Government hesitant to vote on Ras Male' land allocation to Eagle Hills due to corruption concerns: MP Mauroof
7 ނޮވެމްބަރު 2026 | ހޮނިހިރު 10:28MP Mauroof stated that the government's reluctance to hold a public referendum regarding the permanent allocation of a large portion of Ras Male' to Eagle Hills is due to underlying corruption and malpractice. He emphasized that when granting permanent ownership of significant state land to foreign entities, it is essential to disclose full project details and seek public consultation.
Kendhoo Member of Parliament Mauroof Zakir addresses the crowd during an emergency rally held on Friday night. | RaajjeMV
The Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency, Mauroof Zakir, has stated that the government is avoiding a public referendum regarding the permanent allocation of a large area of Ras Male' to Eagle Hills because the deal is mired in deception, corruption, and malpractice.
Speaking at an emergency rally held on Friday night, Mauroof stated that if a referendum is to be held, the law mandates that the public must be clearly informed of both the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal. He further noted that if the public is properly informed, they may choose to support the project and vote "yes" in the referendum. In such an event, he said, the government should proceed with the project's implementation.
However, MP Mauroof stated that the refusal to hold a referendum on the project stems from the presence of deception, fraud, and deep-rooted corruption within the initiative.
"We are calling for this information to be clarified. We urge the government to present these details to the public and ensure full transparency. They must explain the economic and commercial benefits of this project to the citizens. If they do so, perhaps the people will agree with it and vote in favor during a referendum. Should that happen, the government should proceed with the project. However, we believe the reluctance to hold a referendum stems from the presence of deception, fraud, and corruption within this deal. We maintain that speaking out on this is our rightful duty."Mauroof Zakir
Furthermore, MP Mauroof noted that PNC members are questioning why referendums were not held when resorts were previously leased for 99 years and lagoons for 40 years. He stated, however, that those members had the opportunity and the right to act at the time, suggesting they should have come forward to protest and demand a referendum then.
Recalling that public referendums have historically been held in the Maldives even for matters as minor as cutting down a banyan tree, MP Mauroof stated that the public must be consulted before granting such a vast area of state-owned land—reclaimed using public funds—to a foreign entity, whether for free or on a perpetual lease.
