Adhaalath criticizes government decision to curve out two uninhabited islands out of Fuvah Mulah

Adhaalath Party has accused President Mohamed Nasheed of declaring two regions of Fuvah Mulah to be new uninhabited islands of the country with the calculated purpose of enabling sale of alcohol at new hotels to be built in these regions.

In a press briefing held today at Adaalath’s Office, Chief Spokesperson Sheikh Muhammad Shaheem Ali Saeed said that the government had made areas of the one-island atoll known as “Thoondu” and “Bilhifeyshe” uninhabited islands so that those areas would be outside the scope of the laws that prohibit sale of alcohol in inhabited islands of the country. Shaheem also said that hotels and resorts could be run without selling alcoholic drinks.

Shaheem said that Adaalath Party was fully supportive of the development of Fuvah Mulah, although the party could never endorse development through income from sale of alcoholic drinks.

“We are not opposing the construction of a City Hotel in Fuvah Mulah for the development of that island. However, not every single hotel in this country need to sell alcohol. Converting two land areas which form parts of one island into two uninhabited island seems to be a very silly move to us. It is a foolish decision. That shows disrespect of the decision of the Maldivian citizens”, said Shaheem, who had once served as Minister of State for Islamic Affairs in the MDP government, but has recently resigned in protest of perpetuated anti-Islamic policies of the ruling party.

Shaheem called upon the people of Fuvah Mulah to stand up to the decision of the government and protest the sale of alcohol on the island’s soil. Shaheem mourned the absence of appropriate and efficient political opponents who would effectively challenge the policies of the ruling party.

Shaheem commented on the prospect of a new party to be formed by former President Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom, saying that it is a hopeful development. He also said that if the new party adopts an agreeable policy, his party might work with them.