President Muizzu Announces Closure of 96 Illegal Massage Parlors in 22 Days

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has revealed that 96 massage parlors engaged in illegal activities were shut down within 22 days as part of a special operation in Malé. The operation, launched on December 9th, 2025, targeted establishments suspected of facilitating illicit activities rather than their permitted business operations. Speaking via a post on X (formerly Twitter), the President expressed regret that such venues continued to attract customers despite their illegal nature. He emphasized the importance of collective societal efforts to address such issues, stating that societal improvement requires unified intentions, actions, and opinions. Massage parlors in the Maldives have long been used as fronts for prostitution, with previous raids resulting in numerous closures and arrests. Notably, many of those arrested in such cases are undocumented migrants.