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Friday 30 May 2025
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
Lawyer Ali Hussain speaks on behalf of 'Fahi Union' which is offering legal aid for individuals committed on the current administration's revised flat list. (Sun Photo/Naish Nahid)
Lawyer Ali Hussain, citing individuals who were omitted when the current administration published the revised list of recipients of 4,000 housing units developed by Fahi Dhirulhun Corporation (FDC) originally compiled by the former administration have the right to pursue legal action current administration, states ‘Fahu Union’ will provide necessary legal assistance in this trajectory.
‘Fahi Union’ is a non-profit that advocates for the public on matters related to flats and land plots awarded by the government.
The current administration released a revised list of flat recipients following a review of the former administration’s list on February 27th.
Only 1,820 people were declared as recipients of flats in the revised list which was compiled after reviewing the forms of 4,939 applicants.
Speaking during a press conference on that day, Housing Minister Dr. Abdulal Muthalib said the current administration’s review of the forms of 4,939 applicants uncovered that points were unjustly allocated for more than half of these forms.
The individuals who were omitted on the revised list were enraged.
Speaking during a press conference held by Fahi Union’s legal team on Thursday, Ali Hussain said many people were omitted on the revised list because the current administration amended the regulations that had been formulated and published by the former administration.
Ali Hussain rejected the current administration's assertion that the regulation remained unchanged, stating that it had indeed been amended and that the public was unaware of this change.
However, Ali Hussain stressed that Article 6 of the initial regulation deemed the flat transaction one that is complete and as such, nullifying a completed transaction and infringing the rights of another individual amounted to a violation of the agreement. As such, he said the individuals omitted from the list of recipients of the 4,000 flats have the right to pursue legal action against the government, adding the claim will be made seeking compensation for the damages they have suffered.
According to Article 6 of the regulation, the recipient of the flat will be officially handed over the flat following the execution of an agreement between the recipient and a party designated by the implementor of the scheme.
Ali Hussain said the government can only nullify the agreement through a court process, and any subsequent appeal process. He added that the recipient of the flat cannot be declared as its rightful owner without a final court ruling backing up the statement.
As such, Ali Hussain said Fahi Union is presently conducting a serial program to assist people who lost their flats to pursue legal action against the government.
“In this regard, Fahi Union has set up an office where efforts to address the public’s concerns regarding the flats will be undertaken. I want to note that we, Fahi Union, will provide any assistance and cooperation required by the public concerning these flats,” he added.
Ali Hussain said the Union is taking on the responsibility because, in practice, it is easy to challenge the government.
He argued that flats have already been awarded as per Article 6 of the regulation. Hence, Ali Hussain said the individuals who lost the flats can seek legal action for infringing a completed transaction and request an interim order to cease the government’s efforts.
‘Gedhoruveriya’ is a social housing scheme that was launched by the former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration. The first 4,000 units under the project was built in Hulhumale’ Phase II by the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC). The MDP administration released the list of recipients of the first 4,000 flats in its last days. However, the list drew the scrutiny of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), following allegations of irregularities and corruption in the award of the flat.
The corruption watchdog ordered for the suspension of the issuance of flats as it investigated the case, before finally giving the Housing Ministry the go-ahead to proceed in February 2024, after which the Housing Ministry initiated a lengthy review of applications.
The new list was released on February 27 after a verification process that lasted over a year.
The first 4,000 flats built under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme include:
As per the original list of recipients, 4,939 applicants were deemed eligible for the flats.
ORIGINAL LIST:
But following verification, only 1,820 were deemed as rightful recipients.
NEW LIST:
