Policy denying land to islanders in Male' must end: MP Ghafoor
Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor has called for the abolition of the "permanent address" classification to end discrimination against residents from the atolls in the allocation of land within the Greater Male' Area. Arguing that reclamation projects like Hulhumale' are funded by public tax money, the MP emphasized that housing opportunities must be accessible to all citizens equally. He further urged the government to eliminate such discriminatory practices to uphold the fundamental principles of equality guaranteed by the Constitution.
Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa speaks during a sitting of the People's Majlis. | Majlis
Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, the Member of Parliament for the Hanimaadhoo constituency, has stated that people from the islands are currently denied land plots in the Male' area and are only offered flats, asserting that this policy must be abolished.
During the debate on the amendment to the Citizenship Act proposed by Mohamed Ibrahim, the MDP Member for North Galolhu, MP Ghafoor stated that introducing specific models tailored for certain groups leads to numerous complications, asserting that the current situation is a direct result of such issues.
MP Ghafoor highlighted that the cost for a resident of an island to travel to Sri Lanka is several times higher than that of a person living in Male'. He noted that while such disparities exist in many areas, equal opportunities must be provided to all Maldivian citizens. To achieve this, he stated that the first step must be the abolition of the "permanent address" system.
Furthermore, MP Ghafoor stated that while residents from the atolls are allocated flats in Male', they have never been granted land plots. He emphasized that the reclamation of Hulhumale' was funded by the collective tax contributions of all Maldivian citizens.
No individual born in the islands, nor any resident from the atolls, has been granted land or a plot in the Male' region. While people from the islands are allocated flats, honorable members are granted land. Is this not the reality of how things are being handled? This must not be the case. Hulhumale' was reclaimed using the funds of the Maldivian people, as were all other reclaimed areas. Honorable Speaker, every citizen in this country must have equal access to these opportunities. Today, that equality does not exist. It is absent because discrimination is being practiced based on one's permanent address. This is a direct form of discrimination. This is blatant discrimination. This inequality must be eradicated from our nation. There should be no distinction whatsoever between a resident of Male' and a resident of the islands.Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, Member of Parliament for the Hanimaadhoo constituency.
MP Ghafoor stated that the Constitution of the Maldives must ensure equal opportunities for all citizens. He further noted that the disparities between residents of the islands and those of Malé are created by governments, asserting that the administration has the power to change this.
