Yameen Says Silence on Rasmalé Land Deal Makes People 'Participants in the Crime'

Former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom said tonight that anyone who remains silent while part of the Maldives' land is cut and given away unlawfully — and who does not take part in activities against it — is a participant in that crime. Speaking at the "Dhivehin Ge Bin Dhivehinnah" gathering organised by the "Gaumee Haraka" at the Artificial Beach, Yameen said those who have gathered to raise their voices against giving the land of the Rasmalé project to Eagle Hills company are not a group belonging to a particular political party or colour, but Maldivian citizens who love the country. He said this marks the beginning of national unity without political division, and that the outcome is for everyone to join hands and make the Maldives a country with full sovereign power. Referring to the police and the military as well as members of the ruling PNC and members of the People's Majlis, Yameen said this is the time those parties are obligated to speak. He said that after the Maldives' independence has been lost and part of the land cut and given away, one cannot remain without working to regain that land. He said those who do not come out against this are a group participating in this crime, and that when a group that comes to power next changes the matter, all of them will be brought before the courts, criminal investigations will be conducted and criminal punishment imposed. "I am telling the police and the military and the PNC members and the Majlis members, this is now the time you are obligated to speak. Any person who does not participate in this matter now is a person participating in this crime," Yameen said. Speaking in connection with the Rasmalé project, Yameen also issued a warning to Eagle Hills Chairman Mohamed Alabbar. He said that if any other government other than President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government — whether his own or the opposition MDP's — wins the next election, the land that has been given away will be taken back to the state without any compensation. "By the mercy of Allah, whether it is me or the MDP, if any other group other than the current government wins the next election, there is no doubt. Listen, Alabbar! Listen, Zionists! Even if the Rasmalé land has been given, I will bring it back! And I will not give any compensation for it either," Yameen said. Yameen also said the Rasmalé project is not President Muizzu's own idea but was in his own manifesto, and that the biggest interest of the Maldives lies in the land issue, adding that giving land in this manner without any voice of the people is not something that can be done. "In the Rasmalé project, not even two lines will be found written in President Muizzu's pen. That is something that was in my manifesto," Yameen said. He further said the second great war also came about over land issues, and noted that work also needs to be done to find the island within the Maldives' territory.