MDP Launches “Laamarukazee Gulhun” Conference to Challenge Decentralisation Act Amendments

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the main opposition party, has commenced a conference titled “Laamarukazee Gulhun” to criticise the amendments to the Decentralisation Act, which they claim threaten the autonomy of local councils.

The conference began today in Kulhudhuffushi, located in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, and is set to unfold in various phases across the Maldives. The initial phase focuses on the northern atolls, with the first events taking place in this region.

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ރައީސް @ibusolih ގެ ވާހަކަފުޅު ދެއްވުން.

ލާމަރުކަޒީ ގުޅުން – އެމްޑީޕީ ކައުންސިލަރުންގެ ކޮންފަރެންސް #LaamarukazeeGulhun pic.twitter.com/r6R9lx3wu5— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) October 12, 2024

Key MDP figures, including Chairman Fayyaz Ismail, former Vice President Faisal Naseem, Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim, and other senior officials and Members of Parliament, are participating in the conference.

The primary objective of the conference is to inform local councils about what the MDP perceives as government efforts to undermine decentralisation and to gather feedback on how to enhance the party’s governance strategies.

The conference is expected to run until Tuesday of next week, with planned visits to Shaviyani, Haa Alifu, and Haa Dhaalu atolls. According to the MDP, the decentralisation system, significantly overhauled by their government in 2019, is now at risk of “collapsing” due to recent legislative changes introduced by the current administration.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified amendments to the Infrastructure Planning and Administration Act and the Decentralisation Act last month. The MDP asserts that these changes permit the government to dictate land use in the islands without local council involvement, thereby violating the core principles of decentralisation.

The government’s decision to reduce the number of council members has also faced considerable criticism from the MDP.