Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545920
A standalone reform to sus- pend construction work until all planning permit appeals are decided was unveiled by Robert Abela and Planning Minister Jonathan Attard on Tuesday. The prime minister de- scribed the proposed reform as a "very important" aspect of the planning system and one that required "urgent action" to ensure works are suspended during appeals. The urgency has long been felt, so much so that it was Ab- ela who first announced the reform in May 2023. None- theless, legislative proposals took years to materialise and when they finally did last year, the appeals reform was part of a controversial wide-ranging overhaul of planning laws that led to massive protests. Gov- ernment finally backed down and now, after the election, has put forward a reform limited solely to appeals. Abela acknowledged the in- justice of the current set up that allows developers to pro- ceed with works even as the planning permit is being ap- pealed. "This led to uncertainty and injustice for both appellants and permit holders, leading to innocent third persons like property buyers losing their investment after a permit for the property they bought is re- voked," Abela said. He insisted the proposed reform showed "where the government's heart beats." He said this situation put people in limbo, including objectors who were found to be in the right but were faced with a fait accompli. WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT €1.00 WEDNESDAY • 22 JULY 2026 • ISSUE 1003 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY EDITORIAL • PAGE 11 MFA endorses Infantino for re-election THE Malta Football Association is among the 200 associations that have endorsed Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president. The MFA defended its decision, ar- guing the world football's governing body has become "more stable and sustainable" during his decade in of- fice. The endorsement comes amid grow- ing scrutiny of Infantino's leadership. Last week, more than 200 of FIFA's 211 member associations publicly backed Infantino's expected re-elec- tion campaign, a show of support which effectively leaves the Swiss-Ital- ian official without a serious challeng- er ahead of the next FIFA Congress. CONTINUES PAGE 3 WEDNESDAY EDITION JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Reform halts construction works pending appeals Personal Loans NEW BOAT? All loans are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from the Bank. The term of the loan must not go beyond re rement age. Issued by Bank of Valle a p.l.c. 58, Triq San Żakkarija, Il-Belt Valle a VLT 1130. Bank of Valle a p.l.c. is regulated by the MFSA and licensed to carry out the business of banking in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371 of the Laws of Malta). Compe ve Interest Rates Prime Minister Robert Abela and Planning Minister Jonathan Attard unveil planning appeal reform to stop works pending a final decision • First Reading tabled in parliament on Tuesday CONTINUES PAGE 3 KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt JOHANN CREMONA TAKES THE STAND AS FENECH'S TRIAL ENTERS ITS 18TH DAY PAGE 6 Prime Minister Robert Abela and Planning Minister Jonathan Attard (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)