Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537507
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 16 JULY 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 He further distanced himself by saying that the sanctioning process is carried out by the PA autonomously and that "politicians do not interfere in these de- cisions." Abela stated that the €1.8 million fee was "substantial," but when reminded that Polidano, known as "Iċ-Ċaqnu" is one of the richest people in Malta, the Prime Minister noted that the PA does not take into consideration an appli- cant's financial position. He did not re- ply when asked whether this was just. He further stated that he doesn't be- lieve the decision sets a dangerous prec- edent "because that's the point of sanc- tioning." To add insult to injury, Abela com- pared Iċ-Ċaqnu's sanctioning to a 2016 regularisation scheme for owners whose property is not fully compliant with PA policies and regulations due to minor irregularities. The Prime Minister then stated that he doesn't believe that a politician should comment on whether or not this law is just. PM doesn't believe PA's decision to sanction decades worth of illegalities sets a dangerous precedent Developer Charles Polidano, known as "Ic-Caqnu" ADPD slams government's failure to clamp down on illegal developments ADPD Chairperson Sandra Gauci describes the current administration as 'a supermarket government that practices the traditional politics of favours and nepotism in support of bullies' THE ADPD has noted govern- ment's continuous failure in policing illegal developments as well as its deliberate weak- ening of enforcement tools. In a statement on Tuesday, the party took note of a recent Om- budsman recommendation to heavily increase the maximum fines for illegal developments to €100,000. The Ombudsman also spoke of inadequate regu- lations surrounding structures like kiosks, canopies, and tables and chairs. The party's secretary gener- al Ralph Cassar noted that the Ombudsman's work to reveal the inadequacies of public ad- ministration is being under- mined by Robert Abela and his ministers. "It is deeply hypocritical to preach about how well insti- tutions are functioning and how much you want to defend the public service, while at the same time ignoring these same institutions so as not to step on the toes of those close to the Labour Party," he stated. ADPD Chairperson Sandra Gauci noted that the Planning Ministry's refusal to consider the Ombudsman's recommen- dations is a sign of arrogance. "According to media reports, not even the Prime Minister is interested in ensuring that the public interest is safeguarded" Gauci noted as she referred to Robert Abela's comments to MaltaToday where he shrugged off concerns on Iċ-Ċaqnu's for- given illegalities. Gauci described the current administration as "a 'super- market' government that prac- tices the traditional politics of favours and nepotism in sup- port of bullies." She questioned whether there is someone close to power who would be harmed if govern- ment were to implement the Ombudsman's recommenda- tions. MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt The Montekristo Estate, owned by Polidano Group was sanctioned by the Planning Authority following decades of illegally- built structures