Parliament rejects resolution opposing government acquisition of 14 land plots in Male'
4 ނޮވެމްބަރު 2026 | ބުދަ 07:48The People's Majlis has rejected a resolution claiming that the government's decision to reclaim 14 plots of land under the jurisdiction of the Male' City Council violates the Decentralization Act. The resolution highlighted that seizing these lands would halt the council's revenue streams, creating significant challenges for the administrative operations and the maintenance of mosques across the capital.
Meekail Ahmed Naseem, Member of Parliament for the South Galolhu constituency. | rayyithunge majlis
The People's Majlis has rejected a resolution claiming that the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development's decision to transfer 14 land plots from the jurisdiction of the Male' City Council to state ownership undermines the decentralization system.
The resolution was introduced to Parliament by Meekail Ahmed Naseem, the Member for the South Galolhu constituency.
The resolution submitted by MP Meekail states that while the Cabinet holds the authority to repossess land under council jurisdiction for government development projects, the Decentralization Act mandates specific legal procedures that must be followed before such a decision is finalized. According to the law, the government is required to share project details with the relevant council and seek their formal input and consultation prior to the removal of any land from their jurisdiction.
Furthermore, the law mandates that the government must disclose full details of any project planned for land removed from a council's jurisdiction. However, the resolution notes that the Ministry of Housing decided to reclaim these 14 plots of land without providing any information beyond the project titles, and without engaging in any prior consultation with the City Council.
The lands the government has decided to reclaim are currently active revenue-generating assets for the Male' City Council. Meekail’s resolution states that since the income from these properties is utilized for the maintenance of mosques in Male' and to cover the council's administrative operational costs, the seizure would result in the loss of vital financial benefits and pose significant challenges to the council's operations.
At a time when the Council is formulating significant plans to develop parking structures and public recreational spaces to alleviate congestion in Male', the government's decision has been characterized as a major detriment to the city's residents.
The resolution further states that this decision will undermine the legal authority of local councils and pose significant challenges to the country's decentralized administrative system.
During Wednesday's parliamentary session, the resolution was rejected after 52 out of the 63 members present voted against debating the motion.
