Fayyaz Ismail, chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has accused President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of straying from the commitments outlined in his campaign manifesto by pursuing initiatives that contradict his public promises.

The criticism came after President Muizzu posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressing frustration over what he described as politically driven attempts to misinterpret his pledge to create urban centers across seven regions in the Maldives.

The creation of these urban centers is a major focus of the current administration’s regional development strategy, promising three centers north of Malé and four to the south.

However, Fayyaz alleged that the President’s approach has been entirely contrary to what he pledged during his campaign, stating that the decision to develop the seven islands as urban centers was made without public consultation.

He claimed that the announcement lacked transparency and community involvement, further alleging that the administration’s 20-year national development master plan appears to be following the same non-consultative approach. 

Abdulla Shahid, MDP President, echoed Fayyaz's concerns, questioning why certain areas, including the larger Thiladhunmathi Atoll and other southern regions, were omitted from the plan.

He emphasized that residents of these regions deserve an explanation and that decisions of this scale should involve discussions with local and atoll councils.

President Muizzu in his post had referenced to specific points in the manifesto, asserting that the sustainable regional development policy outlined in Chapter 4 covers the Male’ Urban Region, a Northern Integrated Development Zone in 3 northernmost 3 atolls , and a Southern Integrated Development Zone in southernmost 3 atolls .

He reiterated that the development of these seven urban centers is part of a 20-year master plan, which he claimed would include input from citizens, experts, councils, and relevant authorities.