Hirimaradhoo residents: No point in flying the flag at this council; uninhabited islands do not fly flags
Significant public concern has emerged following the decision to cease Hdh. Hirimaradhoo's status as an inhabited island and the subsequent dissolution of its local council. Residents have criticized the government for a perceived lack of planning, noting that essential services have been disrupted before any formal relocation arrangements were finalized. Consequently, the community is calling for the immediate reversal of the decree dissolving the island's administrative body until permanent housing is established in Hanimaadhoo.
HDh. Hirimaradhoo: Residents of Hirimaradhoo expressed deep frustration and widespread discontent during their interviews on RaajjeTV’s 'Haalu Kihineh' program. | Raajje MV
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to provide permanent housing in H.Dh. Hanimaadhoo for the residents of H.Dh. Hirimaradhoo within 18 months has been met with skepticism, with locals suggesting he might actually mean 118 months. Expressing their deep-seated frustrations, residents noted that Hirimaradhoo stands as the only inhabited island to have been effectively abandoned while its people are still living there.
Residents of Hirimaradhoo expressed deep concern during their appearance on RaajjeTV’s "Haalu Kihineh" program. Speaking to the broadcaster, they noted that while residents of other islands have been relocated in the past, no previous government has ever forcibly vacated an inhabited island while people were still living there.
One resident shared the hardships they are currently facing, stating that even the most basic services are unavailable on the island. They noted that although there is a pharmacy, it lacks even the most fundamental supplies, such as basic medication for fever.
Recalling President Muizzu’s pledge to provide permanent housing and establish full urban infrastructure in Hanimaadhoo for the residents of Hirimaradhoo—including a commitment to build a home for every household—some residents have questioned whether the President truly holds the key to fulfilling these promises. Furthermore, some residents argued that there is no justification for dissolving the council and keeping the island's flag lowered while the community continues to inhabit the island.
"There are no services available on this island. We don't even have a functioning council, so how can we expect any services? The council has been dissolved. It feels wrong to even have the flag flying at the office anymore; I believe it should be taken down. Deserted islands don't fly flags."A resident of Hirimaradhoo expresses concern
Some members of the public have heavily criticized the government's policies, claiming that the current administration is operating without a clear plan.
In my view, dissolving the council is not the right move. I am not suggesting that a constituency can never be abolished; however, a council must remain in place until the relocation of the residents is fully completed. There is no one better suited to protect the rights of the people than those from their own community. Therefore, the island's council must be maintained until all residents have transitioned to their new location. The greatest challenge we currently face is that following the dissolution of our island council and the transfer of jurisdiction to the Hanimaadhoo Council, there has been a total lack of planning on how to manage this transition. Furthermore, there is no clear framework for how the Hanimaadhoo Council is expected to fulfill the responsibilities it has now inherited.A Hirimaradhoo resident expresses concern
The residents of the island stated that Hirimaradhoo has long been a thriving community built through the hard work and dedication of its people. They highlighted that the island once sustained active fishing and farming industries. The residents further expressed that by depopulating the island while people were still living there, the current administration has left them in a state of vulnerability, showing a complete disregard for the sentiments and well-being of the community.
The decree issued by President Muizzu regarding the depopulation of Hirimaradhoo states that once the residents of the island have been resettled and registered in Hanimaadhoo within the same atoll, Hirimaradhoo will officially be designated as an uninhabited island. Consequently, the island has been removed from the list of inhabited islands in the Maldives, as specified in the schedule of Presidential Decree No. 2/2025 (Determination of Inhabited Islands in the Maldives), with the updated list now incorporated as a schedule to the new decree.
Some residents of the island have also called for the immediate revocation of this resolution.
