Alabbar's claims regarding opportunities and jobs during his visit to the Maldives are akin to "promising the moon": Ali Hussain

Former Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency and prominent lawyer Ali Hussain has characterized the promises of opportunities and jobs made by Eagle Hills Chairman Mohamed Alabbar during his visit to the Maldives as "reaching for the stars." He cautioned that the nation must not "slaughter the goose that lays the golden eggs" for the sake of short-term financial gain.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "TV Talk" program, Ali Hussain remarked that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is making grand promises similar to those made during a courtship, where one might claim they could "bring down the stars" for another. He further noted that Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Eagle Hills, who recently visited the Maldives, had made similarly unrealistic pledges regarding the Ras Malé project during his trip.

Referring to the allegations that a significant portion of Ras Male' has been leased to Eagle Hills for 99 years, Ali Hussain stated that extensive efforts are being made to distort the facts of the matter. He further noted that by mobilizing ministers to defend the project, it has been demonstrated that Alabbar is the primary authority within the entire system.

He stated that this reflects the tragic situation in which the country finds itself today.

Emphasizing the need to stand against the destruction of the nation's valuable resources for short-term financial gain, Ali Hussain stated that the government must not adopt a policy of "killing the goose that lays the golden eggs." He further warned that if the Maldives' lagoons and uninhabited islands are leased to foreign parties for 99 years without any competitive bidding, there would be nothing to stop future administrations from exhausting all remaining resources in the same manner.

Similarly, Alabbar is essentially coming in and exerting dominance. He is demonstrating his power by gathering all the ministers together. He is effectively sidelining the President to signal who is truly in charge. This is the reality of the situation we have found ourselves in. That is why I am saying we must not sacrifice our future for a small amount of money. We must not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Former Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency and legal professional, Ali Hussain.

Furthermore, highlighting the issues of congestion and housing in Male', Ali Hussain stated that the greatest challenge facing the public is the housing crisis, noting that thousands are living in suffocating conditions within a city so overcrowded that even walking the streets has become a struggle.

Ali Hussain stated that while land reclamation is carried out under the guise of addressing the public's housing needs, the primary focus must remain on the true objective: ensuring that citizens are actually provided with adequate housing.