The UAE was never owned by the people. It was owned by one family and private. The family split the land into 5 portions and each is overseen and managed by a member of the family. They determined the method by which the UAE is governed or managed. They chose United Emirates not a dictatorship. They did not elect to simply turn over all ownership of the land simply to any of the masses that would settle in the UAE and demand a vote that they be deprived of their holdings. They sell the land as it benefits the UAE. They have a clear message ,If you like it here please stay, if you don't like it here please leave. Go buy your own land.
Is this company (Dubai Holdings) publicly traded, or is it solely owned as an entity of the Dubai government?