Joe Demicoli revives "Chop Chop Kemmuna" after Comino tree felling is approved

Joe Demicoli, who co-released Kemmuna Airways in the late 1990s, has uploaded an updated version of the hit parody song following the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA)'s approval of plans to cut down hundreds of trees on Comino.

Demicoli released Chop Chop Kemmuna via YouTube, a few days after the ERA voted in favour of granting a removal permit for around 800 trees.

"Wow, we're going to Comino, the trees go chop chop, we play with the bulldozer, our hands are dirty," the song's chorus says.

The song, released on Monday, criticises those who should be a voice in favour of the environment, saying: "Judas is happy, and Christ has been betrayed."

The original Kemmuna Airways tells the story of two men excitedly heading to Comino, expecting pristine beaches and coconut palms.

But, as their flight to the island draws to an end, their hopes turn sour when they catch the stench from the island's pig farm. Just like the 1998 version, the spoof song, which uses the music of Vengaboys' We're Going to Ibiza, also refers to pigs.

"There is no profit from trees unlike cement, chop chop Comino - 'what fun', the pigs said," the new version's lyrics say.

On Friday, the ERA's board was almost unanimous in its decision, with the NGO representative being the only member to oppose it.

During Friday's hearing, NGOs opposing the permit said the ERA should hold off on deciding on the removal of 800 trees because the development linked to their removal - 16 bungalows, 44 swimming pools and a 71-room hotel (PA/04777/20) by Hili Ventures - has itself not been given the final go-ahead.

That permit, which Moviment Graffitti said involves an intensive construction project on a highly protected nature reserve, is currently the subject of a legal challenge by several NGOs.

Demicoli released Kemmuna Airways together with Augusto Cardinali as part of an album with 12 other parody songs.