Ras Male' project is structured in a way that could lead the Maldives into a significant state of legal disorder: Didi

Former Chief Justice Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi has warned that the Ras Male' project, as currently planned, could plunge the Maldives into a state of significant legal disorder.

Speaking during RaajjeTV’s special coverage titled "Dhivehinge Bin Dhivehinnah," Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi stated that although the specific details of the agreement between the Maldivian government and the UAE’s Eagle Hills remain undisclosed, statements made by the company’s chairman, Mohamed Alabbar, and ongoing discussions suggest the project is being conducted in violation of the Constitution.

He emphasized that such actions must cease immediately, noting that they are in blatant violation of all established constitutional principles and the fundamental structure of the Constitution, and risk plunging the nation into significant legal turmoil.

Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi stated that the Constitution mandates the People’s Majlis with the fundamental responsibility of holding President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu accountable should he undertake such significant actions in violation of constitutional principles. However, he noted that since the Parliament is also complicit and failing to cooperate in this regard, the remaining solution is to seek a judicial review of these matters through the legal system.

However, he noted that based on available evidence and current developments, it cannot be claimed that the Maldivian judicial system is independent or entirely free from government influence and control.

The Constitution mandates that the President hold a public referendum on matters of significant national importance. Therefore, the objective criteria to consider is whether this constitutes a matter of national significance. There is no doubt regarding this issue; any rational person would agree that this is a major national matter.

Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi

Citing Article 115(b) of the Constitution, Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi stated that although the article's heading refers to powers and responsibilities, most of the provisions therein constitute mandatory duties that the President is obligated to fulfill.

He stated that it is the President's responsibility to conduct public referendums on significant national issues. Furthermore, he emphasized that such substantive matters must be addressed through objective standards, noting that procedures allowing votes to be held solely at the President's discretion are inconsistent with legal principles.

Furthermore, he stated that while a public referendum had previously been conducted regarding a local administrative issue involving the Addu City Council, it is unacceptable to bypass a public vote on a major national matter like Ras Male', especially when a significant number of citizens are calling for one.

Highlighting that Article 4 of the Constitution explicitly states that all powers of the State emanate from and remain with the people, Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi emphasized that winning a presidential election does not grant a leader absolute or unrestricted authority. He asserted that the President, as well as all other elected officials, must operate strictly within the boundaries defined by the Constitution. Furthermore, he stated that leaders cannot make arbitrary decisions based on personal discretion, stressing that the sanctity of the constitutional framework must be respected under all circumstances.