Parliament receives motion demanding full disclosure of Ras Male'–Eagle Hills deal

A resolution has been submitted to the People’s Majlis calling for the full disclosure of the agreement between the Maldivian government and Eagle Hills regarding the "Ras Male'" project, seeking to determine the legislature's stance on the matter.

The resolution submitted by Member of Parliament for South Galolhu, Meekail Ahmed Naseem, calls for the full disclosure of the commercial terms agreement signed between the Maldivian government and UAE-based Eagle Hills company. The agreement pertains to the development of the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project in Ras Male', the details of which the government has yet to make public.

The resolution states that Article 250 (a) of the Constitution mandates that any state-owned asset may only be transferred, sold, leased, mortgaged, disposed of, or subject to any such agreement in accordance with the law. Furthermore, the resolution notes that Article 251 (a) of the Constitution explicitly prohibits the ownership of any part of Maldivian territory by any foreign party.

Furthermore, the resolution highlights that Article 29 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of information. The resolution states that the government is withholding details regarding the commercial terms agreement signed with the UAE-based Eagle Hills company for the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project in Ras Male'. It further notes that the government has justified this secrecy by claiming that detailed procedures will only be established as the project progresses.

The resolution highlighted that Ras Male' represents the nation's most valuable asset, intrinsically linked to the future development of the Maldives. However, it noted that based on the details disclosed by the government thus far, there are significant areas of concern regarding the project.

The statement highlighted concerns regarding the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement signed between the government and Eagle Hills on September 21. It further noted that the terms of the deal are particularly troubling, as they stipulate that the state will not recover the costs of land reclamation, despite the project being funded by public tax revenue.

Furthermore, the resolution highlights that over 500 hectares of reclaimed land in Ras Male' has been leased to Eagle Hills for a period of 99 years. It also notes that the agreement was structured such that no acquisition costs or lease payments are required.

The resolution states that the agreement grants Eagle Hills the right to sublease developed properties on the land to third parties. It further asserts that keeping the details of such a large-scale project confidential poses significant risks to state assets and public finances, while potentially creating avenues for corruption.

The resolution noted that during the official ceremony held on July 26, 2024, to mark the Maldives' Independence Day, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that Ras Male' would "not be leased or given for free to any foreign party, even for a single day." However, the resolution highlighted that an agreement has been reached to grant over 500 hectares of reclaimed land in Ras Male' to the company Eagle Hills for a period of 99 years.

The resolution states that monitoring the actions of the executive branch, holding the government accountable, and taking necessary measures in accordance with the Constitution and the law are constitutional mandates vested in the Parliament under Article 70 (b) (3) of the Constitution.

The resolution therefore aims to call upon the government to disclose the agreement pertaining to the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project planned for development in Ras Male', while also seeking to ascertain the views of Members of Parliament on the matter.