News Desk
MALÉ, Maldives — The hall of Kalaafaanu School was crowded last night, as President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu arrived to meet with residents of Henveiru ward. It was the latest stop in a series of neighbourhood consultations that have taken him across Malé — from Maafannu to Machangolhi to Vilingili — and now into the heart of Henveiru, where frustrations over governance and daily struggles spilled into the open.
A Challenge on Constitutional Power
The evening’s most pointed exchange came when a resident rose to accuse the President of sidelining the people in decisions that directly affect them.
“You changed the constitution to give political parties the power to dismiss elected MPs without consulting us,” the man declared. “Where is the power of the people? Where is the opinion of the people?”
President Muizzu stood tall before the crowd, pushed back. He insisted that he had travelled across the islands to hear the voices of citizens. “People’s representatives are elected in a certain way,” he said. “They vote if they contest from a certain party, and they vote if they contest independently. If they change, it goes against the people’s decision. The change brought to the Constitution is meant to respect the people’s decision.”
The constitutional amendment, passed last November, requires MPs to resign if they leave their party or, in the case of independents, if they later join one. For many in the audience, the change symbolized a widening gap between elected officials and the constituents they serve.
Pension Funds and the Promise of Reform
Another resident shifted the conversation from politics to livelihoods, lamenting the small amount received from deposits accumulated after years of service. His wish was simple: to use the money to start a business.
President Muizzu acknowledged the concern, noting that pension funds can already be accessed in special cases — for the Hajj pilgrimage or for buying land and housing. But he promised more flexibility. “I am proposing to amend the law to allow the use of money in the pension fund in more special circumstances,” he said, pledging to introduce amendments when Parliament reconvenes in February.
Housing: The City’s Most Pressing Question
Housing, as in nearly every meeting in Malé, dominated the night. One resident described how his family, long tied to the city, had been excluded from land schemes because of a rule requiring five years of continuous residency.
“The current rule creates a huge gap in eligibility for housing,” he said. “The gap is people who have been living in the city for less than five years but have lived in the city all their lives.”
President Muizzu’s response was conciliatory. “We will think about it and provide the greatest relief by shortening the period as much as possible,” he said. “It can be abolished altogether. Looking at it, we want to give as many people as possible a chance.”
He also promised changes to housing schemes that currently bar one-bedroom flat owners from applying for larger units. “Families are growing and it is difficult for large families to live in them,” he said. “Therefore, we are making a change so that if you leave a one-bedroom flat, you can apply for the three-bedroom scheme.”
Building for the Future
The President also outlined ambitious housing projects. Of the 7,500 flats planned, 4,000 will be built in the Gulhifalhu. The Bank of Maldives will construct 2,700 flats in Hulhumale’ and 300 in Villimale’, while 4,500 more will be built under India’s Line of Credit.
He said dredging of Hulhumale’ Phase III was underway with two dredgers, and land handovers would begin next month. “I am confident that the land will be handed over to the beneficiaries as soon as the dredging is completed,” he said.
Judicial Independence and the End of Revenge Politics
Turning to the judiciary, President Muizzu sought to reassure residents that his government had ended political interference. “The judiciary is truly independent,” he said. “No one would dare to say that I or the government is influencing the judiciary.”
He repeated his vow to eliminate revenge politics. “There will be no political arrests in these two years. So I will not influence the courts,” he said.
President Muizzu promised changes to the Judicial Service Commission and legal amendments to strengthen independence. Already, he argued, courts were showing more willingness to act against drug cases and serious crimes. “The people must feel that the judiciary is truly operating independently when the next steps are taken,” he said.
A Dialogue That Reveals Frustration and Hope
The Henveiru meeting revealed both the frustrations of Malé’s residents and their hopes for relief. From constitutional rights to pensions, housing, and judicial reform, the questions were sharp and the answers often cautious.
For President Muizzu, the evening was another test of his promise to listen. For the people of Henveiru, it was a chance to demand that listening turn into action.
