Organisers of a planned mass protest against the Rasmale’ development deal have postponed the event from 6 November to 13 November.
Former Home Minister Imran Abdulla, a leading figure in the National Movement (also referred to as Dhivehinge Bin Dhivehinnah), said the delay would allow better preparation after the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party decided to support the campaign.
The original date was set for Friday 6 November. Imran said both the government and developer Eagle Hills are under pressure from growing public opposition. He alleged that funds already transferred to certain parties are the main obstacle to withdrawing from the arrangement.
Eagle Hills signed commercial terms on 21 September for a large waterfront and marina project on roughly 500 hectares of reclaimed land at Fushidhiggaru lagoon. Critics say the 99-year arrangement effectively hands control of land reclaimed with public funds to a foreign company without a public referendum.
The MDP National Council has passed a resolution calling for the commercial terms to be published, for a referendum to be held, and for any transfer of rights to be suspended pending the vote. The party has said it will take direct action if a referendum is not held.
A petition has also been submitted to the People’s Majlis seeking a formal parliamentary inquiry into the deal and its compliance with constitutional restrictions on foreign land ownership.