HA. Huvahandhoo handed over to company under dubious deal

It has been revealed that Huvahandhoo island in Haa Alif atoll has been handed over to a company named KD Enterprises, by the government for agriculture under a dubious deal.

The island spanning over 48.5 hectares located in the Hoarafushi lagoon, was handed over to KD Enterprises Private Limited.

Shareholders of the company are Abdul Majeed Mahir and his son Mohamed Mahin Majeed.

Looking at the information published on the website of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade regarding the company, it is clear that the company has not carried out any agricultural projects so far.

According to the information received, the agreement to handover Huvahandhoo to KD Enterprises Private Limited for running agriculture under the name of "Integrated Agriculture Development Project" was signed and the island was handed over by Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr. Maryam Mariya.

While Member of Parliament for Dhidhdhoo constituency Abdul Latheef Mohamed participated in the ceremony where Huvahandhoo was handed over to Majeed on behalf of KD Enterprises, it has been learned that Abdul Majeed, the owner of the company that was given Huvahandhoo, was very actively involved in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's presidential campaign and Latheef’s parliamentary campaign.

The government has not disclosed under what principle and under what terms Huvahandhoo was handed over to KD Enterprises. The government has also not made any announcement indicating that Huvahandhoo was opened for industrial work.

It has been noted that KD Enterprises, which was given Huvahandhoo, is a company included in the list published by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) on 17 April 2025 for not paying taxes of more than MVR 600,000 by the end of November 2024.

Although there is a general rule that tax clearance must be submitted when making contracts with companies, it is also noted that this rule was not followed in handing over Huvahandhoo.