Housing minister pledges re-opening of Malé surf point

Housing Minister Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday promised to re-open the Raalhugandu surf point in Malé, local media reported.

The surf point, commonly known as Raalhugandu, was fenced off in January 2016 for the construction of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge. The US$200 million structure is due to open this week.

Muizzu said the area was closed off to protect surfers from any possible injuries while construction work was ongoing.

A free and daily ferry service from Malé to nearby island Thamburudhoo was arranged for surfers last year. Thamburudhoo is famous for two surf spots, Sultans and Honkeys.

Most Maldivian surfers could be seen at Raalhugandu, and local and international surfing competitions were also held in the area.

Separately, the former head of the Maldives Surfers Association Ahmed ‘Ajay’ Aznil was seen alongside President Abdulla Yameen during an election campaign event.

Ajay was among 11 surfers who were briefly detained in early 2016 for protesting the loss of access to the surf break.

He was arrested on a charge of obstructing the government’s work while still president of the MSA. He resigned from the post shortly after.

Also in the photo with Ajay and the president was Ahmed Muaz “Gatu Mua” who was caught on CCTV vandalising the security cameras at the Maldives Independent office in 2014.

He was arrested for removing a security camera, shortly after which a machete was found lodged in the building door. He was never charged.