Nasheed says his comments on resort products were mistranslated and falsely interpreted

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has clarified that alcohol and pork should not be allowed in residential areas, saying his recent remarks have been misinterpreted and falsely translated.

Nasheed made the comments at the official launch of K. Maafushi’s new destination brand, Heart of Maldives, held on Friday night. He had said that the “products” sold in resorts should also be available in tourist hotels on inhabited islands to promote local tourism.

While Nasheed did not specify which products he was referring to, some interpreted his remarks as a call to allow alcohol and pork sales in the atolls.

In response, Environment and Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim said at a press conference on Tuesday that it is not the government’s policy to permit the sale of alcohol and pork in rural guesthouses or tourist hotels. He stressed that such items should not be allowed in residential areas under any circumstances.

Later on Tuesday, Nasheed posted on social media platform X, saying his speech was being deliberately misrepresented “by inventing false meanings and translations.” He described such actions as harmful and expressed concern.

Dhahkaa vaahaka, saafu saadhaa, mah dhivehi bahun dhahkaa iruves, kanda elhigen idhifushah, dhogu maanayaai tharujamaa eejaadhu kohgen, meesmeehunnah gehlundheyn ulhey kamee kanboduvun huri, nurakkaatheri kameh. Resort faharugai libey, ehenas meehun dhiri ulhey rahrashugai…

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) December 23, 2025

Nasheed clarified that alcohol and pork are not the only items unavailable in tourist hotels on inhabited islands, and that other services are also lacking. “Alcohol does not need to be allowed in residential areas,” he wrote.

At the event, Nasheed also reflected on past restrictions in the Maldives, including limits on education and tourism, and said the country should now consider equalising the services offered across different types of tourist establishments.

“It is unfair that the services and goods provided to tourists in resorts are not provided by the big hotels in the islands. We should think about bringing about that equality,” he said.

Alcohol and pork remain prohibited in inhabited islands, though cases of liquor being smuggled into the atolls and the capital continue to be reported, with arrests made from time to time.