President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ruled out holding a public referendum on the flagship Ras Malé land reclamation and urban development project, dismissing mounting criticism from opposition figures as baseless political rhetoric.

Responding to questions during a press conference today, President Muizzu rejected suggestions that the public should vote on the controversial multi-billion-dollar initiative under the Referendum Act, which empowers the head of state to seek public plebiscites on matters of significant national importance.