Movement Against Rasmaale Sale Demands a Referendum

The 'Dhivehineegae Bin Dhivehinna' movement, which has announced a major protest in the capital Male' against the sale of Rasmaale to Mohamed Alabbarr, a UAE national described as an ally of Israel and Zionists, has called for a public referendum. During a press conference held today, legal counsel Ali Hussain stated that the movement's demand is to hold a referendum to gauge public opinion on the Rasmaale deal. 'We are advocating for the process of signing that agreement to be paused and for a referendum to be held,' Ali Hussain said, adding that giving land to Zionists represents a major change for the Maldives' region. The protest is scheduled for November 6, as announced by former Home Minister Imran Abdullah at the press conference. 'This is not something that can be done secretly, by going somewhere and signing in the dark. The entire future of the Maldivian people cannot be changed in this way without the consent of the Maldivian people,' Imran said. The government maintains that Rasmaale is being leased for 99 years. However, Alabbarr's company, Eagle Hills, stated that if the land is sold before the initial 99-year lease expires, a new 99-year lease period would begin. A commercial terms agreement for the sale of the 500-hectare Rasmaale, reclaimed from the Fushidhiggaru Falhu lagoon using state funds, was signed on September 21. Efforts are underway to sign a permanent agreement for the project on November 11, which is Republic Day in the Maldives. The deal follows President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's pledge that not a grain of sand from the reclaimed land would be given, even for a day, to any foreign party, whether by lease or for free. 'Every grain of sand in that land [Rasamale] reclaimed belongs to the Maldivian people. It is not land that will be given to any foreign party, even for a day, by lease or for free,' President Muizzu had stated.