PRESS RELEASE
Il-Malta Development Association tesprimi t-thassib taghha ghal emenda Kostituzzjonali mressqa mill-Opposizzjoni.
L-ewwel nett, minn Partit Nazzjonalista li dejjem jikkritika lil Gvern dwar nuqqas ta’ konsultazzjoni, konna nistennew li jkun hemm process ta’ konsultazzjoni ma’ dawk kollha interessati. Dan in-nuqqas jimmina il-kontenut u l-process li bih l-Opposizzjoni harget b’ din l-emenda.
Dan huwa aktar il-kaz meta wiehed jigi biex jemenda l-Kostituzzjoni, li mhix intenzjonata bhala ligi li tinbidel bl-addocc, izda bhala qafas ta’ gwida ghal zmien fit-tul. Bil-mod ta’ kif tressqet l-emenda, l-MDA tithasseb li l-Opposizzjoni trid li l-ippjanar ma jibqax parti mill-mandat tal-Awtorita’ tal-Ippjanar, ikun taht liema Gvern ikun, izda ssir materja ta’ Qrati.
Dan izid il-burokrazija u incertezza filwaqt li jaqta qalb kemm l-investitur kif ukoll il-familji li se jibdew jiffaccjaw spejjez kbar u mhux mistennija ta’ Qrati jekk jigu anki biex jaghmlu progetti zghar.
L-effett dirett ta’ dak li qed tipproponi l-Opposizzjoni hija zjieda akbar fil-prezz tal-propjeta artficijalment li ser izzied il-pies fuq iz-zghazagh. Ghalhekk, l-MDA theggeg lill-Opposizzjoni biex timxi mall-kritika taghha stess tal-Gvern, tirtira dan l-abbozz, taghmel studju tal-impatt tieghu u timbarka fuq process ta’ konsultazzjoni wiesgha.
PRESS RELEASE
The Malta Development Association (MDA) expresses its concern regarding the Constitutional amendment put forward by the Opposition.
First of all, from a Nationalist Party that regularly criticizes the Government for a lack of consultation, one would have expected a process of consultation with all interested parties. This absence undermines both the content and the process through which the Opposition presented this amendment.
This is even more relevant when it comes to amending the Constitution, which is not intended to be changed arbitrarily like ordinary legislation, but rather serves as a long-term framework of guidance.
Through the way this amendment has been presented, the MDA is concerned that the Opposition wishes for planning to no longer form part of the mandate of the Planning Authority—regardless of which Government is in office—but instead to become a matter for the Courts. This would increase bureaucracy and uncertainty, while discouraging both investors and families, who would face large and unexpected court expenses even for small-scale projects.
The direct effect of what the Opposition is proposing would be a further artificial increase in property prices, adding even more pressure on young people.
For these reasons, the MDA urges the Opposition to follow through on its own criticism of the Government: withdraw this proposal, carry out an impact assessment, and embark on a broad consultation process.