Rasmale is neither an investment nor a project – it's a scam: Imran Abdulla

Former Home Minister Imran Abdulla has described the government's Rasmale land reclamation scheme as a scam, saying it can no longer be considered an investment or a development project. Speaking on Raajje TV, Imran said the land reclaimed from Fushidhiggaru Falhu and named Rasmale by President Muizzu could not be described as an investment or a project. "The way I can best describe it now is a scam run by young people," he said. Imran noted that the reclamation was started to fulfil a presidential campaign promise by President Muizzu to find a permanent solution to the housing problem, and that a commercial terms agreement was signed with Eagle Hills on September 21. He also highlighted that President Muizzu had previously said not a single piece of land in Rasmale would be leased to any foreign party, even for a day. The former minister alleged the project had been pursued with trickery and deceitful intent, and claimed the reclamation had consumed dollars needed for medicine, food and other trade. He further alleged that after spending all that money, President Muizzu now intends to hand the area over to "an Arab who perfectly fits the definition of a Zionist." Imran warned that if the Eagle Hills project in Rasmale is not stopped now, the next government would not be able to cancel the agreement, because the compensation that would have to be paid would be unaffordable for the Maldivian economy.