Shaheed: PNC Government Paving Way for Tensions with Close Countries

Former President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Shaheed has stated that the PNC, currently in government, is a party that created tensions with neighboring countries even while in opposition, and is now paving the way for tensions with close countries while in government. Speaking at the 38th meeting of the 4th session of the MDP’s National Majlis held on Tuesday night, Shaheed said that the entire project of Fuvidhigaru Fushi is misleading. He stated that the current government is misleading regarding everything connected to this project, starting from the name of that place. Shaheed noted that the way money was spent there was also misleading, saying that while passing the budget, expenses not included in the budget were incurred under the guise of misleading, and up to $800 million of citizens' money was invested there. It was claimed that this was done to facilitate housing for Maldivian citizens. Then it was said that Malé would be connected to that place via a glass tunnel. Shaheed stated that the current situation is not about a glass tunnel, nor is it about the most major issue facing Maldivian citizens, which is housing. He noted that the government is now talking about handing over land filled using $800 million of Maldivian citizens' tax money to an external company free of charge, and said that while the government is doing things this way, all deprivation is being faced by Maldivian citizens and this country. "The biggest problem we are facing due to the way the government is doing this is that space is opening up for tensions among us. The party currently in government is one whose members created tensions with our neighboring countries even while they were in opposition. And while they are now in government, they are doing things that will pave the way for tensions between our close countries." At that meeting, the party passed a resolution calling on the government to take a yes or no vote to gauge public opinion regarding the Rasmalé project in Kaafu Atoll, where Fuvidhigaru Fushi is being filled and developed, and to act according to the result of the vote concerning the transaction of giving 500 hectares of land to the UAE's Eagle Hills company. The resolution states that a commercial terms agreement was signed between the Maldivian government and the UAE's Eagle Hills company on September 21, 2026, to operate the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project in Rasmalé. The resolution also states that it has been decided to give 500 hectares of land from Rasmalé to Eagle Hills for a period of 99 years without any equity cost and without any rent during the period the land is handed over. The resolution also details reasons why it appears that Eagle Hills was selected for this project outside legal procedures.