Malta News Roundup

from CorporateDispatch PRO - Edition 15

by The Dispatch Media

While we have left the EU, we haven’t left Europe - British High Commissioner Cathy Ward

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DENISE GRECH

Malta News

ROUNDUP

Inland Revenue Commissioner Marvin Gaerty was called in for questioning by the police as part of an investigation into trading of influence. The probe was triggered by a 2014 message exchange between the Commissioner and businessman Yorgen Fenech.

Malta imposed a travel ban to and from the UK following a discovery of a new strain of the Covid-19 virus in Britain. Citizens will be repatriated, and incoming persons will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

The government is giving the commercial sector €2.4 million in refunds for utility bills over Christmas. A total €6 million fund has been created for the purpose and will be disbursed to businesses in a series of rounds.

The chairman of the Book Council, Mark Camilleri, resisted calls by the Education Ministry to step down following an angry message exchange with a lawyer representing businessman Yorgen Fenech. Minister Justyne Caruana later withdrew the request for his resignation.

Junior Minister Rosianne Cutajar is alleged to have taken a €46,000 cut on a property deal involving Yorgen Fenech in 2019 which eventually fell through. The Parliamentary Secretary for Reform denies wrongdoing but stopped short of dismissing the claims.

Residents in Sliema and St Julian’s took part in a demonstration opposing large property developments in the areas. The manifestation was organised by NGOs Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar and Moviment Graffitti but had the backing of the local councils in both towns.

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The police are investigating allegations that Lands Authority chairman James Piscopo has engaged in money-laundering activities of some €600,000. The claims are believed to have been made by former Prime Minister’s chief of staff Keith Schembri.

Keith Schembri testified before the Caruana Galizia public inquiry and confirmed that he was aware that information about the Electrogas power station had been leaked to the murdered journalist. The decision to hold elections in June 2017 had been taken by March that year, Schembri revealed.

The government announced that, as from 2021, public holidays falling on weekends will be added to the annual leave entitlement. The decision, which requires parliamentary approval, will add three leave days in 2021 and four leave days in 2022.