During President Muizzu's tenure as Mayor, 13,000 square feet of land in Male' was leased for just 13,000 Rufiyaa: Mayor Azim
11 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 18:21Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has criticized proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act, characterizing the move as an attempt to strip councils of their authority and facilitate the distribution of land to specific parties at undervalued rates. The Mayor further alleged that these changes are designed to obstruct the Council's efforts to secure fair market value for previously allocated land, while paving the way for the government to enrich its preferred associates.
From the MDP protest held in defense of the decentralization system. | Raajje MV
Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has stated that during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's tenure as Mayor, land plots as large as 13,000 square feet were leased in the capital for as little as MVR 13,000.
Speaking at a rally organized by the MDP on Tuesday to defend the decentralization system, Mayor Azim alleged that President Muizzu’s primary action during his tenure as Mayor was the leasing of Male’ lands at undervalued rates. Mayor Azim further asserted that the proposed amendments allowing the government to reclaim council lands were introduced specifically to obstruct ongoing efforts to recover the fair market value of the lands leased during President Muizzu’s time as Mayor.
Azim stated that President Muizzu is currently working to redistribute Male' lands to a specific group of people, aiming to further enrich a select few.
Over the past two and a half years, the actions of those currently in the council have involved leasing out land at undervalued rates. We are currently investigating these transactions, where plots as large as 13,000 square feet in Male' City were leased for a mere 13,000 Rufiyaa. These are clear and deliberate acts of gross misconduct.Adam Azim
Mayor Azim questioned the necessity of the proposed amendment, asking which specific land from which locality the government had been denied. He stated that councils have consistently fulfilled the government's requests to date. Azim further asserted that no council has ever withheld land when the government required it for the implementation of a project.
Furthermore, Mayor Azim alleged that these amendments were proposed not only because land theft is no longer possible under current regulations, but also to enable the government to distribute land to their preferred individuals.
The People's Majlis on Monday accepted an amendment to the Decentralization Act that would allow the government to reclaim land and properties under local council jurisdiction for national development projects. The bill, submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, was passed for consideration with 55 votes in favor.
