Politics
On September 1, 2026, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the 19th amendment to the Decentralization Act passed by the People's Majlis, which grants the Cabinet the authority to reclaim land within the jurisdiction of local councils for state development projects. This amendment, which stipulates that the Ministry of Finance must provide compensation for prior investments when the government reclaims land, has faced strong criticism from opposition MDP members and councils, who argue that it undermines the powers of the decentralization system.
On September 1, 2026, important decisions regarding the amendments made to the Decentralization Act of Administrative Divisions of the Maldives and lands under council jurisdictions were decided and announced. The main goal of these decisions is to empower councils with additional authority in managing island lands and formulating land-use plans, thereby further strengthening the decentralized system. Furthermore, it was noted that the changes brought to the policies on leasing land and allocating land for various economic and social purposes would strengthen the financial standing of the councils. With these reforms, service delivery to the public will be expedited, paving the way for land-related decisions to be carried out through decentralized principles.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih called for the freeing or release of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on 1 September 2026. In this call, he noted the importance of releasing Maumoon from detention and appealed to the relevant authorities regarding the matter. Speaking on this issue within the political arena, he stated that making such a decision is necessary for the stability and interest of the nation. Following this appeal, significant attention has been drawn to the issue.
In connection with various political news developing in the Maldives, notable criticisms and debates were observed among political figures on 1 September 2026. While different parties are expressing diverse opinions and concerns regarding the shifts taking place in the political landscape, information regarding this is being widely reported in the media. Such news and criticisms have further heated up the country's political climate, drawing substantial attention to these topics among the public as well.