Parliament Rejects Resolution Seeking Disclosure of Eagle Hills Agreement on Ras Malé Project

The Maldivian Parliament on Monday rejected a resolution that called for the government to disclose details of its agreement with UAE-based Eagle Hills for the development of the 'Maldives Waterfront and Marina' project in Ras Malé. The resolution, submitted by Galolhu Dhekunu constituency MP Mikail Ahmed Naseem of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), was voted down 45-10 among the 55 members present. The resolution argued that the agreement, which grants Eagle Hills over 500 hectares of reclaimed land on a 99-year lease with no rent and allows the company to sublease properties, had been kept secret, risking financial loss and corruption. During the debate, ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MPs spoke against the resolution, with Maafannu West MP Mohamed Musthafa Ibrahim describing anyone opposing the project as an enemy of the nation. The opposition MDP parliamentary group had also submitted an urgent motion on the matter earlier this month, which was also rejected by the PNC supermajority. Eagle Hills Chairman Mohamed Alabbar has said the final detailed agreement is expected to be signed on Republic Day, November 11.