People • 20 July 2003

One never puts a toilet in one’s living room

Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando is not a politician always in the news, but when he makes an appearance he tends to take centre stage, Julian Manduca caught up with him shortly after he took his strong stand against planned waste landfills not far from Malta’s temples

Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando is an unassuming but charming man, and it is not difficult to see why he has been elected to parliament three times at a relatively young age. His grandfather was the Secretary General of the MLP for a few years, but Mintoff’s years between 1971 and 1986 set the young Jeffrey against the Labour party. It was dissatisfaction with the MLP at the time, its educational policies and Mintoff’s totalitarianism, that made Pullicino Orlando believe Malta had become a third world country. That was something he could not accept.

Pullicino Orlando did not go into politics because of any strong ideological convictions, but admits to have been, and remains strongly influenced, by Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami.

In the past Pullicino Orlando had thrown his weight against plans for a cement-making factory that was refused planning permission, and now he intends launching a campaign to oppose plans for waste landfills near Hagar Qim and Mnajdra.

Pullicino Orlando was not impressed at all by minister Ninu Zammit’s sudden announcement that, while Malta had plans for one landfill, two more are now being suggested on the doorstep of Malta’s historical jewels. The area also happens to fall in Pullicino Orlando’s electoral district so he has an added incentive.

It is not often that MPs criticise their side openly, but Pullicino Orlando believes that in the Nationalist Party such affrontary is possible.

"If I was part of the MLP I am sure my head would have been cut off a long time ago. Recently I had decided not to contest the elections, but I was given encouragement to by the Prime Minister and the General Secretary, and I was persuaded notwithstanding the fact that I have a tendency to be outspoken.

"The PN has a strong leadership, not so the MLP. Within the Labour party any form of dissent is perceived as rebellion.

"When I took strong stands against government positions, I believe people realised that my intentions were genuine."

Pullicino Orlando is gaining a name for himself as one who has put the environment at the top of the agenda and he would like to see more effort on all areas affecting the environment.

"Waste control and transport should be tackled with urgency. I have been suggesting for many years the idea of land reclamation as a partial solution to the Maghtab problem. This could be a good solution provided the right studies are conducted.

"It is difficult to understand why the decision to dump construction and demolition waste in quarries instead of at Maghtab was so long in coming. Land reclamation could have been done years ago and I mentioned this in Parliament early on.

"Again, construction and demolition waste – including what was excavated at the hospital – could have been stored for recycling. The cost of an old building stone can be as much as Lm1, yet often old stones are thrown away. I would also like to see the authorities including energy saving measures as conditions for planning permits.

"As regards transport, way back in 1996, in one of my first parliamentary speeches I had brought up the idea of an underground transport system, but it was never followed through.

"I am also very upset that nothing was done to protect certain bays from the raw sewage that is pumped into the sea. Surely over these years something could have been done to extend the outflow pipes and not have them so close to popular swimming areas, I am thinking especially of the south of Malta and Gozo. I have often tried to bring up these issues in parliament."

The PN MP is not looking for a shooting star career in politics, although he does not exclude accepting a post in the future.

One position was offered to him – as Parliamentary Secretary within the Finance Ministry – and Pullicino Orlando explains his reasons for refusal.

"At the present time I decided against accepting because of my family commitments. I was going to accept the post, but did not want to do what many others do when they accept a post and continue to exercise their profession, but hide the fact. I decided to be honest with the Prime Minister and told him I would accept if I could continue practising as a dentist working lesser hours.

"That was an unacceptable proposition for the Prime Minister, and both him and Lawrence Gonzi appreciated my honesty. It would not have been possible for me to support my family with the salary of a parliamentary secretary and I do not want to do things behind people’s backs.

"In the coming years I hope to organise my private and professional life in such way as to be able to offer my services should a post be offered."

The Zebbug dentist is critical of his party, but has maybe even stronger words for the party in opposition: "The MLP, unfortunately, is no real opposition and the reason is that at present there is no leadership.

"I recognise the positive efforts of the Labour delegates, and know that when Anglu Farrugia and John Attard Montalto decided to contest they made the right choice. I have much respect for both Farrugia and Attard Montalto, but I believe the delegates were wise to choose Sant hopefully to see the back of him shortly, rather than choose one of the other contenders who were not perhaps the best choice.

"Although we have seen some positive changes in the MLP but, if there is no change in the leadership, I do not see the possibility of a third party growing in Malta for example and we will not face a strong opposition.

"The time of ideological differences between MLP and PN are over, it is all shades of grey and speaking with MLP MPs, ideologically there are no differences, that is why we would welcome competent and strong Labour politicians. Often PN politicians raise more social issues than the MLP ones. Admittedly not enough is being done my government in many areas including the environment, but another area that needs to be tackled is improving government secondary schools."

Pullicino Orlando’s latest crusade promises to be a big one. He has taken on his government and resources minister Ninu Zammit in their desire to have waste landfills in Qrendi and Siggiewi, not far from the neolithic temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra.

Pullicino Orlando is optimistic: "I am convinced that my party will come to its senses and that the authorities will take the right decision and reject the sites identified by the minister. After all, no proper studies have been conducted on alternative sites, and the impact on tourism has not been measured."

His opinion of the minister’s decision is somewhat lavatorial: "Normally in a house we keep our waste in one place of the home. Now we seem to be spreading our ‘toilet’ around. The area that includes Mnajdra and Hagar Qim is Malta’s ‘living room’ and we it would make sense to avoid putting a ‘toilet’ in our living room."

"In my humble opinion, the minister could have informed the parliamentary group about his decision. I don’t think there is anything better than consultation. We have to find an alternative to the sites and all interest groups should be brought together to discuss the issue.

"Of course this would be best done when the studies on possible sites are completed and made public. It is almost impossible to believe there is no better alternative to putting waste dump sites next to our ancestors’ temples and the jewels of Malta."

"I have not seen any studies and know that many people oppose the sites and are worried about the decision. Many people have shown support for my stand. Even when I made parliamentary questions, I have not had a satisfactory answer. Minister Zammit only said that the studies will be conducted by MEPA."

Zebbug’s dentist is not one for putting on patronising airs, unlike several of his colleagues. Pullicino Orlando is a straight talking, down to earth man who told me he had no clear idea why so many people have voted for him. He does not pretend to be academic, or superior, and it may be this that makes him so likeable.