Rebekah Borg

The Honourable
Rebekah Borg
MP

Rebekah Borg (born 25 September 1987) is a Maltese Politician and Engineer, currently serving as the Shadow Minister for the Environment.[1] She previously served as the Shadow Minister for Lands and Consumer Rights. She also serves as a Member of Parliament in the Parliament of Malta.[2][3]

Education

Rebekah Borg attained a first-class degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Sheffield. She then pursued a Master of Science (MSc) in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oxford, where she was awarded the Medtronic Scholarship for demonstrating exceptional talent and promise in the field of Biomedical Engineering.[4]

After returning to Malta, Rebekah Borg worked as a Biomedical Engineer, while also studying for a postgraduate diploma in Building Services Engineering. Subsequently, she obtained a Diploma in Journalism, graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Malta, and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Advocacy.

Career

Rebekah Borg began her career in the public sector as a Biomedical Engineer, specialising in oncology equipment. She went on to work as the Technical Director of a local firm dealing in HVAC projects and equipment. Rebekah Borg also worked part-time for a local newspaper as a journalist. Rebekah Borg now works as a self-employed engineer in the building services industry.[5]

Politics

During her time in politics she has established herself as a proactive and vocal politician, known for her staunch defence of public spaces and the environment. She played a key role in supporting the residents of Mġarr in their opposition to a proposed large solar farm, resulting in the proposal's eventual withdrawal.

Borg has consistently advocated for the public land to be accessible to everyone and to make the best possible use of the little public land Malta has, emphasising the need for stringent enforcement in its management. Her efforts were notable during incidents such as the Blue Lagoon deckchairs and encroachment saga, and in cases where the government was obscuring information about agreements with deckchair and sunbed operators in Malta, Gozo, and Comino.[6] She has also been vocal against developments like the Gżira petrol station and proposed marina and lido in Sliema.

In April 2023, Borg launched a parliamentary petition addressing the closure of Mtarfa’s government-owned primary school, urging the government to swiftly reinstate a primary school in Mtarfa by considering all possible solutions.[7]

She supported the Jean Paul Sofia public inquiry, raising questions about technical issues and fragmented responsibilities on construction sites, along with concerns over transparency within the Lands Authority.[8]

A strong proponent of an aesthetics policy, Borg has advocated for a comprehensive legal overhaul in the construction industry, favouring a holistic approach over piecemeal amendments to ensure a more cohesive legal framework.

Borg was particularly outspoken about the American University of Malta (AUM) land issue, calling for an investigation into the government's agreement for the AUM development.[9]

In her role as Shadow Minister for Consumer Rights, she took a firm stance against the alleged mileage tampering scandal, insisting on adequate compensation for affected motorists. She also prompted the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) to investigate a car hire company for potential breaches of consumer protection rights related to the use of GPS tracking devices in vehicles.[10]

Borg's active participation in the Parliament of Malta is reflected in the high number of parliamentary questions she has posed. This led to an incident involving Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo, who, irritated by Borg asking him a supplementary parliamentary question, was inadvertently caught on an open microphone saying he “can’t stand” Rebekah Borg.[11] Rebekah questioned the appropriateness of such language used by a government minister in Parliament. Following this snide comment made in Malta's highest political house, she "accepted and appreciated" his personal apology. She expressed her hope that such personal comments would not be made against any Member of Parliament.

Introduction to Politics

Rebekah Borg’s introduction to politics came during her work as a journalist, where she interviewed several politicians and investigated a number of breaking stories.

In December 2020 she was approved as a general election candidate for the Nationalist Party on the 7th and 11th districts.[12]

Rebekah Borg contested the 2022 Maltese general election for the first time, obtaining 2078 votes from the 7th district and 1756 votes from the 11th district.[13] Rebekah Borg was elected to parliament through a casual election after Adrian Delia vacated his seat on the 7th district.[14] Borg was given the role of spokesperson responsible for Lands and Consumer rights and a member on the Lands Board representing the Opposition.

Rebekah Borg held the position of Vice-President of the Forum Opportunitajiet Indaqs Partit Nazzjonalista (FOIPN), as well as representing the same forum on the Executive of the Nationalist Party.[15]

Personal life

Rebekah Borg married her husband Jurgen on the 17th of September 2022. Together, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth, on the 18th of July 2023.[16]

References

  1. ^ Newsroom, T. V. M. (2024-01-13). "Opposition Leader reshuffles his Shadow Cabinet". TVMnews.mt. Retrieved 2024-01-13. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ Newsroom, T. V. M. (19 April 2022). "PN leader appoints shadow cabinet". TVM.mt. Retrieved 2022-05-02. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ "cilia-rebekah". Parliament of Malta. 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  4. ^ "Medtronic Lecture 2009 | University of Oxford Podcasts - Audio and Video Lectures". podcasts.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  5. ^ "MAKING A DIFFERENCE". issuu. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  6. ^ "Tourism Minister refuses to publish details about beach deckchair deals - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  7. ^ "Petition calls for Mtarfa to get a primary school". Times of Malta. 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  8. ^ "PN MP concerned about lack of transparency at Lands Authority - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  9. ^ "PN asks Auditor General to investigate AUM land contracts". Times of Malta. 2023-02-06. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  10. ^ "Consumer authority asked to probe Christian Borg firm over car hire contracts". Times of Malta. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  11. ^ "'I detest her with a passion': Tourism Minister apologises for hot mic blunder". Times of Malta. 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  12. ^ "PN approves 70 election candidates". Times of Malta. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  13. ^ "Electoral Commission of Malta". electoral.gov.mt. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  14. ^ Newsroom, T. V. M. (12 April 2022). "Rebekah Cilia elected through casual election". TVM.mt. Retrieved 2022-05-02. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  15. ^ "Maħtura l-karigi fil-Kumitat tal-FOIPN". NETnews (in Maltese). 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  16. ^ Farrugia, Amy Falzon (2023-07-18). "PN MP Rebekah Borg Welcomes Baby Elizabeth Hazel To The World". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 2024-02-01.