Corruption in governments and public offices is tolerated because of low-level individuals who are corrupt themselves. The top allow the laymen to be corrupt, so that the laymen tolerate corruption at the top. Such is the case if you go around Malta’s coast and see how many are enjoying summer residences by illegal means. And that’s quite normal, isn’t it, outside Beijing and Baku… – no, it’s not. But in the country of shenanigans, it is.
Such is the case of Naser Alshalsh, who has been breaking the law for at least 13 years, and who, over the years, has turned a room that was used as a boathouse into a villa located in a Natura2000 area in Armier. Apart from that, he also took part of public land, cleared what was previously a piece of heather land, leveled it, surrounded it with a fence and created a parapet to complement the property. Alshalsh is known for the illegalities committed with the Planning Authority, so much so that the oldest enforcement notification goes back to 2011, when he was accused of building a structure built with bricks without a permit and which until then was still unroofed. Eventually, it was withdrawn about a year later. But despite all these developments and legalities, so far, no direct action has been taken against the owner. The case raises several questions, including how the owner could do all this over a period of ten years without effective repercussions, despite the fact that the villa is located near a historical site and on the road, where everyone can notice what is going on. And this is quite normal, isn’t it, outside Beijing and Baku… – no, it’s not. But in the country of shenanigans, it is.
Then we have the case of yet another boathouse which was illegally built at Ġnejna bay which the authorities have demolished a year after it was reported by the Malta Ranger Unit. How selfish people can grab a piece of public land and build a boathouse because they feel entitled to do so, so they can have a summer residence for themselves is beyond me. What about the other thousands of boathouses that were built illegally? According to MRU, since they were not caught red-handed, their abolishment is difficult. And this is quite normal, isn’t it, outside Beijing and Baku… – no, it’s not. But in the country of shenanigans, it is.
Then we get the caravans, a topic on its own. While you turn yourself into a cabana boy, heading to the sea with a few lawn chairs, an umbrella, a cooler, and some towels, you have to sweat until you find some space for you along the coast. They have a right, they say. Caravans are again being spotted on the Coast Road, in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, and even on Ġnejna’s sandy beach because current regulations allow caravans under specific Mġarr council bye-laws. Set up bye-laws to allow illegalities, but sell them as ‘they have a right’ or else the authorities lose votes. And this is quite normal, isn’t it, outside Beijing and Baku… – no, it’s not. But in the country of shenanigans, it is.
Then we get the Popeye village that was built in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, and while you turn yourself into a cabana boy, heading to the sea with a few lawn chairs, an umbrella, a cooler, and some towels, you have to turn around because there is no space for your car, let alone for you in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. While driving out, you might as well buy a takeout from a kiosk [no, not the ice-cream one that has been there for years, but a fast food one] which has also taken up public space with some tables and some chairs.
And this is quite normal, isn’t it, outside Beijing and Baku… – no, it’s not. But in the country of shenanigans, it is.
