A coalition of NGOs have addressed an open letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela, urging him to immediately withdraw the controversial planning reform bills.
The letter accuses the government of acting undemocratically, highlighting that there was no public consultation preceding these proposed laws.
“These are not reforms, they are tools designed to facilitate a complete takeover of the country by the development lobby… These are the dangerous signs of a government captured by powerful interests, eroding the very foundation of democracy in our country,” the organisations wrote in a public statement.
The organisations further accused the prime minister of ignoring their requests to discuss reforms in the sector “for years”.
“Consistently, you have ignored our requests and instead produced a draft reform that is nothing more than a wish list for developers. It is clear that these laws are intended to dismantle almost all existing safeguards in the fields of environment and planning,” the letter reads.
They further noted that the laws were presented “hastily and in the middle of summer.”
“This is not behaviour worthy of a democracy. In the name of decency, in the name of democracy, we are calling on you to immediately withdraw these draft laws and launch a transparent and inclusive process for reform in the environment and planning sectors.”
The organisations renewed their urgent appeal for the immediate withdrawal of these dangerous bills. They warned that the country now stands at a critical crossroads: should the Government persist in enforcing these laws, it would spell disaster for Malta and for the future of its children. The organisations once again called on Government to launch a transparent and inclusive process for reform in the environment and planning sectors.
The organisations have further announced the first action against the proposed laws for this evening outside parliament.
These are the organisations that signed the letter:
Azzjoni: Tuna Artna Lura
BirdLife Malta
Din l-Art Ħelwa
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar
Friends of the Earth Malta
Għawdix
Moviment Graffitti
Nature Trust – FEE Malta
Ramblers Association
Wirt Għawdex
