It’s been announced 577 people not included in flat list will be reviewed and given flats: Ibrahim Waheed

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Deputy Chairperson Ibrahim “Iburey” Waheed has stated that it has been announced that 577 people not included in the 4,000-flat recipients list decided by the former administration of MDP, will be reviewed and given flats.

Ibrahim Waheed said this while speaking at a press conference held by the main opposition party at their party office on Saturday regarding the issue of flats.

MDP’s Deputy Chairperson highlighted that Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib had stated that only those who were given 4,000 flats by the previous government would be reviewed.

However, looking at the flat list released on 27 February 2025, Ibrahim Waheed said that it has been announced that 577 people not included in the 4,000 flat list will be reviewed and given flats.

Waheed said that while it has been announced that 577 people not included in the flat list will be reviewed and given flats, this is not a small number. He also said that it is not a concern for anyone to receive a flat, but doing things outside the established rules is not acceptable.

In addition to this, Waheed said that it has been noted that the marks of 56 individuals have been tampered with and increased. Given this situation, he said it is unclear on what basis the current administration reviewed or changed the points on the flat list. He also noted that there is no way to investigate the matter.

Waheed said that points are something that can be seen by the individual as they log into the portal and tick off items. Given this, he said there is no way to know on what basis or criteria they changed the points on the list.

Waheed said that the current housing minister had stated that former housing minister Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed's spouse received a flat because the former government had determined them to be eligible.

Waheed said that Haidar's spouse is also eligible for a flat, but in addition to those who received flats on the MDP's flat list, there are 15,751 people who are eligible. Further, he said it's not just Haidar's spouse who is eligible among them.

Waheed said that while there are 15,751 people eligible for the flat list, it is extremely concerning that the current housing minister said only Haidar's spouse is eligible among them. He also said that if flats should be given based on eligibility as mentioned, then the other 15,749 people on the list should also receive flats.

Given this situation, Waheed said that the current administration has tampered with the 4,000-flat recipient list in order to give flats to whoever they wanted.