Several NGOs have condemned the threat received by the Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Michael Briguglio regarding the Armier boathouses.

The Ramblers’ Association of Malta, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth (Malta) and Nature Trust (Malta) have all expressed concern at the news adding that they are against all abusive takeovers of public land. They condemned the “disgraceful inaction of successive governments in the face of such shameless abuse by a few hundreds”.

The situation has now escalated to a deplorable extent while some interested individuals are doing their utmost to convince the public that the situation is out of control and cannot be remedied, a statement from Ramblers read.

The statement condemned those who have illegally built on public land adding that it is unacceptable. It concluded that no political party should allow itself to be held to ransom by any pressure groups as this undermines good governance.

Yesterday, Armier Developments Ltd. also condemned the threat.

Representing the Central Committee of Boathouses, it has not only condemned the act and all acts of violence, but has also expressed solidarity with Dr Briguglio. Armier Developments has declared that it will continue to cooperate with all authorities as it has for the past 35 years and has urged everyone to cooperate with the police in order to catch whoever sent the threat.

In a press statement, AD Chairperson Michael Briguglio held that he received a written threat over the Armier issue and this was reported to the Police. The AD Chairperson expressed his gratitude for the cooperation of the Police and while not intimidated by personal threats towards his family he will inform the Police if such a threat occurs.

Donations to political parties should be made public

Financing of political parties has to be controlled by means of a law, claimed AD this morning in a press conference in Valletta.

This is to ensure that the financing both PN and PL are getting from private speculators will not go back with interest when either is in government. Thus AD feels that both political parties should make public the names of all those giving donations of over €5,000 and donations of over €40,000 should become illegal while the threshold for spending of individual candidates should go up from €1,600 to €4,000.

“AD will work to ensure that Freedom of Information, Data Protection and whistleblower rights are defined appropriately and entrenched in the Constitution” said AD International Secretary Arnold Cassola.

AD feels that it is quite startling that the PN has not mentioned the Whistleblower Act in its electoral programme, since this may lead to unresolved briberies within the Government. Moreover public funds still fall upon the discretionary powers of the Auditor General.

AD claimed that the prescription period of acts of corruption should also be lengthened so as to allow the state to recover some of the money taken illegally.

AD Deputy Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo spoke about the lists of names of patients in hospitals and residents in Old People’s Homes that are being given out to political parties. Although the Commissioner for Data Protection advised against these lists being given out before the last week before elections, the Electoral Commission has gone against this recommendation.

Transparency in all sectors of the Government and private sectors is of the utmost importance to AD. Private sectors are obliged to inform the public about their operations, this within the context of Corporate Social Responsibility. However, so far in Malta only two companies do so; Bank of Valletta and Vodafone, said AD Deputy Chairperson.

AD insists in its Electoral Programme that it is essential that all companies listed in the Stock Exchange as well as Parastatal Corporations and the private sector are to report on the environmental effect they have and if this can be verified.

In a seperate press statement, AD Chairperson Michael Briguglio held that he received a written threat over the Armier issue and this was reported to the Police. The AD Chairperson expressed his gratitude for the cooperation of the Police and while not intimidated by personal threats towards his family he will inform the Police if such a threat occurs.