Housing Ministry: Land Sold at Low Price Over Unfulfilled 2003 Allocation
Photo: The President’s Office
The Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development addressed public concerns over the sale of a land plot in Hulhumale’ at a significantly discounted rate. The Ministry stated that the decision was made to resolve an administrative oversight dating back to 2003, during which an allocated land plot was never handed over to the buyer.
Following the online leak of documents detailing the sale of a 1,250-square-foot plot in Hulhumalé Phase 2 to Ahmed Zahir for MVR 468,750, the Ministry clarified that the discounted price settles a 23-year-old government obligation. Although Zahir paid MVR 200,000 toward a 904-square-foot plot allocated to him in 2003 for MVR 339,000, the land was never transferred.
The plot awarded to Zahir had previously been left vacant after an applicant under the Binveriyaa scheme failed to meet the program’s eligibility terms and conditions, prompting authorities to take back the unallocated land to fulfill Zahir’s settlement.
The statement noted that the government decided to sell him a plot of land in Hulhumalé at the originally agreed-upon price.
Under the terms of the agreement, the sale is contingent on the buyer relinquishing a plot of land he had previously received in Gulhifalhu. The Housing Ministry noted that it has proactively requested the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to review whether the Ministry acted within proper legal bounds regarding the transaction, adding that the Hulhumalé land will only be officially transferred after receiving legal advice and a clearance decision from the ACC.
An office memo, sent only to facilitate receipt of a payment, is being spun in the worst possible way, harming a civil staff and an elderly man who has fought for 23 years to correct an injustice. The Ministry will issue a statement tomorrow.
— Abdulla Muththalib (@muththo) September 8, 2026advertisement
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