Maldives government Friday hit-back at the opposition led criticism of the Saudi Arabia King, with a senior minister accusing the opposition of a plot to allow religious freedom in the Maldives
Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has led an outcry over a government move to lease a lagoon in Faafu Atoll to the Saudi Royal family for a mega project.
MDP has continuously accused the government of selling the entire Atoll when King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud arrives in the Maldives next week.
Government had announced the Saudi led mega project in Faafu Atoll worth USD10 billion would put the Maldives "on the map."
MDP had alleged "creeping colonialism" over the Saudi deal and police had raided the party's main camp on Wednesday accusing the party of planning a protest against Saudi King.
Responding to the opposition's allegations, fisheries minister Dr Mohamed Shainee on Friday accused an "ulterior motive" which according to the senior minister was to weaken Islamic faith allow religious freedom in the archipelago.
Shainee also said former president Mohamed Nasheed, during the MDP government had tried to bring in Saudi investments to the Maldives but the attempts had failed as the then government was actively trying to allow religious freedom in the Muslim nation.
