Former President and MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed has cautioned party colleagues that going after Eagle Hills Chairman Mohamed Alabbar over the planned Rasmale’ development could cost the Maldives dearly.
In a message sent to the MDP National Council WhatsApp group on Wednesday night, Nasheed said sustained harassment of the UAE businessman would harm the country and could disrupt ongoing Emirati investments. The government and Eagle Hills have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and independent voices since the project was announced.
Nasheed pointed out that the MDP had already released an official position on the Eagle Hills venture. He also reminded members of the party’s earlier decision to remove former Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim for publicly contradicting MDP policy. The reference served as a clear signal that further public dissent would not be welcomed.
While many opposition figures continue to campaign against the project, Nasheed has kept a more measured stance. He has said he supports the idea in principle and is mainly concerned about its location inside the already crowded Greater Malé area.
What the MDP Officially Said
The party’s statement welcomes foreign investment and backs efforts to grow the private sector and expand free trade. At the same time, it urges the government to publish the full Eagle Hills agreement. MDP leaders noted clear gaps between what the company has told the public and what officials have claimed.
Nasheed’s intervention lands at a sensitive moment. The Rasmale’ plan has become a flashpoint for wider worries about transparency, land use, and the influence of large foreign developers. Whether the warning cools the temperature inside the MDP or simply adds another layer to an already heated debate remains to be seen.
