The amendment bill to the Penal Code that suggests new crimes concerning genocide and economic sabotage has also been taken off the agenda for Wednesday’s parliamentary session, having been removed from Tuesday’s agenda at the final moment.

The proposal, presented by South Maafannu PNC MP Abdulla Rifau, was initially scheduled for review on Tuesday, as indicated in the agenda released on Parliament's website on Monday evening. It was subsequently taken out, and the updated schedule for Wednesday no longer features the bill either. The official reasoning for the continuous changes has not been provided by Parliament yet.

The amendment suggests adding a new section called Genocide following Chapter 140 of the Penal Code. It would make illegal five actions taken with genocidal intent against national, ethnic, racial, or religious groups, such as murdering group members and inflicting serious physical or mental damage.

The legislation further establishes four offenses concerning willfully or carelessly inflicting significant harm to the national economy, which includes sabotaging essential infrastructure or computer systems associated with that infrastructure.

The amendment has attracted public interest because of the continuing debate over the Rasmale’ project. Certain citizens and political leaders claim the legislation aims to suppress dissent regarding the project, whereas the government has consistently affirmed that Israeli individuals and organizations will be prohibited from acquiring property in Rasmale’. Attorney General Ahmed Usham stated that the amendment brings in compulsory modifications needed per the Genocide Convention, which the Maldives has long overlooked.