FKNK lodge protest with government after two councillors express opinion on referendum

The CEO of hunting federation FKNK took umbrage at comments by two Attard councillors on Facebook expressing themselves in favour of banning spring hunting.

In an email sent to parliamentary secretary for economy Jose Herrera, the Department of Local Government, the Local Councils Association and the Attard local council, FKNK CEO Lino Farrugia said the federation had “to lodge a strong protest” over the Facebook comments.

“We are aware that any person in his personal capacity can have and voice his opinion with regards the upcoming 11 April referendum, however, we believe that the Attard Local Council Vice-Mayor, Marco Spiteri, and Councillor, Ralph Cassar, have acted unethically, if not also illegally, when they posted/commented with regards the referendum on the Attard Council official Facebook Page,” Farrugia protested.

The councillors in question, AD councillor Ralph Cassar and PN deputy mayor Marco Spiteri, wrote that they would be voting to abolish a law allowing spring hunting to take place. “I will vote according to my conscience, in favour of life and sustainable environment and in favour for everyone to enjoy birds and the countryside,” Spiteri said.

Echoing Spiteri’s comments, Cassar said he wished to inform the Attard residents that he would be voting ‘No’ in the referendum.

The comments however did not go down well with the FKNK who lodged a protest with the government entities.

In a reaction, Alternattiva Demokratika said FKNK was trying “to shut people up” and reporting them to Cabinet members.

“The FKNK wrote to the parliamentary secretary to censure the councillors who declared they would vote ‘No’. FKNK have continued with their anti-democratic stands. Some weeks ago they attempted to convince Parliament through a petition to remove the right of an abrogative referendum,” AD chairman Arnold Cassola said.

“This anti-democratic behaviour is an additional reason to vote ‘NO’ against the FKNK that despises democracy and freedom of expression.”