Independent MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said today that he will today be presenting to Parliament a petition against the privatisation of car parks in Rabat. The petition has been signed by 2,375 constituents. Dr Pullicino Orlando said the petition has the unanimous backing of the Rabat, Dingli and Mtarfa local councils.

"The Transport Malta plan to privatise car parks all over the country has been widely criticised. I am pleased to note that plans have been suspended by government, pending a parliamentary debate, following widespread opposition to a process that has been justifiably described as 'at best defective and at worst bizarre', he said. (Dr Pullicino Orlando was quoting an editorial on The Times.)

The Speaker, Michael Frendo, is due to rule today on an Opposition motion for its motion about the privatisation plans to be debated with urgency. The government argues that there is no urgency once the plans have been suspended until the issue is debated in the House.

Dr Pullicino Orlando and Franco Debono are backing the urgency request.

MP Franco Debono had said he would move an amendment to the Opposition's motion, turning it into a vote of no confidence in Transport Minister Austin Gatt. He subsequently presented his own motion of no confidence in the minister and is also requesting urgent debate.