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maltatoday SUNDAY 4 MARCH 2018 28 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday said he had reported allegations by Labour leader Alfred Sant, claiming there was exchange of monies in the award of a MEPA permit for the development of a disco on Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's land at Mistra, to the Commissioner of Police. As Labour's political campaign driven by allegations of corruption intensifies, Gonzi said he would not have any of his ministers "in the shadow of investigations". "This goes for all ministers. It must not be politicians to investigate these cases, and this is where I disagree with Sant. Now, after calling the Commissioner of Police a smokescreen, I see he has taken his case to him. The same cannot be said of his 'inves- tigation' of Charles Mangion and Karmenu Vella. But for me, if a report comes my way, it is my duty to report it." Gonzi also appealed to have faith in the institutions, naming the Public Accounts Committee, the Ombudsman, the Police, the Permanent Commission for Corruption, and the MEPA auditor. He also defended the appointment of chairmen to boards and commissions, saying that as PM he had affected many changes in personnel on these entities. "When I felt that time had come to intro- duce new blood, I took that decision, and I changed chairmen. And even if a shadow of doubt was cast on them, then I would have an even greater duty to remove them from their office, and start an investigation… everyone is accountable and must guarantee good governance." He defended his candidate and MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's presence at a Broadcast- ing Authority press conference for Opposi- tion leader Alfred Sant. "I expected Alfred Sant, after having fired those accusations, to face Jeffrey here at PBS, eye to eye… eye to eye. It's a question of integrity. Let's not hide behind the rules or the BA, let's be men. If someone is accus- ing the other, they could at least face him. Now that investigations are taking place, let's not influence the process. But if there is something irregular, they will have to bear the consequences." Gonzi also declared that outside develop- ment zones had to be steadfastly considered as outside development zones. "ODZ is ODZ," Gonzi said. "The real issue for our country is to find real solutions for our environment. And we have to find the solutions to move forward. We need strict rules to lay down the exception. To me, ODZ is ODZ." Asked whether he would revoke the ODZ permit issued for Charles Polidano's Lidl supermarket, described as "irregular" by MEPA auditor Joe Falzon, Gonzi said he had no power to revoke the permit. "That is why we want the law to be changed… the law was designed to limit the influence of politicians and let the experts decide. I will sit down with the MEPA audi- tor, experts and NGOs to find the best way to limit politicians' interference, so that we won't go back to the socialist government's scandals." Gonzi also dealt a good comeback to a question from azzjoninazzjonali.org, the website for far-rightists Azzjoni Nazzjonali, over accountability and the outstanding dues still to be paid by the political parties in VAT and national insurance. However, he failed to mention AN deputy leader Anglu Xuereb as the "politician and businessman" who should be "considered the same as those political parties with their outstanding dues," missing out on a chance to hit out at AN. *** On rent reform, Gonzi said he would consider both the injustice suffered by landlords due to the pre-1995 laws on protected tenants, but also to safeguard the interests of those who live in these houses. He said the process would be gradual, but eventually would remove the right to inherit rent-controlled proper- ties. He even claimed he did not publish the white paper on rent reform ahead of the election, because he didn't believe in "electoral gimmicks". The white paper has been ready since December 2007. Gonzi said the country's ambitious tar- get for a balance budget was now a goal that had to be attained through a stable government. He said foreign investment had poured in to Malta because of the stable economy that had been ushered in, and that would mean more jobs. He warned however that the rising price of oil, yesterday standing at $103 a barrel, and the rising price of cereals was "an impending storm". "And the rising price of oil means that since Sant first proposed to halve the energy surcharge, when the price of oil was half it is today, his proposal now will cost him millions more." Send your letters to: The Editor, MaltaToday, MediaToday Ltd. Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 | Fax: (356) 21 385075 E-mail: newsroom@mediatoday.com.mt. Letters to the Editor should be concise. No pen names are accepted. 'ODZ is ODZ' – Gonzi pledges to tighten laws Opinion Of being rich and poor In a recent study in the United States, it was revealed that the wealthiest 5% of households pos- sessed 54.1% of all assets in the country in 2013. Last year (2017), the same research exercise concluded that the ratios had changed: the wealthiest 5% of households had garnered 62.5% of all assets. This kind of study and others similar to it confirm the general perception and, worldwide, that the rich are get- ting richer and the poor, poorer. One dramatic comment was that "If poor people knew how rich, rich people are, there would be riots in the streets." This was a recent BBC article. The ratio naturally narrows as one goes down the levels. This brings me to the local context. This past week a fol- lower of the new party leader in Opposition commented in the sense that it is the people in the country who are in the Eur. 50,000+ income bracket, like himself, who determine which political party is elected to power locally. In a way, the comment has its validity. There exists a very strong and valid perception that the Nationalist party remained in power for many, many consecutive years because its core followers, a comparatively very small minority, were very well off in terms of riches and exercised the power to control the Nationalist party's policies making up its restricted inner circle. As traditionally proven, they are the conservative insid- ers who take the perks and social privileges and rule the country by proxy. This was evidently shown during the last five years with the Opposition denouncing and condemning anything done by the Labour party in govern- ment even that which is obvi- ously of benefit to society. Delia's new way has only meaning if put into the context of a change in persona but not policy. In another way, I believe that it is the great majority of the vot- ing population, the common cit- izen, the poorer, who determine which party should be in power or in Opposition. Of course, this is an opinion which does not necessarily find agreement among those who have lost their traditional privileges. Albert Borg Gzira PA's stables policy English-language schools, students and visas Further to the article 'A reform of an abuse-prone policy that turned stables into houses is being abandoned' published by MaltaToday (18 February, 2018) the Planning Authority states that it took direct action, rather than change the policy to deter abuse, and punish the abusers. A total of 34 enforcement orders were issued on stables in recent years, eight in 2014, 11 in 2015, eight in 2016 and a further seven in 2017. Furthermore since 2014, direct action was taken on nine different sites, where the approved stables were converted for residential or commercial use. The illegal change of use from approved stables was not identified by chance, but through a regime of site-monitoring conducted by the Compliance and En- forcement Directorate. All the permissions issued for stables are inspected as per standard practice to ensure compliance with the plans and conditions imposed in the permits issued. Peter Gingell Communications Manager The Planning Authority It has now become an open secret that there is a racket revolving around the issu- ance of visas to Third Country Nationals applying as English- language students to Malta. In many cases, once these "students" get their visas, they either never turn up for class or half-way through take a powder... the likelihood being another Schengen member. It seems that the filtering sys- tem is easy to con. Perhaps this could be made more difficult to achieve by the visa featur- ing the name of the English language school at which the applicant is supposed to have enrolled. Could the visa also stipulate that the first port, air or sea, of entry in a Schengen member be Malta? And that for the visa to be valid for entry into a second Schengen member, it must bear endorsement from the school authorities. Malta was once vaunted as the bridge between Africa and Europe. The indications now are that it has become a noto- rious stepping-stone from the Middle East and Asia to the Continent. Joseph Genovese Birkirkara Genuine Catholics cry for Malta Only good can come out of reading excerpts from the Bible and heeding the Church's recommendations on certain moral and ethical issues. Take this one: "Then all the nations of Israel being assembled... let every man go to his city." (Kings I 8:4-22). This historical event took place in Israel, but if you change the word "king" into "members of parliament" you might as well imagine that it is Malta. Rewind to many centuries back and look at the times of Jesus. "You make void the commandment of God by your tradition, which you have handed down; and many such like things you do." (Mark 7:13) The same applies. Mgr Charles Vella in a letter recently revealed that after Italy voted in favour of abortion, Pope John Paul II who was in hospital recovering from his gun wound cried like a child saying: "How is it possible after all we have been saying?" This could be transposed to Malta's situation after the divorce, vili- fication of religion and same-sex marriage laws were enacted. Just change the word "Pope" into the "local Church" and genuine practising Catholics. And yet, like a tender-loving mother that the Church is, it proposes two very noble prayers in the St Paul's shipwreck Mass. One, Help, Oh Lord, those who we elected to govern our coun- try, so that with their endeav- ours, they never lay aside the teachings which your Church wishes and teaches. Two, Grant us, O Lord, that we cherish as the best and most beautiful heritage the faith our forefathers handed us in order to pass it on unblemished to our children and grandchildren. Some concern and love! John Azzopardi Zabbar News – 5 March 2008