MP Shamheed calls for immediate halt to Rasmalé and N. Atoll township projects

MP Ahmed Shamheed, representing Hulhumale Dhekunu Dhaaira, has stated that the Eagle Hills Rasmalé project in the Maldives and the Noonu (N.) Atoll township project must be halted immediately. Speaking on a motion submitted by MP Mikaail Ahmad Naseem, Shamheed described the conversion of land originally designated for a resort in Noonu Atoll into a residential township for foreigners as a major mistake by the government. He also noted that the Rasmalé land reclamation, which cost $500 million from the state budget, is being given away for free without any guarantee of recovering that amount. Shamheed further criticised the 'Pearl Residency' visa program, which grants residency to foreigners who purchase real estate in the Maldives, calling it a serious threat to national security and sovereignty. He previously submitted a resolution to halt the projects, but it was rejected by a vote of the PNC majority in Parliament.