Foreign freeholds amendment repealed from constitution

The prohibition on foreign ownership of Maldivian territory was restored.

Nasheed pledges to repeal foreign freehold amendment

Parliament amended the constitution in 2015, with opposition party backing, to authorise foreign ownership of land or freeholds despite calls for a public referendum.

Government denies ‘selling off’ atoll to Saudi Arabia

The categorical denial comes after Climate Home reported former President Mohamed Nasheed and foreign policy experts raising the prospect of Saudi Arabia seeking a strategic anchor in the Maldives to secure an oil route to China.

MDP warns of ‘creeping colonialism’ by Saudi Arabia

No cause for concern over ‘US$10bn Faafu atoll project,’ insists Yameen

The Faafu project will be similar to “mixed development projects in French Riviera” with “international sea sports, mixed development, residential high-class development, many tourist resorts, many airports,” Yameen said.

Government tight-lipped amid growing clamour to reveal Saudi project for Faafu atoll

Speculation of the imminent sale of Faafu atoll to the Saudi royal family intensified this week when the media learned of the Saudi King’s upcoming official visit to the Maldives, prompting concerns over the scope for corruption, threats to sovereignty, and potential damage to the environment.

President’s announcement revives rumours about the sale of Maldives atoll to Saudi Arabia

The president described the project as a township or an integrated development project involving various industries and open to travellers from all over the world.

In letter to Modi, Yameen pledges to keep Indian Ocean demilitarized

President Abdulla Yameen, in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has assured India that Maldives will keep the Indian Ocean demilitarized and will not allow foreign military bases in the Maldives, report Indian media.

Youth group launches campaign calling for public referendum on foreign freeholds

Mabrook Azeez, a member of the ‘Heylaa’ (Awake) youth group, said the gathering was planned as “a networking event” to share views on the issue, enlist participants, and plan the campaign against allowing foreign investors to own land in the Maldives.

Saudi Arabia opens embassy in Maldives

Saudi Arabia opened an embassy in the Maldives for the first time on Sunday as agreed upon during President Abdulla Yameen’s state visit to the kingdom in March.

Campaign against foreign freeholds gains more support

The Youth Integrity Network (YIN) called on President Abdulla Yameen to revoke the amendment last night and joined hands with youth movement Heylaa [Awake] in organizing a rally on Friday (August 7).

Youth group calls for referendum on foreign freeholds

A youth group has called for a march on August 7 to urging President Abdulla Yameen to hold a public referendum on a constitutional amendment that allows foreigners to own land in the Maldives.

China denies planning military bases in Maldives

China “has always respected and supported the Maldives’ efforts to maintain its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity,” the Chinese foreign ministry has said. “What the relevant people said about China building bases in the Maldives is totally baseless,” it added.

Comment: Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day

“The future holds the prospects of foreign military bases on Maldivian territorial waters; becoming embroiled in Indian Ocean security issues and potential naval warfare; forced internal migration; living in slum cities; absolute loss of way of life and identity; and total subjugation to a ruthless dictatorship that will always put money before people,” writes Dr Azra Naseem.

Gayoom’s call for referendum on foreign freeholds dismissed

Dismissing former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s call for a public referendum on foreign freeholds in the Maldives, vice president Ahmed Adeeb said today: “The former president has raised his personal concerns. But the president of Maldives today is President Abdulla Yameen.”