It is so alarming that, after the travesty of a decision taken by the Planning Authority, there is absolute and complete silence coming from the Opposition.

Why is this? Is it because the Gasans and (Tumas) Fenechs are playing friends to both parties, insuring themselves for future plans and proposals?

Is it because the Nationalist Party has had enough of riding the environmental wave?

Or is it just plain incompetence when it comes to the PN’s communication strategy and leadership? In any case, it is Malta’s democracy that is suffering as the Prime Minister and his Cabinet are getting away with murder (of Malta’s landscape and environment). Consequently, Maltese citizens have no choice but to resort to venting their anger on the social media... but, hey, that’s about it.

Come 2018, it seems the Labour Party will have no real challenge to win the election and, so, the destruction of the environment and shady deals with Jordanian and Chinese companies, not to mention the Panama Papers scandal, will continue.

The social media is powerful. We’ve seen its power in action during the Arab Uprising, Barack Obama’s 2008 election campaign and, more recently, the ALS ice bucket challenge.

But Muscat’s nine-seat majority is equally strong and citizens online need to organise themselves well to make some noise, enough to be heard in Parliament.