Simon Saliba has been removed from his position as Planning Commission chairperson dealing with applications within the development zone.

Last July, 11 NGOs called for the removal of Simon Saliba from his position as Planning Commission chairperson due to his “arrogant attitude and out-dated mindset” which, they said, was obstructing the right to a fair planning process.

“Mr Simon Saliba has consistently shown disrespect to residents and other objectors during sittings held at the Planning Authority and has often openly and aggressively sided with the developers instead of fulfilling his role as an impartial arbitrator,” the NGOs had said in a press release last July.

Among other things, the NGOs had said that Saliba cut off the microphone of an activist, Karen Tanti who was finishing an intervention against the building of apartments on a site of archaeological importance in Kalkara, effectively censoring her contribution.

Saliba has been replaced as chairman by architect Claude Mallia.

Saliba has now been made a supplementary member on the regularisation board.