First Light

Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr Abdulla Muththalib gave the estimate in a written reply to a question from South Hulhumalé MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed, Adhadhu reported on 19 October 2026. The ministry's letter puts the cost of completing its ongoing projects at MVR 58,831,473,267. PSM News (opens in a new tab) reported the figure as about USD 3.82 billion.

The minister said the 2026 budget does not set fixed amounts for individual projects, because the government is using a programme-based budget and the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises releases funds according to implementation plans. Five airport projects are under way: Gan in Addu City, Makunudhoo in Haa Dhaalu, Magoodhoo in Faafu, Alifushi in Raa, and Isdhoo Kalaidhoo in Laamu. The Isdhoo Kalaidhoo project has not yet been contracted, PSM reported, and the minister said he does not expect the projects to need funds beyond their estimated completion costs.

Opposition members had criticised the 2026 budget for not showing project-level costs. At the Ahaa Forum on 18 October, the Finance Minister said 1,273 projects are under way and that payment systems are in place to release project funds promptly, according to Adhadhu.

The Ministry of Tourism has lowered the acquisition prices for leasing islands for resort development in atolls with few resorts, Adhadhu reported on 19 October 2026. The change covers Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Laamu and Addu City, and revises prices the ministry set in a notice issued in June 2025.

In all the listed areas except Laamu, the base price falls from USD 500,000 to USD 400,000, a cut of 20 per cent, and the per-hectare rate falls from USD 35,000 to USD 25,000, a cut of about 29 per cent. In Laamu, the base price falls from USD 800,000 to USD 700,000 and the per-hectare rate from USD 75,000 to USD 60,000. The premium for islands larger than 41 hectares falls from USD 1 million to USD 500,000, and is now based on island size instead of location. Lease prices for lagoons are unchanged.

Adhadhu noted that, although many islands have been offered for lease, few qualified investors have come forward, and that several resort projects under way have passed their completion deadlines.

The People's Majlis approved the Maldives' accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at its sitting on 19 October 2026, The Edition reported. All 64 members who voted supported the motion. The report did not state who proposed the motion.

Under the Optional Protocol, individuals and groups may bring complaints that a state party has violated rights under the convention to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The committee can generally consider a complaint only after all available domestic remedies have been exhausted, with exceptions set out in the protocol.

The UN General Assembly adopted the Optional Protocol in 2006, and it entered into force in 2008, according to The Edition.

The Diplomatic Missions, Consular Posts and Privileges of International Organisations Bill was read for the first time at the People's Majlis sitting on 19 October 2026, PSM News reported. The bill was proposed by the government and is sponsored by Mohamed Dawoodh, MP for North Kulhudhuffushi. Its stated aim is to establish a framework for these privileges that is consistent with international treaties to which the Maldives is a party.

The bill covers diplomatic missions, consular posts, UN specialised agencies and other relevant bodies. It sets out the privileges of each group, their scope and the rules for granting them, and the functions and duties of consular officers. It provides tax and duty exemptions for consular posts on goods imported for their own use, and for consular officers and their households on personal goods imported within the first six months of taking up residence, if not for commercial use. Maldivian nationals working at consular posts would have immunity for acts in their official capacity but would remain liable for applicable taxes and fees.

The report did not state which committee will review the bill.

An amendment to the Rules of Procedure of the People's Majlis that would require motions submitted to the Majlis to be put to a vote before debate was before members on 19 October 2026, Adhadhu reported. The amendment has been submitted but not passed, and the report did not name its sponsor or the reasons given for it.

Under the current rules, motions are handled under the procedure used for bills, according to MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem of South Galolhu. Speaking against the amendment, Meekail said it would remove debate on motions and would prevent public discussion in the Majlis of MPs' benefits, protections and privileges. He also said the Majlis rules are not the governing party's own rules.

Speaker Abdulrahim Abdulla stopped Meekail's remarks after he used the word "bots" in his remarks. The Speaker said the debate should remain on the amendment and that members should not be described as "bots" in the chamber. The amendment will need a vote of the Majlis before it can take effect.