Activists of Moviment Graffitti wearing pig masks interrupted a public discussion meeting with minister Konrad Mizzi this evening by raising placards to protest over the way the ITS site in St George's Bay is being transferred to the db Group for redevelopment.
The discussion meeting was part of a series being held by various government ministries to highlight their achievements after the government's fourth year.
Some of the placards read Titħanżru minn fuq dahar il-poplu.
Some of those in the audience booed or chanted Konrad, Konrad in support of the minister. The demonstrators were escorted out by a number of security officials amid a barrage of comments from those present.
In his reaction Minister Konrad Mizzi, who was addressing the event together with Transport Minister Joe Mizzi and Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes took a dig at them saying they were nothing more than a "publicity stunt" although he said they had a right to protest.
Moviment Graffitti described the deal with the db Group as shameful, saying it was land grab by big business.
"Public land currently used for educational purposes, with an estimated value of €212 million, was given to the db Group for the risible price of €15 million, for private development. Just imagine the sky-high profits the db Group will be harvesting from land that was once property of all Maltese citizens," the movement said.
It observed that the government will spend at least €75 million to relocate the Institute of Tourism Studies to SmartCity.
"Not only was public land given for a pittance to a private company, but the Maltese people will also end up paying in order for (developer) Silvio Debono to make his chunky profits.
"The €15 million will be paid over an eight-year period with a zero-interest rate. It seems that such interest-free “loans” are only available to the super-rich. Most Maltese people have to pay, throughout the larger part of their lifetime, interest-laden loans just to be able to have a roof over their head," the movement added.
"Hundreds of luxury apartments will be built and sold by DB group on what once was public land, whilst thousands of Maltese are struggling to pay their rent and their bank loans."