Fayyaz Accuses Muizzu of Using Death Penalty Debate to Divert Attention from Ras Malé Deal 

Former Economic Development Minister Fayyaz Ismail has accused President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of using renewed discussions on enforcing the death penalty to divert public attention from concerns surrounding the government’s agreement with UAE-based developer Eagle Hills over the Ras Malé development.

In a video posted X, Fayyaz, who is seeking the Maldivian Democratic Party’s presidential ticket for the 2028 election, said the President’s recent remarks on capital punishment were intended to shift attention away from what he described as questionable arrangements involving reclaimed land at Fushidhiggaru Falhu.

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Fayyaz said a bill submitted to the People’s Majlis had further exposed concerns over the transfer of land under the Ras Malé agreement. He reiterated his position that the government should seek a public mandate on an arrangement of such national significance.

If the bills in parliament are passed, Maldivians will no longer have the freedom to criticize the president or the Rasmale’ deal. Instead of listening to the concerns raised by the public, President Muizzu has shown he does not care about the opinion of Maldivians, and is willing to defy them and the constitution to make the Rasmale’ deal happen.— Faya HQ (@Faya_HQ) November 9, 2026

He also accused Muizzu of misleading the public about the project and questioned why the President had chosen to raise the issue of capital punishment while concerns over Ras Malé remained unresolved.

Fayyaz argued that the President’s emphasis on executing convicted individuals was intended to appeal to a section of the public that supports the implementation of the death penalty, while diverting attention from the land agreement.

The government signed a Commercial Terms Agreement with Eagle Hills on 21 September for a proposed development covering 500 hectares of reclaimed land at Fushidhiggaru Falhu, designated as Ras Malé. The land, reclaimed using public funds, is to be leased to the UAE-based developer for 99 years without an acquisition fee or land rent.

The agreement has faced sustained criticism from opposition politicians over its financial terms, transparency and implications for national sovereignty. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has demanded publication of the full agreement and called for a public referendum before the government grants rights over the land to Eagle Hills.

The President also defended his administration’s position on capital punishment at a press conference on 9 November, saying the government intended to enforce death sentences in accordance with legal procedures and standards. A separate Capital Punishment Bill was submitted to Parliament that day.