Writer and activist Wayne Flask has accused developer and MDA President Michael Stivala of lying through his teeth when he said the island needed more construction.

Flask was reacting to a statement made by APS Bank CEO and current chair of the Malta Bankers’ Association Marcel Cassar during an interview with Times Of Malta.

Amongst other things, Cassar claimed that local banks are not seeing a demand for properties in high-rise buildings despite the many developments popping up around the island. The banks are rethinking their financing of certain projects due to their intensity, scale, and public outrage they caused.

“We look increasingly at the kind of development and score it in terms of aesthetics, sustainability, social and reputational impact. Do we want to be associated with a project that is likely to attract the wrong type of reaction?”

In a social media post titled ‘Towers Of Lies’, Flask says this has made him reflect and that this declaration comes from within a wider context. He also mentioned a case where Arnold Cassola was famously accused by Stivala of harming business.

“Besides, the objections made openly by these individuals and organisations are based on facts, often broken policies, and quality of life. The developments these people propose are born of speculation.”

“Do the banks ever ask Stivala, Portelli, tal-Franċiż, GAP, and other usual suspects where they source their capital from? That’s what the people who understand what’s going on often ask.”

“The truth will eventually come out, despite their power, the consultants and ex-journalists they employ.”