Press Review • 19 February

MaltaToday

Parliamentary secretary Franco Mercieca may step down

Ophthalmologist Franco Mercieca may return to his medical practice, despite the waiver granted him by the Prime Minister to retain both his professional employment and his post with the government. Mercieca said that he felt more drawn to the medical profession and that the salary of his government position was not necessarily a factor in his decision to step down. 

The Times

Rigging meters may not fall under law on bribery

Defending the government's decision to waive criminal action, Justice Parliamentary Secretary Own Bonnici said that the Attorney General had advised that rigging meters was unlikely to fall under bribery law. Bonnici said that it was the special circumstances that rendered an action corrupt that gave these thefts their legal ambiguity.  

In-Nazzjon

PN says Prime Minister has no authority to pardon corruption

Deputy leader of the PN Beppe Fenech Adami yesterday called the Prime Minister's decision to pardon those involved in electricity theft the biggest scandal of the Labour party's first year in power. In-Nazzjon reported that during a press conference at the PN headquarters yesterday, Fenech Adami said that this move goes against Muscat's pre-electoral promise to weed out corruption.

L-Orizzont

Il-Haqqa's ties to PN refuted

Following a report that L-Orizzont published yesterday, PN MP Mario Galea came forward to deny any connection with Pietru 'il-Haqqa' Cassar, who was found dead last week. Galea categorically dismissed any links with Cassar, stating that they only spoke once back in 1982 and that the victim had never done any canvassing work for him. 

Amnesty for electricity theft also happened under PN watch

In response to criticism against the prime minister's pardoning of corruption, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi pointed out that in 2006, then-minister Austin Gatt also pardoned cases of electricity theft against a fee of LM100, regardless of the amount stolen. The move did little to stem the thefts that amounted to 30 million per year, with Mizzi saying that the current government's decision will do more to tackle the root of the problem.

The Malta Independent 

The many facets of the smart meter scandal

The Malta Independent ran several articles today, detailing different aspects of the smart meter scandal. One explores whether prosecution on such a large scale is feasible. Another reveals that Enemalta has a list of all those who participated in the thefts and that Justice Parliamentary Secretary Owen Bonnici would rather bring the mastermind to justice rather than the 'little fish' who benefited from lower electricity rates. In a final article, PN Deputy Leader Fenech Adami said that the government is getting in the way of the police force's 'sterling work'.