking during the 22nd official session of the fifth term of the Council, Mayor Adam Azim emphasized that the Council will not support any actions by the government or other parties that violate laws and regulations. He stated, "The Council will always stand for the rights of the people and alongside the people." Mayor Azim also raised concerns about land policies, asserting that "Maldivians do not want land in the Maldives to be sold to foreigners so that people of different religions come and conduct naturing ceremonies" and that "Maldivians will not agree to lease any part of the country at low prices." He urged all residents to attend the meeting to voice their concerns. The meeting comes after the Council filed a case last month in the Civil Court regarding the takeover of 14 plots of land belonging to the Malé City Council by the state. The government maintains that these lands are needed for various development projects, including an e-sports arena at Sultan Park, a new fish market building, a modern market complex, a day care center, parking facilities, and other public amenities.