Special RTL ferry services arranged to transport attendees to a PNC rally in Hoarafushi, which was attended by MTCC CEO Saudee

It has been revealed that RTL ferries were used to transport people from various islands to attend a PNC rally, which was attended by MTCC CEO Ahmed Saudee and several senior ministers of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration.

MTCC operated special ferry trips outside its regular schedule to transport residents from various islands in Haa Alif and Haa Dhaalu Atolls to a PNC rally held in HA. Hoarafushi on Friday night.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, the President of the HA. Hoarafushi Island Council, Mohamed Waheed, stated that PNC supporters from various islands in the Haa Alif and Haa Dhaalu atolls arrived in Hoarafushi on an RTL ferry at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Friday night. However, he noted that RTL ferries do not typically operate trips to the island at any time after 5:00 p.m.

Waheed questioned the protocol under which RTL ferries were utilized to transport people to a PNC rally in Hoarafushi, alleging that the vessels were used to bolster attendance after the unscheduled event failed to garner local support.

At approximately 20:15, an RTL ferry arrived carrying residents from various islands across this atoll and Haa Dhaalu Atoll to attend a rally held on this island. It is reported that another RTL ferry made a subsequent trip later that evening, also transporting passengers for the same event. Typically, RTL ferry services conclude by 17:00 or 18:00 at the latest. However, it remains unclear under what regulations or policies these ferries were utilized late last night for a political gathering attended by MTCC CEO Saudhee and several government ministers.

Mohamed Waheed, President of the HA. Hoarafushi Island Council

Speaking to RaajjeMV on the condition of anonymity, an MTCC official stated that they were unaware of the incident but emphasized that RTL ferry services cannot be operated outside of their official sanctioned schedules. The official further clarified that RTL ferries are not available for private hire or charter under any circumstances. Consequently, the official characterized the use of RTL ferries to transport participants to a PNC rally outside of the regular schedule as a violation of established protocols.

RTL ferries are permitted to transport passengers as much as necessary during their regularly scheduled trips. However, there is no information to suggest that people were transported for a PNC rally outside of the official schedule as claimed. RTL ferries are not available for private hire. If RTL ferries were indeed used to transport people to a PNC rally in the manner described, it is unclear under what regulations such an action would have been taken. There has been no known change to the existing policies.

An official from MTCC

Photos and videos circulating on social media show participants of the gathering heading to the Hoarafushi harbor to board RTL ferries returning to their respective islands.

In addition to MTCC CEO Saudee, the PNC rally held in Hoarafushi on Friday night was attended by the Minister for Strategic Communications at the President's Office Ibrahim Khaleel, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed, and Vilimale' constituency MP Mohamed Ismail.

Several residents of Hoarafushi have informed RaajjeMV that the decision to transport people via RTL ferries at the last minute was prompted by the poor turnout for the PNC rally in the home island of Saudee, Khaleel, and Mohamed Ismail.

Opposition groups are heavily criticizing the government, claiming this marks the first time in Maldivian history that RTL ferries have been utilized for political purposes.