MDP PG "has never spoken in favor of selling Faafu Atoll"
MDP's PG is to propose an amendment disallowing foreigners to own land
MDP PG leader, Ibrahim Solih
The largest opposition party in the country, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said that none of its parliamentarians have spoken in favor of selling off Faafu Atoll, in the parliament Public Finance Committee or elsewhere.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, MDP parliamentary group (PG) denied accusations that some of its members were in favor of selling the atoll.
It said that the parliamentary group had shown disapproval in the government selling any part of the Maldivian territory, before as well.
MDP's PG has decided to propose an amendment- to bring the necessary changes to the Constitution- disallowing foreigners to own land.
Noting that the government is yet to respond to the allegations, MDP PG said that it is the opposition's responsibility to find out the truth and inform the public, especially due to the immense public concern.
The statement highlighted that the party and its PG are working to gather all the information on the matter.
Furthermore, it noted that the PG Group had requested to get all the information at the Finance Committee, and that "this does not in any way mean that the MDP PG is in favor of selling Faafu Atoll." The Constitution states that if a foreign body were to buy land in the Maldives, details of the projest must be submitted to the Public Finance Committee.
MDP is part of the opposition coalition, Maldives United Opposition (MUO), who on Monday announced that they will work to halt the sale of Faafu Atoll and if sold, they will recover the Atoll.
RaajjeMV understands that Saudi Arabia is interested in buying Faafu Atoll, as it had caught the eye of Deputy Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud.
RaajjeMValso understands that the Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud is to sign the agreement for the sale during his trip to the Maldives, in March.
An amendment passed in 2015, allows foreigners to buy land, provided they invest more than one billion dollars, and that 70% of it is reclaimed from the Indian Ocean.
