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I refer to the report by Julian Manduca entitled ‘Action on illegal mosque stopped after minister Pullicino cautioned about religious sentiments’ published in the MaltaToday of March 20, 2005.
It is pertinent to remark on two points which did not feature in the report and which formed part of the minister’s reply to questions placed by your journalist. The inclusion of these points would have rendered a fairer picture of the whole matter.
Firstly, the report gave the impression that Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino took the initiative to advise the former Director of Planning Stephen Farrugia, to tread carefully on the matter. The fact is that the ex-Director asked to speak to the Minister to inform him that he felt this particular case was sensitive and went beyond simple administrative procedure due to its moral implications.
The Minister agreed with the director’s opinion that the case was linked to a place of worship and involved fundamental human rights issues. In such circumstances, it was prudent that the Authority act with caution in its procedures. The minister expressed his opinion to the former Director of Planning that the individuals involved needed to be diplomatically convinced to adhere to the law and planning regulations, but ultimately the final decision rested on the Authority.
Secondly, it is relevant to point out that it was Minister George Pullicino who made the necessary amendments to the law in 2002 to set up the office of an Audit Officer at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA). By way of these amendments the Audit Officer was not only given the power to investigate any claims made by the general public but also has the authority to initiate any investigation he may deem fit on issues that may be of importance to the MEPA’s operation.
Emanuel Abela
Director of Information
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