Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has called for the 2015 amendment to the constitution’s law on foreign ownership land to be withdrawn.

In a tweet on Thursday, the leader of one part of the ruling party said it was an absolute ‘must’ for the law to be repealed.

On July 22^nd, Maldives’ unicameral parliament voted to amend article 251, which prohibits the foreign ownership of any Maldivian territory, though it can be leased for a period not extending 99 years.

The amendment stipulates that any party or individual that wants to permanently acquire land in the country, must invest a sum of USD 1 billion, reclaim at least 70 percent of the island and this area should be visible at medium tide.

Despite foreign ownership, the territory would still be Maldivian and subject to its law, the bill states. It was a controversial piece of legislation that sparked criticism from the opposition, and concern from the international community – namely India.

Criticism for the bill began resurfacing as speculations arose that the government had plans to sell the entirety of Faafu atoll to Saudi Arabia, sparking concern on various news sources and social networks. 

Gayoom was Maldives' third president had occupied that position from 1978 to 2008. He was also the Progressive Party of Maldives' (PPM) leader before its split into two factions - one loyal to him and the other to his half-brother, current President Abdulla Yameen.