Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/664438
7 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 10 APRIL 2016 News Fashion Wear & Souvenirs LIVE MUSIC LIVE MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT & MORE & MORE & MORE 15, 16 17 APRIL www.vallettawaterfront.com/colourfest Stalls, Giveaways Stalls, Giveaways & FREE ENTRY 15, 16 17 APRIL & Tense political climate puts President, bishops on the alert TIM DIACONO PRESIDENT Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and the bishops of Malta and Gozo have voiced concern about the current politi- cal scenario on the island. In an opinion piece on the Times of Malta on Friday, Colei- ro Preca warned Malta's political leaders not to "open old wounds" and "dilute democracy". "Escalating tempers will not serve the purpose of the nation but only the short-sightedness of the few," she wrote. "We must rise above the party political pique, which frequently creates undignified and bitter situa- tions." She warned that the notorious political tension in Malta of the 1960s and 1980s was the result of "destructive diver- gencies and political short-sightedness". "We need to rec- ognise the fact that there is nothing wrong with offering constructive criti- cism towards each other. On the con- trary, constructive criticism strength- ens democracy. In reality, it is the norm in a democracy to criticise, to protest and to tender arguments and counter arguments. And it is the duty of our political lead- ers to make sure that these never escalate into dangerous situa- tions." She warned that the exchange of insults and unbecoming dis- course between relatives and friends who share different po- litical views has become com- monplace on the social media. "Such negative interactions between us are not only hurtful but they instill a sense of disqui- et and anxiety among our family and our communities," she said. "Just as some of us still remem- ber the old wounds, let us not reopen such abhorrence and let us be careful not to instill hatred among ourselves. We have a duty to ensure that history does not repeat itself." In a brief statement, Archbish- op Charles Scicluna and Gozo bishop Mario Grech called on people of goodwill to "weigh the President's words carefully". "We urge all Christians to pray to God, particularly for unity, liberty, truth and justice." This past week has been domi- nated by calls for Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, energy minister Konrad Mizzi and OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri to resign over the Panama Papers scandal. The political heat turned into a show of support by PN support- ers for MP Jason Azzopardi out- side the law courts on Wednes- day, where Azzopardi was facing a defamation case. It turned ugly, when a man forcefully pushed the editor and a reporter of La- bour media house ONE News. A PN-organised protest against corruption has been scheduled for today. President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca with Archbishop Charles Scicluna Gozo bishop Mario Grech MEPA sanctions destruction of karstland in Mistra JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Authority has regularised the illegal construc- tion of walls and deposition of soil on karstland around a legally constructed dwelling off Xemxija hill located on a proposed Area of Ecological Importance. The PA's case officer called on MEPA to refuse the application, insisting that the deposition of soil on karstland had resulted in the loss of natural habitat and the construction of new walls had al- tered the original topography of the 4,000 square metre site. An enforcement order against these illegalities had been issued in 2009. The Environment Protection Directorate had insisted on the restoration of the natural habitat obliterated by the unauthorised works. The application was pre- sented by architect owner Victor Pace, who was represented by ar- chitect Robert Musumeci. The case officer also objected to additional poolrooms in a buffer zone to an Area of Ecological Importance in Mistra Road in St Paul's Bay. A previous attempt in 2008 to regularise the illegal works had been rejected by ME- PA. The case officer objected to the new rooms because the dwelling already exceeded the permitted floor area allowed by present poli- cies, which limit the built up area to 200 square metres. The Environment Protection Directorate and the Natural His- tory Advisory Committee also ob- jected, stating that the new walls have changed the site's topogra- phy. The case officer report claims that unauthorised interventions on the site included the demoli- tion of rubble walls, the construc- tion of new walls and the deposi- tion of soil on karstland. The Ramblers Association also objected to the application, de- scribing the development "as a sore thumb as one views it on driving down the hill from Mel- lieha." But the Environment Planning Commission justified its approval claiming that a comparison be- tween present and 1967 aerial photographs proved that no rub- ble walls had been demolished as claimed by the planning directo- rate and that fresh plans reduced the ancillary facilities proposed. It also argued that the deposition of soil might be permitted according to the new rural policy.