MP Submits Issue of Thinadhoo’s City Status to Parliament

The issue of granting city status to Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Thinadhoo has been submitted to parliament following allegations of irregularities in the data used to support the decision.

Thinadhoo MP Saudulla Hilmy raised the matter, expressing concerns over the legality of the process. In a letter to parliament, he highlighted public concerns about procedural flaws, emphasising the need for corrective measures to prevent similar issues in the future.

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Last week, a constitutional case was filed in the High Court seeking to revoke Thinadhoo’s city status, citing a population below the required threshold of 10,000. Thinadhoo was granted city status during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, reportedly as part of his presidential campaign.

At the time, the island’s population was stated to be approximately 8,000, with around 5,000 residents physically residing there. However, under the Decentralisation of Administrative Areas Act, a minimum population of 10,000 is mandated for city designation.

The legal challenge was initiated by Mohamed Raghib, a lawyer and former Deputy Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, who claims the decision was based on fraudulent population data. Raghib was subsequently dismissed from his government role after filing the case.

The case has sparked widespread debate, with some demanding accountability for any procedural misconduct, while others argue the decision should stand to support Thinadhoo’s development. The parliament is expected to review the issue further in the coming weeks.