Questions mount as Ministry issues statement to defend controversial low-cost land sale!
10 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ބުރާސްފަތި 08:20The Ministry of Housing has requested the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the controversial low-cost sale of a land plot in Hulhumale, describing it as a long-standing issue unresolved since 2003. Although the government maintains the transaction was executed based on a prior agreement, the deal has faced significant public backlash and legal scrutiny, with lawyers questioning its legal validity.
Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr. Abdulla Muththalib. | Presidents office
The Ministry of Housing has issued a statement defending the sale of a land plot at a significantly low price, following public exposure of the transaction.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Ministry of Housing explained that the decision to sell a plot of land to an individual named Ahmed Zahir for 400,000 MVR was made to resolve a long-standing dispute spanning 23 years. The Ministry further noted that it has decided to submit the transaction to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for review to ensure there are no irregularities in the decision.
The Ministry stated that the internal memo circulating on social media pertains to the case of Ahmed Zahir, a recipient of a land plot in Hulhumale' Phase 1. This allocation was made under the "56 Land Plots Sold from the Village" scheme, which was administered by the then-Ministry of Home Affairs, Housing, and Environment on December 22, 2003.
In a statement, the Ministry of Housing noted that documents issued on December 24, 2003, by the Hulhumale' Development Unit of the President’s Office confirm the plot measures 904 square feet and was valued at MVR 339,000. However, the statement further highlighted that despite Ahmed Zahir’s repeated requests to successive administrations to hand over the land, the property was never transferred to him.
The Ministry stated that the current administration decided to resolve the matter after reviewing his living conditions and the commercial terms of the previous land sale agreement. The Ministry further clarified that the decision to sell the plot to Ahmed Zahir was made after the land became available following the cancellation of an agreement with an ineligible recipient under the previous government's "Binveriya" housing scheme.
The Ministry stated in its announcement that the decision to sell the land to him was made upon his agreement to relinquish all rights to the plot he had previously been allocated in Gulhifalhu under the "Binveriya" housing scheme.
The ministry's statement has raised several pressing questions. Specifically, concerns have emerged regarding the circumstances under which a previously allocated plot of land had to be sold, and why Ahmed Zahir failed to establish his claims in court earlier, despite reportedly possessing all the necessary documentation.
At the same time, many are asserting that there is no legal basis for the sale of state-owned land to the Ministry of Housing, emphasizing that all such transactions must be conducted in accordance with established legal frameworks.
Furthermore, a legal expert specializing in such matters told RaajjeMV that even if a land sale transaction had taken place, it must be conducted in compliance with all necessary legal requirements. Highlighting that the statement referred to the matter as a commercial transaction, the lawyer noted that in such dealings, the living conditions of the individual are irrelevant; the sale must proceed regardless of whether the person is of high net worth.
He pointed out that there are instances where the Attorney General has refused to accept legally binding court rulings, citing decisions made by a presidential committee. He questioned why such compensations are being granted without a court order. Furthermore, he questioned why legal counsel was not sought before the matter became public on social media and drew widespread criticism.
