MDP Opposes Any Transfer of Maldivian Land to Foreign Parties, Says Fayyaz

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will not allow even “an inch” of Maldivian land to be given to foreign parties, the party’s former chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has said.

Fayyaz made the remarks in a post on social media, responding to reports that the government is considering legal amendments to allow land ownership or long-term land rights in the Maldives to be granted to foreign entities. He said that no such discussions have taken place at the Cabinet level or through any other official mechanism, and warned against attempts to quietly push through changes that could have long-term consequences for national sovereignty.

He accused the current ruling coalition led by the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) of repeatedly altering the Constitution and key laws whenever they come to power, alleging that such changes are often aimed at serving narrow political or financial interests rather than the public good.

Fayyaz recalled that in 2015, when the PPM held a parliamentary majority, constitutional amendments were passed to allow foreign ownership of land under specific conditions. He noted that those changes were later repealed when the MDP secured a majority in Parliament, reflecting the party’s longstanding opposition to transferring land rights to foreign parties.

In his statement, Fayyaz further alleged that President Mohamed Muizzu is using religion and nationalism as political tools, while his words and actions suggest a very different agenda. He questioned whether there is anyone within the ruling PNC whether a minister or a senior political figure, who is willing to openly speak out against such policies and defend the country’s sovereignty.

He stressed that the Maldivian people will not accept any move that compromises national land or sovereignty, and warned that any attempt to revive or reintroduce laws allowing foreign land ownership would face strong political and public resistance.