The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called on the government to hold a public referendum on the project to hand a large plot of land in Rasmalé to the UAE's Eagle Hills, and not to move ahead with the project until the public has decided.
In a statement, the MDP said no government has the power to set any policy, or the authority to make any agreement, that would allow foreigners to own Maldivian land. The party noted that the Constitution states all powers of the state derive from the people, and said this is therefore a matter for the Maldivian people to decide directly.
While stressing that foreign investors are always welcome, the MDP said it is deeply concerned that the information Eagle Hills has released about the project does not match what the government has disclosed. The party called for the publication of the term of the agreement signed on 21 September, the state's financial obligations under it, and details of the financial concessions given to the foreign company.
The MDP also said the government must clarify whether the deal could give foreigners a right to permanent ownership of Maldivian land.
The government has defended the agreement in response to these concerns, saying it contains nothing that would harm Maldivians or endanger national interests.
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