The issue is not because of the game being restricted in the Maldives but because the price difference between Malaysia and Maldives is too big. Your friend would have to update his store region to Malaysia (which requires a local payment method) for you to be able to gift him the game, just him being in Malaysia isn't enough. His store needs to be in the Malaysian Ringgit.

Your other option is to send him a digital gift card which doesn't have any regional restriction and will automatically convert to his currency.