MP for Baarah constituency Ibrahim Shujau has threatened to take legal action if the protests against the leasing of V. Bodufinolhu, continue.

Shujau made these remarks while speaking at a gathering held at the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC)’s campaign house on Thursday.

The lawmaker claimed that development projects initiated in the Maldives have not been halted due to protests, in the past either.

Shujau said that he was speaking from experience and that the former ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had hindered the projects in the island nation in the past, by staging protests.

The lawmaker added that this had resulted in adverse impacts and that at the time Kulhudhuffushi Airport was being development, a group of people representing MDP in Kulhudhuffushi City had staged a protest, calling to protect the mangrove swamp.

However, these protests were ignored and the project was inaugurated.

Shujau added that MDP had also initiated protests through surfers, when the government initiated the bridge construction work as well.

Adding that the incumbent administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu will not hesitate to bring those who encourage such activities to justice, Shujau stated that justice will be served, irrespective of whether or not they have ruled in the past.

The PNC lawmaker’s threats come at a time the incumbent administration has announced its decision to lease the only white sand sandbank located in Vaavu atoll, known as Bodufinolhu, for resort development.

Following this decision, owners of guesthouses and liveaboard vessel across of Vaavu atoll and Kaafu atoll staged a protest against the leasing of the sandbank, on Thursday.

The protest was staged on the sandbank, by members of the Vaavu atoll council, tourism entrepreneurs as well as members of the general public employed in the sector and others.

The sandbank and the surrounding lagoon in Vaavu atoll were leased for a total of USD 729,000 which is approximately MVR 11.2 million.

The protestors’ main concerns revolved around leasing the only remaining spot for tourist excursions. Protestors stressed that the sandbank can be accessed during low as well as high tides and stressed that it is currently being utilized by resorts from Vaavu atoll as well as neighboring atolls for tourist excursions.