State appeals court order to sign with Khaleel to develop Fushidhigga

One of the two companies that Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) leased A. Dh. Fushidhigga to, after Civil Court ordered state to make agreement with Ahmed

Khaleel to develop the island as a tourist resort, has gotten involved in the appeal process.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said in their audit of MMPRC that MMPRC had sold the island to two companies on the sly in 2015, after Civil Court issued ordered Fushidhigga agreement be made with Khaleel. ACC also noted that MVR 1 million had been taken from each of the two companies.

One of the two companies – MHMI – has gotten involved in the case after state appealed the

Civil Court decision with High Court, after the given time-window for appeal passed.

During the first appeal hearing held on Wednesday, MHMI announced their involvement, saying that they had paid MVR 1 million to MMPRC. And that they spent USD 500,000 on the island.

Civil Court had said that documented evidence proved Khaleel had proposed to develop Fushiddiga as a resort in accordance with procedures set by Department of National Planning after cabinet decided to develop resorts as part of Corporate Social Responsibility Project on November 22, 2011.

And that state sent a letter to Khaleel on December 8, 2011 accepting the proposal.

Civil Court said that documented evidence also proved that state had not honored the agreement in which the two parties were bound in, after Khaleel accepted invitation sent by state to sign the agreement.

Civil Court said Khaleel had not violated any part of the agreement ordered that state honor and execute the “agreement accepting all stipulations to handover A. Dh. Fushidhigga for development as a tourist resort.