Police Directed to Question Expats at Night by Presidential Order
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has directed the Maldives Police Service, in coordination with relevant authorities, to begin questioning expatriates found in public areas between 12am and 6am.
On a post on X, president Muizzu said that the decision was taken due to increased expatriate involvement in disruptive actions occurring late at night. He said that he had directed police to target expatriates found outside between 12am and 6am, question those encountered and take legal action against any violations.
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ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގައި އުޅެމުންދާ ބިދޭސީންގެ ތެރެއިން ބައެއް ފަރާތްތަކުން ރޭގަނޑުގެ ދަންވަރު ވަގުތުތަކުގައި ރަށުތެރޭގެ އާއްމު މަސްލަހަތު ގެއްލޭ ފަދަ ކަންކަން ކުރަމުންދާތީއާއި އާއްމު އިޖްތިމާއީ މިންގަނޑުތަކާއި ޚިލާފަށް އުޅެމުންދާތީ, ދަންވަރު 12:00 އިން ފެށިގެން ހެނދުނު 06:00 އާއި…— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) December 17, 2025
The president’s directives follow recent increased efforts by the Ministry of Economic to tackle irregular expatriates and unlicensed foreign-run businesses, as outlined by Minister Mohamed Saeed. The public has been urged to report information on illegal expatriates and concealed foreign business ownership. Authorities have identified some expatriates operating in sectors prohibited under the Foreign Investment Act, prompting stricter enforcement. Within the first 41 hours of opening a reporting channel, 29 businesses were reported for suspected illegal operations.
