The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced that it will not participate in the current administration’s formulation of a 20-year National Development Plan, citing a lack of clarity, consistency, and genuine intent behind the initiative.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, MDP, the largest opposition party in the country, criticized the government’s approach to national planning under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s leadership, stressing that development projects are being implemented arbitrarily and without a coherent strategy.

The statement reads that MDP sees no purpose in participating in a process that is inconsistent and lacks transparency, and that while the government speaks of a long-term development plan, it continues to launch projects without any planning framework or public consultation.

The party questioned the rationale behind setting a 20-year timeline for the National Development Plan, asking who was consulted during the process and how such a long-term strategy was determined without stakeholder input.

MDP has also accused the government of initiating new projects, such as airport construction and land reclamation, without completing existing ones, citing the unfinished reclamation projects around the Greater Malé Region as an example. The party also expressed concern over recent proposals to abolish atoll councils and relocate island communities.

The statement goes on to read that while work remains incomplete on earlier projects, the government has now turned its attention to reclaiming Fushidhiggaru lagoon through various means, highlighting that announcements are being made without proper justification or planning.

While reiterating its belief in the importance of a well-structured, long-term development plan, MDP stressed it had serious concerns about the current administration’s intentions and practices, describing them as incompatible with the principles of good governance.

Highlighting that the government’s continued disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law, and established state systems is deeply troubling, the party noted that even well-founded environmental protection regulations are being arbitrarily altered.

MDP further noted that there is no indication that any plan formulated under the current government would be respected or implemented with integrity.

The party confirmed that Nexia Maldives Private Limited, the private firm contracted by the government to develop the National Development Plan, had requested a meeting with MDP. However, the party formally declined the invitation, stating it would not be part of what it called an “incoherent and unserious” exercise.

As of now, the government has not responded to MDP’s statement or addressed the criticisms raised.