President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that 104 massage parlours have been shut down since 9 December, and 922 foreigners who did not submit their biometric data have been deported since 17 November.
He made the statement at the official opening of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC)’s new office.
In his address, the President said both issues had been neglected in the past due to former governments failing to take adequate action against them. He highlighted the efforts undertaken by the current government to effectively address societal issues and enforce the law.
Speaking on the issue of illegal migrants in the Maldives, the President said 362 of the deported foreigners had failed to submit their biometric data since 15 November.
On massage parlours, the President said 104 massage parlours were closed within a month, and expressed concern at the large number of such establishments. He said these establishments arose due to societal opportunities that were previously unchecked.
Addressing Male’ City’s longstanding housing issue, the President said the opportunity to apply for 15,000 plots in Ras Male’ and 7,900 flats in the Male’ area will open on 15 January. The government aims to resolve the housing issue by the end of the current term, he said.