Despite sale of land plots in Hulhumale' at undervalued prices, ACC yet to issue an order to halt transactions
12 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ހޮނިހިރު 07:43The Ministry of Housing has clarified that the decision to sell a plot of land in Hulhumale' at a discounted rate was made to resolve a long-standing dispute dating back to 2003. While the Ministry has proactively requested the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the transaction for any irregularities, the Commission has not yet issued an order to halt the process. The land allocation was reportedly granted on the condition that the recipient relinquishes a previously allocated plot in Gulhifalhu.
President of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). | Raajje MV
Despite revelations that a plot of land was sold at a significantly undervalued price, it has emerged that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has yet to issue an order to halt the transaction.
The Ministry of Housing issued a statement clarifying 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 stated that it has decided to refer 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 currently circulating on social media pertains to a case involving Ahmed Zahir, a recipient of a land plot in Hulhumale' Phase 1. This allocation was made under the "56 Land Plots for Sale" scheme, administered by the then-Ministry of Home Affairs, Housing, and Environment on December 22, 2003.
The Ministry of Housing stated 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 at the time. According to the statement, although Ahmed Zahir repeatedly requested successive administrations to hand over the land, the property was never officially transferred to him.
The Ministry stated that the current administration decided to resolve the issue after considering 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 it became vacant following the cancellation of an agreement for a plot issued under the previous government's "Binveriya" scheme to an ineligible recipient.
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 from Gulhifalhu under the "Binveriya" housing scheme.
The Ministry stated that the transaction will proceed only after seeking guidance from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and following the conclusion of their findings. The Ministry further noted that it took the initiative to submit the matter to the ACC, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that all actions taken were in accordance with established regulations and procedures.
However, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has informed the media that it has not issued any orders to halt the sale of the land.
