The gagging of Astrid Vella – Readers Letter
- Changes need to be made before the entire country is overrun with ugly developments
- Time for change at MEPA – Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar
- The case of the development of villas at Ramla Bay: A declared misdeed
- It never fails to amaze me how MEPA falls over itself – James Tyrrell
- AD asks electoral commission to reinstate all cancelled EU citizens
- FAA condemns attack on Astrid Vella by Stephen Calleja
- Police question Astrid Vella over Bahrija comments
- A turning point in Civil Society – Government cooperation?
- Letter sent to Chief Electoral Commissioner regarding resident EU citizens voting rights
- ETC removes 1,858 people from unemployment register
- Qormi development destroys 18th century Armoury – FAA
- MEPA’s Misinformation – Astrid Vella
- One of the saddest letters I have ever read – Lesley Kreupl
- Planning should mean certainty – AD
- An attack on freedom of speech – AD
It was with absolute horror that I read in the English newspapers that Astrid Vella was being sued by architect Robert Mucumeci.
As the majority of free-thinking Maltese and Gozitans are aware, Ms Vella and the FAA, as well as other NGOs, are doing an amazing amount of good in trying to protect what little is left of the heritage of this group of islands. It is to the country’s shame that such people and organizations are necessary.
I was under the impression that there is freedom of speech in the Republic of Malta, in fact, I know that it is part of the constitution, so where is it?
Why is it, that Ms Vella’s comment was selected from the many other – mostly negative – comments by Mr. Mucumeci? Does he have a problem with what he is doing? Does he want to gag Ms Vella and the FAA so he can destroy the rest of the countryside along with his merry men and their fancy developments? Or is he merely seeking publicity?
The fact that an officially registered service provider – in this case an architect, and I am assuming that he has a permit to work as such – can apparently openly boast about obtaining permission to build where others have failed, is simply disgusting. That MEPA even considers applications made by this person is unbelievable. As far as I am concerned he should be struck off whatever register architects are on and banned from public duty!
It appears too that he, together with many MEPA officials, find it difficult to understand what Out of Development Zone (ODZ) refers to – perhaps they should all go back to school?
In supporting such cases, it is about time that the Government realises that it is ruling a country which is a member of the European Union, i.e. a westernised, ostensibly civilized, country and not a 3rd world dictatorship! The legal system should also be aware of this fact and act accordingly.
Sincerely,
Lesley Gail Kreupl
Gharb,
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Hi Lesley. The reason why Ms. Vella’s comment was selected from the many other negative comments was because Mr. Mucumeci has more to fear from people like Ms. Vella. She is the one thing which people like Mr. Mucumeci fear most, a woman with a brain.
Thankfully Mr. Mucumeci doesn’t appear to be over subscribed in that department himself. If he were he would have realised immediately the stupidity of what he was contemplating and drew back from the brink so to speak. As it was he elected to opt for the stupid knee jerk reaction, which he is probably now realising is going to backfire on him.
Far from having the desired effect his actions have raised the countries awareness of irregularities in the application process and galvanised the NGO’s and the vast majority of Maltese people who care about their environment behind Ms. Vella. Well done Robert.
Speaking Truth to Power, that’s what Astrid Vella and the FAA have been doing ever since they first organized and announced their critical questions to the public. As freedom of speech is increasingly accepted worldwide, in Malta there appears to be a small group trying everything including lawsuits to silence these critics, to restrain free speech. By joining the EU, Malta brought more power to the people whose lives are affected by the decisions that are now coming under public scrutiny. Congratulations to Astrid and the FAA for helping to lead the way and waving high that banner of freedom.