Outspoken Labour MP Marlene Farrugia is stepping up her campaign in defence of outside development zones, saying that the Labour movement which had spoken so much against development in Hondoq, Chambray and Ta’ Cenc are now the same people behind the building of a university in Zonqor and of a terminal and luxury complex in Qala.
Writing on Facebook, Dr Farrugia made an obvious reference to what Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Friday – “What’s the fuss about (the Qala project)?” – saying that some quarries should never have been given permits in the first place, let alone permits to extend and grow and grow.
“What is the fuss about indeed?... All quarries are in OdZ.
“Some quarries should never have been given permits in the first place, let alone permits to extend and grow and grow...
“Does rehabilitating quarries justify more and more development in ODZ areas?
“Is this the new way of rehabilitating quarries?
“Will this be 'THE 'precedent?
“Yacht marina and cruise terminal are in electoral manifesto.
“A massive development is not.
“We are the same people who spoke against Hondoq, Chambray and ta'Cenc development.
“What is happening to the Labour Government?”
She dedicated another post to “all Maltese and Gozitans who love their country”. She told them to be courageous and insist that Malta continues to belong to all of us – a reference to Labour’s pre-election slogan Malta Taghna Lkoll. Malta should not be taken over by a group of people “who decide before the Cabinet and the parliamentary group what happens and to whom our land is sold”.
“Do not worry about being insulted. There are people who are being paid to do so and who are trying to undermine those who put Malta first and foremost. Keep on speaking up. Righteousness always wins,” she concluded, this time using a slogan dear to the Nationalist Party: “Is-sewwa jirbah zgur”.
In another post, she said that Malta is receiving good news about its economic development, but we are at a point where we must choose which direction to take.
“Do we want sustainable economic growth that safeguards the country’s beauty?
“Are we going to accept investments that generate wealth but which deny us and our children of the natural beauty of Malta and Gozo?
“Will we have the courage to decide what kind of investment is acceptable for today’s reality? Or will be retain the mentality that everything goes, even when we know that we will be conceding our priceless natural heritage once and for all?
“And the answer is clear. Yes for investment but no to the destruction of the natural character of Malta and Gozo.
“Zonqor should not be suffocated. Fields must continue to bear fruit. Agriculture is sacrosanct. There are alternative sites for the American university and so this should not be built on virgin land.
“We do not want any government to offer agricultural and coastal land to foreigners in our name but behind our backs.
“We should be the ones to tell foreigners what investment is suitable for us.
“Maltese and Gozitans will remain rich when they can enjoy their country’s identity, character and beauty. Nothing is dearer than physical and mental health. Our natural beauty is priceless for our wellbeing. The people’s wealth should not be sold for the benefit of the few.
“Let us all join in one voice to defend what is in danger of being stolen from us... Now is the time... Malta must continue to remain ours.”
In yet another post this morning, Dr Farrugia has written to the Archbishop, saying she has confidence in him as he has shown several times that he does not stay away from taking a stand.
She requested that the Archbishop promises that no requests are made by the Church for buildings in outside development zones. She said that the Church's withdrawal of existing applications for schools in ODZ area would do a world of good for the Church and for Malta.
In her open letter, she said that she has made a similar request to the Opposition Leader (reported in The Malta Independent exclusively yesterday) for the PN to give a guarantee that a future Nationalist government would not use ODZ land for future projects. She said that she is expecting an answer from both.