MP Ziyad: If Rasmalé project proceeds, laws will be made as Eagle Hills dictates

Vaikaradhoo constituency MP Hussain Ziyad (Fitté) has strongly criticised the government, saying that if the Eagle Hills project in Rasmalé goes ahead, the country's laws will be made according to what the company dictates. Speaking at a press conference today launching the "Dhivehinh ge bin Dhivehinh nah" (Maldivians' land for Maldivians) movement, Ziyad said the project's influence has already entered the People's Majlis, referring to an attempt to bring sudden changes to parliamentary rules to prevent debate on a resolution. He said the project started with lies, as the government first said not an inch of land would be released, but now 500 hectares, roughly twice the size of Hulhumalé, are to be given. Ziyad also expressed concern over foreign millionaires settling in the Maldives, saying they would bring their own schools and places of worship. He questioned how the country would manage when multi-millionaires arrive, given that the government already struggles to control the activities of foreign workers doing small jobs.