The fact that such an erudite lawyer as is Dr Kevin Aquilina ('Government's legalized rape of Malta's environment' - TMIS August 3) concluded, amongst other significant observations, that "the obtaining law and its environment protection provisions are being dismantled piece by piece to ensure that nothing is left in place so that the little environment protection measures that remain today on the statute book are removed completely so as not to hinder corrupt ministers in piggying" is indeed a matter of great concern to all law-abiding citizens.

Dr Aquilina was referring to the two bills (numbered 143 and 144) launched recently by government - without prior notice and no consultation with the Parliamentary Opposition; NGOs etc. - except, not surprisingly, with the Malta Development Association; the only organisation to have come out in full agreement as against the outcry against both bills from many NGOs; the Nationalist Party; the Chamber of Architects and others. Under such pressure, government made the correct decision of holding horses and has delayed consideration of these bills by Parliament until after a period of 'broad consultation', now said to be of approximately four weeks.

Whether or not such consultations bear fruit remains to be seen. The NGOs deserve our full support and one cannot but wish them well in their fight to preserve what is left of our environment and to stand in the way of introducing measures that will only lead to giving the Planning Authority and government ministers such additional wide powers that are bound to increase the already high level of corruption in Malta and Gozo, quite apart from the further encroachment by greedy property developers on our open spaces and ODZ land.

Anthony R. Curmi

St Julian's