'Freedom of expression': ex minister justifies carcading truck ridiculing NGOs

Alicia Bugeja Said has attributed a PL celebration trailer featuring a banner promoting her while sporting a rubbish bin ridiculing BirdLife Malta and the Malta Ranger Unit to freedom of expression.

The bin, which could be seen attached to the back of a carcading truck also featured a sticker reading “PN”.

The former minister for animal rights told Times of Malta she was not familiar with the vehicle but added that carcades were “a moment where everyone is free to express their thoughts”.

“I think that yesterday's celebrations were spontaneous and were not meant to offend anyone”, she said.

“Thousands of people celebrated Labour's victory on Sunday and Monday, and the country will be back to normal by tomorrow.”

She speculated that the rubbish bin had “probably” been fixed to the truck by hunters.

MRU monitors and reports on environmental crimes such as illegal hunting and waste dumping, while BirdLife is dedicated to protecting wild birds and their habitats. Both organisations have been involved in disputes with members of the hunting and trapping community, often over allegations of environmental crimes.

'Rangers invade private property'

Bugeja Said said she had “no issue with BirdLife or the rangers” and was "all in favour of NGOs who use legitimate points to condemn violations of animal welfare", and also voiced her support for hunters carrying out legitimate activities.

She claimed she had “seen instances of rangers invading private property”, without providing further details, while emphasising “the need to respect each other”.

The trailer was first spotted by readers as it hit the road for a carcade on Sunday night, filled with PL supporters celebrating the party’s historic fourth consecutive electoral victory.

It was caught on camera again on Monday while passing the War Memorial roundabout in Floriana.

Banners promoting Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said, who was elected in the 12th District, could be seen on the sides of the vehicle.

'Very disrespectful'

Reacting to Bugeja Said's comments, the MRU said it was “very disrespectful that an elected minister would make a statement that the rangers have been invading private property”.

“Our unit has, from the start, made it very clear that we under no circumstances enter private land. We have had cases where there have been injured animals on private land, yet we have not entered but have awaited authorities to arrive," a spokesperson said.

She stressed that all the rangers’ documentation was taken from records of public land, in line with the law, and that the MRU regularly consulted with a lawyer engaged by the NGO to ensure it adhered to legislation.

“We also find it very problematic that ministers who have rarely spoken up about illegalities on land or sea have made a statement based on hearsay,” she said.

“This will not only harm the work we are doing and the reputation of our rangers, but it will also increase impunity among the perpetrators of environmental crimes.”

The spokesperson added that politicians, “although not responsible for the actions of their supporters, do have a responsibility to be a role model. They should be careful that their statements are based on facts, not hearsay.”