Opposition MP questions why FIAU still without a chief

Opposition MP Kristy Debono questioned why the Financial Intelligence and Analysis Unit (FIAU) is still without a chief, a whole seven months since the resignation of Manfred Galdes.

Speaking in Parliament during a debate on the 2017 supplementary estimates, Debono urged the government to stop procrastinating and dragging its feet in appointing Galdes’ successor.

“Some people would rather remain passive on the news [Galdes’ resignation] that damaged the financial services sector and Malta’s reputation as a whole, but at least the finance minister should have ensured that he was replaced immediately after he resigned,” she said. “There should be no compromises or dragging of feet where such sensitive and delicate issues are concerned. Concrete action must be taken to send out the message that we mean business and that we are learning from our mistakes.”

Galdes had been chief of the FIAU since 2008, but resigned in August to join the legal advisory firm Fenech Farrugia Fiott. However, the Opposition has repeatedly questioned whether his resignation was in any way linked with the Panama Papers scandal, which his office was investigating.

In November, finance minister Edward Scicluna said that the FIAU had recently concluded their first rounf of interviews for the position.

“A person is currently serving as acting director general and the FIAU is functioning as usual,” he said. “The FIAU is an autonomous unit and I don’t want to impose any pressure on them.”