Colombo, March 2 (NIA) – The Maldives Opposition, on Thursday strongly objected to the Maldives government’s decision to allegedly sell an island in the Maldives to the Saudi government.
The Maldives Democratic Party, which is led by former President who is now in exile in Britain, Mohamed Nasheed, said in a statement that Maldives President Abdulla Yameen had recently announced plans to sell Faafu atoll to the government of Saudi Arabia, without any form of consultation with the people of Faafu or the Maldives.
“This has resulted in understandably public outrage. To date, no information on the proposed project has been shared with the public,” the MDP alleged.
“The MDP expresses serious concern that the Faafu plans – which would allow a foreign power to control one of the country’s 26 atolls – amount to creeping colonialisation by the Saudi government.”
The MDP further condemned the government and the police for effectively threatening legal action against Maldivians who oppose Saudi Arabia and the Saudi king.
The party alleged that in a flagrant violation of the Constitution and Maldivians’ fundamental rights to free expression, the police warned on Wednesday that anyone who acts in a manner that is “offensive to a foreign dignitary” would face action.
The Saudi King, King Salman is due to arrive in Male in mid March.
The MDP alleged that Faafu residents have vowed to protest the Monarch’s visit.
