President advises on the amendment to allow foreign ownership of land

President Abdulla Yamin Abdul Gayoom has advised the MPs of PPM and MDA on the amendment to allow foreign ownership of land in the Maldives.

MP for the Gemanafushi constituency, Jameel Usman told Sun Media today that the President Yamin told the members of the Parliamentary Group why he wants to make the change to the Constitution.

MP Jameel said that the meeting is still ongoing at the Presidential Palace and the Tourism Minister Adheeb and the Chief Judge, Mohamed Anil also shared their advice on the bill.

The amendment presented to the floor by the leader of the PPM’s Parliamentary Group, Ahmed Nihan Hussian Manik says that land ownership would be given to foreign projects that invests more than one billion USD. But that would be only allowed for projects passed through the Parliament.

MP Nihan’s reasons for submitting the amendment:

- Introduce large investments to the Maldives

- Create an environment for sustainable investments

According to the amendment from the former Majority Leader of the Parliament, Nihan, the foreign owners would have the right to pass the said land to a second party.

The amendment also says that if the state wants the said land back, it can be done through a court order for a fair return.