Former vice president Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has raised concerns among Maldivian citizens regarding the Rasmale project involving Eagle Hills and Alabaru with UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
In a post on X, Dr Jameel said there are many concerns among the public about the agreement between the Maldivian government and Eagle Hills under Mohammed Alabbar’s ownership for the Rasmale development. He noted that in the current economic difficulties, the project is using public resources to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Dr Jameel recalled that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had promised that Rasmale would be a place of prosperity for Maldivians. However, the proposal to give nearly 500 hectares of land to Eagle Hills for 99 years for development raises serious questions about that promise, he said.
He pointed out that the Maldivian Constitution protects sovereignty and limits rights over land to foreigners. Granting land on a 99-year lease is effectively similar to giving permanent rights over the country’s territory and represents a major legal concern, he argued.
Dr Jameel called on the UAE prime minister to intervene in the interest of the longstanding brotherly relations between the Maldives and the UAE. He also urged Eagle Hills and Mohammed Alabbar to respect the rights and concerns of Maldivian citizens and to keep the projects separate.
The Rasmale project has been the subject of ongoing public discussion regarding foreign investment and land rights.