Skip to main content

Return public land to the people


This morning during a press conference outside the Auberge de Castille, AD chairman Michael Briguglio called for the removal of illegal boathouses at Armier. During the press conference, Cacopardo rightly pointed out that the current situation is a "result of the complicity of politicians holding public office during the past 40 years. They turned a blind eye when public land was taken over abusively and acted as if nothing unusual had happened."

I have been repeatedly told that politics is about believing in justice and truth, and standing up for what is right. That it is about being of service to the people and not a quest for popularity.

And I think this it is about time with put all these nice words in action.

I think it's unjust that those who took over public land for their private enjoyment are still enjoying it today, at the detriment of the law-abiding public.

I think it is immoral that both parties attempt to make pre-election deals to sanction illegalities, in order not to lose votes.

I think that even if unfortunately, the vote of the thief is equal to the vote of the honest, morally, I care more about the vote of one honest law-abiding citizen, than about the votes of a thousand law-breakers.

The owners of illegal buildings need to be persuaded that they have enjoyed our property for more than enough, and that their repeated requests for government to sanction illegalities and for Enemalta to build a sub-station at the tax-payers' expense, is a slap in the face of justice and the rule of law.

I know that this might cost me votes from many constituents, even friends, but we must call a spade a spade.

I appeal to the two major parties to stop being held ransom by the votes of law-breakers, at the expense of losing the trust of the law-abiding tax-payers, who are increasingly becoming disillusioned with the political class. This country cannot afford it any more.

And being a candidate for the Nationalist Party, I believe that we, as Nationalists, should be at the front-line in protecting our Nation's resources, including public land and the environment.


Comments

  1. William GrechOctober 24, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    Well said! Now please do not stop at simply having published this post - which is already a positive step. You are part of the Nationalist Party; actually a candidate for the next general elections. You can raise this point within the Party. We need more politicians like you and maybe you can persuade others to join you in this cause. I encourage you to keep up your good work. I only wish my locality (Sliema) had more politicians of your calibre.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Anthony SammutOctober 24, 2012 at 6:35 PM

      Thanks for your comment William. Will be doing my best to raise this issue within the Party. I believe that politicians cannot keep succumbing themselves to vote-threating.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who's the real monster?

I usually hate comparisons, but some very different reactions from the 'great unthinking' rabble do merit some analysis. In May this year, the notorious dog Star was found buried alive . A prima facie , this looked liked the most horrific case of animal cruelty, and is still considered so by some. The perpetrator was described by the sensitive and caring animal-lovers as a villain, a heartless monster, deserving of death, stoning, or even to be 'buried alive in the same manner'. But what did Mr. Vella actually do, according to the testimony heard in Court? Star was sick. It was shedding fur, and quite old already, and its owner did not afford the treatment. In trying to save some money from paying for the dog to be put to sleep and killed properly by vets, she gave it to Mr. Vella to have it killed himself. Nothing much to make people angry till now. Mercy-killing of very sick and suffering animals is widely done and usually acceptable. You may
17 comments
Read more

Shema Yisrael, the cries of the Palestinian people

You live a peaceful life in a modest home. You've never bothered anyone and you've never caused trouble. Out of the blues, a group of people claim that they should live in your house. Why? Because they have been persecuted in a war, and they claim that some 5,000 years ago, their God had told them your home was their promised land. Somehow, the whole community agrees with their wishes, and asks you to grant them your spare-bedroom. You oblige. After a few months, they take the whole top-floor. In a few year's time, they take over your kitchen. After a few more years, they own your house and keep you and your family locked in the bathroom. They don't even allow you to get out, while they strip-search you the few times they do. Even if it's a medical emergency. Sometimes not even medical personnel and ambulances are allowed to see to your needs while your children die in your hands. Desperation starts hitting you. Life seems to offer no hopes. In moments
10 comments
Read more

Why I am dropping out of the Anti-ACTA protest

Like many avid internet users, I have followed with interest the debate about ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement). After reading numerous articles, watched sensational videos, and discussed ad nauseam with friends, I have realized that what I have come across is a campaign hi-jacked by lies, myths and misconceptions as to rival Malta's misinformed divorce referendum campaign. I have to say that the videos on Youtube   got me worried. I quickly signed the petition, joined the Anti-ACTA groups, and prepared myself for a full-blown fight against the big-governments who want to intrude on our privacy and freedom of expression. Like our MEP Edward Scicluna invited us to do in the University debate last Wednesday, I did not try to understand the details of ACTA but rather saw who the players behind it were. But as usual, my logical instincts took over, and his call to not try to understand ACTA actually pushed me to read the text. And here's what I now know: ACTA is
19 comments
Read more