Malé City Council decided yesterday to launch legal proceedings challenging the constitutional validity of recent amendments to the Land Transport Act, arguing the changes infringe upon its statutory municipal powers.
The resolution was passed unanimously by all 13 council members present during the 24th formal general meeting of the council’s fifth term.
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Presenting the motion, North Maafannu Council Member Hussain Furushan stated that amendments to the Land Transport Act led to the creation of the Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office (GMTMO), establishing a mandate that directly conflicts with the city council’s responsibilities.
Member Furushan said legal action is necessary because powers granted to the GMTMO either reallocate or constrain duties legally vested in the municipal body. He also proposed seeking an injunction to halt the transfer of contested powers until the court reaches a final verdict.
Under the Decentralisation Act, the council is granted explicit legal authority over municipal management. The council maintains that shifting long-held duties of an elected local authority to an entity controlled by the central government raises serious constitutional issues.
Backing the move, Malé City Mayor Adam Azim accused the government of creating deliberate obstacles to hinder the council’s work. Mayor Azim noted that the state’s interference has intensified even as the council actively maintains streets, cleans drainage networks, and tends to public greenery with strong public support.
އެއްގަމު ދަތުރުފަތުރުގެ ޤާނޫނުގައި ހުރި މާއްދާތަކެއްގެ ދުސްތޫރީ ސައްޚަކަމާމެދު ސުވާލު އުފައްދައި ޝަރުޢީ މަރުހަލާ ފަށަން މާލެ ސިޓީ ކައުންސިލުން ނިންމައިފި https://t.co/uftXfLQppi https://t.co/uDje45XzyA— Malé City Council (@MaleCitymv) November 4, 2026
