Alternattiva Demokratika have said that the Malta Labour Party and the Nationalist Party are like puppets on a string, controlled by land speculators and building contractors.

Alfred Sant’s recent statement, that he is in favour of a yacht marina in Hondoq ir-Rummien, is a clear confirmation that the Labour Party was not being honest when it said that it was against all development in the area just before the local council election in Qala last March. The Labour Party is trying to please one and all and has no clear, serious policy when it comes to the environment. Ralph Cassar, AD spokesperson for Energy and the Environment said that MLPs policies favour the few instead of defending the common public good.

AD Secretary general and Gozo spokesperson Victor Galea added: “Hondoq is one of the most beautiful bays in the Maltese islands. It has clean sea and is a magnet for ‘Qalin’, Gozitans, Maltese and tourists alike. We cannot afford to lose such a beautiful place and give it up for the benefit of the few. Public interest demands that Hondoq ir-Rummien is protected.”

Victor Galea said: “It is clear that the Nationalists want to destroy Hondoq; now it is also clear that the MLP wants the same thing. Saying that you are in favour of the marina but against the building of apartments, villas and an hotel doesn’t make any sense at all. A marina will destroy Hondoq just the same. Who would want to swim in the polluted waters? The MLP is playing a double game in the Ta’ Cenc issue as well. They are saying that they are against the extension of the hotel but in the same breath they say that they want a golf course there.”

Ralph Cassar said that all this shows that both MLP and PN are there to defend the interests of land speculators and building contractors. “PN’s Secretary general himself told us that his party is heavily financed by building contractors. Contractors provided both the MLP and PN with free building material for their headquarters. This is all happening in a country were party financing is not regulated by law, something which AD has been asking for years on end.”

Victor Galea said that although PN and MLP mayors, councillors, MPs and MEPs had participated in activities in favour of the environment in the very recent past all these parties are interested in is defending the interests of those who finance them.

“The only way to put an end to all this and to stop the PNs and MLPs arrogance is to give them a lesson by electing AD MPs in the coming general election. AD MPs will insist on far reaching institutional reforms: the Whistle Blower Act, Freedom of Information Act and the reform of MEPA will finally see the light of day with AD in a coalition government. AD will also see to it that nepotism in appointments to public entities will be a thing of the past. In fact AD has already published a draft law regulating appointments to public bodies.” Victor Galea concluded.