President says 52 massage parlors closed in Male' within a week, 28 voluntarily

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said Tuesday evening that 52 massage parlors in Male' City have been closed within a week, with more than half shutting down voluntarily.  

Speaking at a meeting with residents of Galolhu, Muizzu said the issue of massage parlors had been raised repeatedly by the public, prompting the launch of a special operation on December 9.  

“As part of this operation, 52 establishments have been closed in the past week. Because of this, 28 places stopped themselves, closed their businesses and shut down,” he said.  

The President described the results as “very good” within such a short period, and pledged that relevant agencies will continue to work day and night in the coming days. He added: “We welcome the views of the people in a very positive way. Every comment is important.”  

President Dr @MMuizzu meets with Galolhu residents to listen to their views and discuss development priorities for the district. The dialogue reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to community-driven progress and equitable growth.#RayyithunGaathah#GalolhuVisit pic.twitter.com/phS2psiH5a

— The President's Office (@presidencymv) December 16, 2025

Massage parlors have operated in the Maldives for many years, with periodic enforcement actions leading to closures and arrests. Authorities say many of these businesses are linked to illegal foreign operations, an issue the government aims to resolve within three years.