The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said on Sunday it would not participate in the government’s efforts to formulate a 20-year national development plan, accusing the Mohamed Muizzu administration of lacking transparency and acting in bad faith.
The party said it had received a request for talks from Nexia Maldives Pvt Ltd, which has been commissioned by the government to draft the plan.
While acknowledging that “a long-term national development plan is indeed important,” the MDP voiced concern over “the way the government is proceeding under the pretext of formulating such a plan.” It added that even after President Muizzu announced such a plan would be formulated, the government has pressed ahead with airport construction and other projects without any plan – announcing new infrastructure projects and initiating development work in various areas, while many previously launched projects remain stalled.
“Meanwhile, new projects are being launched in some areas, land reclamation around Malé remains incomplete, and the abolition of atoll councils and the relocation of communities from their islands are being announced,” the MDP said.
The party added that it did not believe the government had “genuine intentions” in pursuing the initiative, citing what it called repeated violations of the Constitution, disregard for the principles of good governance and arbitrary changes to regulations, including those on environmental protection.
“In such circumstances, there is no assurance that any revised plan will be respected or implemented,” the statement read.
“For these reasons, this party does not consider it necessary to participate in this effort at this time,” the MDP said.