Former foreign minister Abdulla Khaleel and others have publicly criticised aspects of the proposed agreement under which 500 hectares of land in RasMale would be allocated to UAE-based developer Eagle Hills.
Khaleel has said that information now circulating suggests the land could be transferred on a permanent basis rather than the 99-year lease previously described. He has called for clearer answers from the government on the exact terms.
PNC parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falah has responded by characterising Khaleel as prioritising personal interests over the country. Other MPs, including Mohamed Aslam and Mohamed Abbas, have questioned whether the arrangement places the country's long-term interests second to those of the developer.
Former MWSC managing director Abdul Matheen has claimed that Eagle Hills founder Mohamed Alabbar has worked to align Muslim opinion with Jewish perspectives, and has warned of losses for future generations. Member Mohamed Abbas has asked whether the country's waliyyul amr is President Muizzu or Alabbar.
Former president Abdulla Yameen has criticised the silence of religious scholars on a deal that would allow long-term foreign presence without purchasing the land. The government has indicated that a permanent agreement is expected to be signed before Republic Day, with related legislative changes already under way.
A resolution has been submitted to the People's Majlis calling for full disclosure of the terms between the government and Eagle Hills. Opposition parties have said they are reviewing the project.
The developer has previously revised its public statements on the arrangement. No final signed permanent agreement has yet been released.
