This week, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana went on record as saying he does not want to be the person who “kills this country’s economy” and that is why energy subsidies will not be removed under his watch. Fair enough –  I don’t think any rational person wishes Malta to collapse either because we will all suffer as a result.

However, his attempt at painting a doomsday scenario is not in keeping with the responsibility he carries towards the public in his position. Instead of telling us that 3000 jobs would be lost and that a catastrophe would ensue, Caruana should be putting pressure on the PM to change course and gradually adjust the subsidies because the economic reckoning will have to come sooner rather than later.  A Finance Minister should be steering the ship into calmer waters not indirectly encouraging the government to head right into the eye of the storm by keeping us on the same path.

There are also times when, yes, those in charge need to bear the brunt of negative public reaction, unpalatable as it may seem, by advising a wiser course of action. As an example, those who follow what’s happening in the UK will know that the new PM Andy Burnham came in for quite a bit of flak this week.

He announced plans to adjust the existing triple lock arrangement for the state pension in order to help fund a new plan for social care. The triple lock currently guarantees that the state pension goes up each year in line with either inflation, wage increases or 2.5% – whichever is the highest. His plan is for pensions to increase by 2.5% or inflation, whichever is higher. 

The initial reaction by pensioners was understandably negative with people phoning in to talk shows to complain bitterly about being penalised after working hard all their lives.  Why should the money needed for social care come out of their pensions, was their very valid argument.  With millions of pensioners already reported to be living in poverty, this is being described by Burnham’s critics as yet another blow to their quality of life.  On the other hand, it has been pointed out that the National Care Service Burnham is proposing will provide free personal care at home for older people, based on need rather than ability to pay.  

So while at face value it sounded like a very unpopular decision, in reality it could well turn out to be an intelligent, socially just, move which actually benefits those who need it the most. Of course, the crunch is that the Labour Prime Minister needs to make it to 2030 (which is the target date for the changes to come into effect), seeing that the country has had 7 different Prime Ministers in the last decade.  

Meanwhile, the brutal reality facing the UK and other countries right now is how to cope with a fuel crisis which is crippling most European economies.  In contrast, so far, in Malta we have been cocooned to believe we have a bottomless pit of funds to distribute all the freebies which were promised while continuing to dole out subsidies at every turn.  

By cushioning the people from realistic prices, this administration has simply encouraged waste. Do you think there would be queues of cars with just the driver if the price of fuel reflected what is happening throughout Europe? As for our nonchalant use of electricity, where are the educational campaigns for domestic use, private enterprise and government departments to be less wasteful?  They are nowhere to be found because our bills are still manageable – unlike other countries we are not having to decide between cooling/heating our homes, buying petrol to go to work or paying for groceries. It’s time to drag Malta into the real world because in order to continue with these subsidies as fuel prices hit a record high, we already know that the money  (a projected €392 million for this year alone) will have to come from somewhere else, although Minister Caruana fell short of explaining where the cuts will be coming from.   

One possible cut I could suggest is that of public expenditure; there are many areas which could do with a trimming of the fat, starting with the numerous consultants who are paid eye-watering amounts, sometimes after they have had to resign in disgrace from their previous roles. There are also people who are milking the public coffers with not one but two high-paying positions.  Their salaries might be a drop in the ocean in the light of the government’s €12 billion debt, but getting rid of all these unnecessary salaries would be a start.  Even as I write this, I am fully aware that the likelihood of that happening is next to nil. 

The only thing we have been told is that the much-vaunted €1000 bonus for every worker promised in the election campaign is not going to happen yet (or ever). If there are those who are surprised by this they must be very gullible. Politicians will promise anything to get elected, including the bizarre idea of giving you cash just because you show up for work.  Of course, inevitably, you have those justifying the backtracking: “every administration has 5 years to implement its electoral promises”. Well the way things are looking on the economic front, barely anything which has been promised will actually come to fruition because it was all unfeasible in the first place. 

Even if we look at all the services which are free at the moment, it is difficult to understand how they will continue to be sustainable. But now that the public has been lulled into a false sense of security that these freebies will remain forever, trying to reverse this trend would be like snatching a favourite toy from a child’s hands.  There will be tantrums and meltdowns and the good feel factor on which the Labour Party has been riding on for so long will dissipate in an instant.  But we can only live under the illusion that all is hunky dory for so long. 

The first signs that all is not as rosy as it seems came during a meeting with the social partners a few weeks ago. “The minister told us in no uncertain words that we, the social partners, ‘do not know’ what is happening around us and that we have our ‘head in the clouds’,” a person present for the meeting said.  Caruana reportedly told MCESD members not to go to him with wish lists because he had “nothing to disburse”. 

It is this which prompted the Chamber of Commerce to state that the Minister speaks one way in private and another way in public.  It is clear that there was so much emphasis in the last few elections on keeping everyone happy by throwing money at every sector that there was not even a minimal attempt at reining in the largesse. 

There didn’t need to be any shock waves either. As the Malta Chamber’s vice president Silvan Mifsud pointed out, a 10c increase in fuel prices in 2022 would have saved the government €100 million across four years. With that €100 million saved, he pointed out, the government could have tripled its allocation towards solar energy systems, including solar panels and batteries.  

Other entities, like the Central Bank, have been warning us since last year that Malta needs an exit strategy from the subsidies.  Instead what we have had is a summer of unbridled waste of a precious resource because as long as prices are kept low, there is no reason for the public to be more prudent.

The real test will come with what is announced in the Budget: will Clyde Caruana finally bring our feet back on the ground with realistic measures or will we just keep hearing how Malta is magically safe from everything happening around us?  

Malta Freeport Terminals and MEDELEC have successfully completed a major upgrade of the Freeport’s primary electricity distribution substation, further strengthening the resilience, reliability and future capacity of one of the Mediterranean’s busiest transhipment hubs.

This substantial investment by the Freeport involved the complete replacement and modernisation of the medium-voltage switchgear and extensive refurbishment of the substation building, with all works carefully planned and executed while maintaining uninterrupted operations across the terminal.

The new medium-voltage switchgear was installed alongside the existing equipment, enabling the transfer of electrical circuits in phases without disrupting power supply to the terminal. 

The upgraded distribution centre also includes a fully refurbished building envelope, with new doors and apertures to ensure an airtight environment, together with new air-conditioning systems, fire detection and alarm systems, and CCTV installations.

The project features MEDELEC’s locally factory-assembled MSGair medium-voltage switchgear, designed and manufactured in Malta in accordance with the internationally recognised IEC 62271-200 standard. The equipment has undergone independent type testing at the CESI laboratories in Milan, confirming compliance with stringent international performance and safety requirements.

The new switchgear provides Malta Freeport Terminals with significant operational advantages. Its modular design allows for future expansion as the terminal’s electrical infrastructure continues to evolve, while the additional bus arrangement and ringed circuit capability substantially improve operational flexibility and network resilience.

The system has also been designed with safety and ease of operation as key priorities. All normal switching operations can be carried out with compartment doors closed, enhancing operator protection, while the equipment can be controlled both locally and through the terminal’s SCADA system, providing greater operational flexibility.

Alex Montebello, Chief Executive Officer at Malta Freeport Terminals, said the project represented another important investment in the terminal’s critical infrastructure.

“The reliability of our electrical distribution network is fundamental to maintaining the high levels of operational performance expected by our customers, and this upgrade provides us with a more resilient, flexible and future-ready system while ensuring the highest standards of safety and operational efficiency.”

David Fenech, Commercial Manager at MEDELEC, said: “We are grateful to MFT’s Chief Engineering Officer James Peter Alsop and his engineering team for the confidence they placed in MEDELEC and for the excellent cooperation shown throughout every stage of this project. Our team is proud to have contributed to another important milestone in Malta Freeport Terminals’ continued development.”

The successful completion of the project further reinforces Malta Freeport Terminals’ ongoing investment programme aimed at strengthening operational resilience, supporting future growth and ensuring the terminal continues to operate to the highest international standards.

EIT Community Hub Malta, which is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union is encouraging Maltese businesses, start-ups, universities, researchers and other organisations with ambitions to grow internationally to tap into EIT’s  extensive innovation network. This network has been specifically designed strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity. 

The EIT Community Hub Malta is highlighting the opportunities available through the EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), which bring together companies, SMEs and start-ups, universities, research organisations, investors, public bodies and civil society organisations from across Europe.

For Maltese organisations, becoming involved in these communities can provide access to potential commercial and research partners, specialist expertise, consortium building and matchmaking opportunities, innovation programmes, training and greater visibility within European innovation ecosystems.

Diana Miceli, EIT Community Officer Malta, said, “For Maltese organisations serious about growing internationally, we need to think beyond individual funding calls. A European strategy is also a relationship strategy. The EIT communities bring together the right companies, universities, researchers and innovators that Maltese organisations may want to work with when addressing a societal challenge. Rather than approaching every European opportunity from scratch, becoming part of these networks can help Maltese organisations build relationships and establish a stronger presence within the ecosystems where new collaborations and projects are being developed.”

The EIT’s communities span a broad range of sectors that are directly relevant to Malta’s economy and research community. These include climate innovation and resilience; digital technologies, deep tech, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; food and agriculture; healthcare and life sciences; sustainable energy; raw materials and the circular economy; water resilience and the blue economy; cultural and creative industries and sustainable transport and urban mobility.

While access to funding is an important part of the European innovation landscape, participation in these networks can offer benefits well before a funding application is submitted. European research and innovation projects frequently depend on strong international consortia, while commercial expansion and technology development can require relationships with businesses, researchers, customers and specialist partners outside Malta.

Different EIT communities offer different membership, partnership and engagement models, with the appropriate route depending on the organisation’s sector, size, objectives and level of involvement. Membership or partnership fees may apply in some cases and participation does not guarantee access to funding or selection for projects. Instead, its value lies in giving organisations the opportunity to become active participants in networks where partnerships, projects and commercial opportunities are continually being developed.

Miceli said organisations should therefore consider their longer-term European ambitions when deciding whether participation in an EIT community could be beneficial. “The starting point should be where an organisation wants to be in Europe in three to five years, which organisations it needs to know and which networks can help it build those relationships. Malta’s size should not prevent our businesses, researchers and innovators from being part of Europe’s largest innovation ecosystems.”

The EIT Community Hub Malta can help local organisations identify the communities most relevant to their activities and ambitions and explore the membership, partnership and other engagement opportunities available.

Organisations interested in finding out which EIT community could be the right fit for them can contact Diana Miceli, EIT Community Officer Malta, at malta@eitcommunity.eu for an initial discussion about the opportunities available and the most appropriate route into the EIT Community.

BOV Fund Services (BOVFS) is marking 20 years of growth, service and commitment to Malta’s funds industry. Incorporated in September 2006 as Valletta Fund Services, the company took over the fund administration business of Valletta Fund Management, which had been established in 1995 through a joint venture between Bank of Valletta p.l.c. and Rothschild & Co Asset Management. Since then, BOVFS has grown into a leading provider of fund administration solutions, offering fund managers and promoters a comprehensive range of fund administration and corporate services. These include fund structuring, fund accounting, shareholder registry services, regulatory reporting, company secretarial services and ancillary support tailored to the industry’s evolving needs.

The milestone was celebrated at an anniversary event bringing together those who contributed to the company’s journey. Kenneth Farrugia, Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Valletta and BOVFS’s first General Manager, reflected on the values that have sustained the business over the past two decades. “This milestone highlights the longevity, trust, commitment and professionalism that have shaped BOVFS. We remain committed to supporting the company’s continued growth. This aligns with our vision as a Bank to contribute to the growth of the economy, and to help strengthen and develop Malta’s fund services sector.”

Dr Diane Bugeja, Chairperson of BOVFS and a non-executive director of BOV, highlighted the company’s resilience and ability to adapt throughout two decades of regulatory change. “BOVFS has continued to grow while sustaining its position in a constantly evolving regulatory environment. This anniversary is not only an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, but also to look ahead with confidence as we continue to support the development of the funds industry,” she said.

Looking ahead, Loredano Agius, General Manager and Director of BOVFS, said that changing investor expectations would require faster and more digital interaction without compromising robust controls. “As we mark this anniversary, our focus is firmly on the future. We will continue modernising our technology and operating model, so that BOVFS is equipped to serve its clients and the industry for many more years to come.”

BOVFS is a fully owned subsidiary of Bank of Valletta p.l.c., and it is recognised to provide fund administration services and is licensed as a Class C Company Service Provider by the Malta Financial Services Authority. Over the past 20 years, it has developed alongside Malta’s emergence as an established and respected EU fund domicile. As the industry has grown in scale and complexity, the Company has continued to broaden its range of services to meet the changing needs of fund managers operating across diverse structures and investment strategies, including digital assets.

A temporary shutdown of the first interconnector (IC1) is required to isolate electrically the area where works will be carried out to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of workers in the high-risk electrical environment.

The Second Interconnector project (IC2) continues to progress steadily towards completion. Over recent months works at the Ragusa Terminal Station continued at a fast pace. A fire tank with associated fire pumps have been installed on the civil foundations constructed for the project, while the installation and assembly of the new 240 MVAr shunt reactor has been completed, including the construction of its fire protection walls. Interconnect Malta is now proceeding to a further phase of civil works at Ragusa Terminal Station. These works will require the temporary isolation of IC1, as heavy machinery will be operating in close proximity to the existing 220 kV overhead lines. In addition, modifications are required to the IC1 overhead line support structure to accommodate a new hybrid gas insulated switchgear, which will enable the new reactor to be connected to either interconnector as operational requirements dictate.

The works will also involve routing of 220kV land cable from the switchgear to the reactor in underground ducts that have been installed in preparation for this shutdown which is scheduled to commence on the 5th October and expected to last around twelve days.

This shutdown is an essential safety measure to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of personnel working in a high-risk electrical environment. It will also protect the existing interconnector infrastructure, ensuring that the work can be undertaken without compromising its integrity or safety.
The shutdown and associated works are being coordinated between Interconnect Malta, Enemalta, Terna Energy Solutions and the Italian Transmission System Operator.

These works have been planned well in advance to support the continued implementation of the Second Interconnector project. Enemalta has worked closely with Interconnect Malta, Terna Energy Solutions and the Italian Transmission System Operator to ensure all necessary preparatory measures are in place ahead of the temporary shutdown. While the works are being carried out, Malta’s electricity demand will be fully met through local generation resources, with sufficient capacity available to ensure the continued stability and security of supply. The works are also taking place against the backdrop of increasing electricity demand, including the record levels experienced during the summer months, further highlighting the importance of strategic investments that strengthen the resilience and flexibility of the national electricity system.

“The steady progress being achieved on the second interconnector demonstrates Government’s commitment to delivering the critical energy infrastructure required for Malta’s future. The works completed to date in Ragusa, together with the activities planned in the coming days, mark another important milestone towards the project’s completion and underline the significant effort being undertaken on both sides of the interconnection.” said Dr. Miriam Dalli, Minister for Energy, Environment and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour.

Following the re-energization of IC1, additional works will continue at the terminal station. This carefully phased programme has been developed in close coordination with Enemalta to ensure the efficient execution of works while minimizing disruption to the existing infrastructure.

“Carrying out major civil works within a terminal station with live equipment in proximity presents unique technical and safety challenges that require strict adherence to operational procedures, meticulous planning, and close coordination with Enemalta, the Italian Transmission System Operator, and our various contractors. We would like to thank all the stakeholders involved, including engineers, contractors, and their subcontractors, for their continued collaboration and commitment in ensuring that works are delivered safely and efficiently. The progress achieved to date in Ragusa demonstrates the collective effort of all parties involved and brings IC2 another step closer to completion supporting the country’s long-term energy ambitions.” Inġ. Ismail D’Amato, Interconnect Malta CEO said

Enemalta Executive Chairman Inġ. Ryan Fava said: “The first interconnector, which was developed and commissioned by Enemalta in 2015, marked a transformative milestone for Malta’s energy sector by establishing a direct connection to the European electricity grid and significantly strengthening the country’s security of supply. The Second Interconnector builds on that achievement and represents a critical investment in Malta’s long-term energy strategy. As electricity demand continues to grow and the energy sector evolves to accommodate a greater share of renewable energy, investments in resilient and flexible infrastructure become increasingly important. Enemalta has sufficient local generation capacity available to meet national electricity demand throughout the execution of these works, ensuring the continued reliability, stability and security of Malta’s electricity system.”

IC2 plays a pivotal role in the Government’s energy strategy and is identified as a planned project under the ‘Energy, Climate & Environmental Transformation’ priority of Malta’s Vision 2050. The project is designed to double Malta’s electricity interconnection capacity and strengthen national security of supply. By reducing dependence on locally generated fossil fuel power and enabling greater uptake of renewable energy, IC2 will contribute to Malta’s ongoing green transition.
The project is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), supporting Malta’s efforts to build a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

Almost 6km of high-voltage single-core cables have now been successfully laid between the Magħtab Terminal Station and the landfall transition joint bay, marking substantial progress in the onshore section of the project. Concurrently, the termination of the land cables within the Magħtab Terminal Station has also been completed both on the 120MVAr reactor and on the 250MVA 220kV/132kV transformer, with all the nine terminations completed.

“The steady progress being achieved on IC2 reflects our continued commitment to delivering the objectives set out in Malta’s Energy Shift: A Sustainable Power Transition. The second interconnector is a central component of this strategy, enhancing security of supply, increasing the resilience and flexibility of our electricity system, and creating additional capacity to accommodate renewable energy sources. The completion of the onshore cable-laying works in Malta represents another significant step forward” said Minister for Energy, the Environment and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, Dr Miriam Dalli. 

The project is set to reach another important milestone next week, when the final cable joint on Maltese territory is scheduled to be completed. This will conclude all land cable jointing works in Malta and ensure readiness for the connection of the onshore cable system to the submarine cable during the next phase of the project.

Once the remaining onshore works are completed, the onshore infrastructure will be fully prepared for integration with the subsea cable. Preparations for the marine cable laying phase are progressing, with the submarine cable laying operations targeted to begin towards the end of the year once the Horizontal Direction Drilling is completed in both countries.

The completion of the land cable installation and termination works represents a critical step in the delivery of the IC2 project. When operational, the IC2 will further strengthen Malta’s electricity connection with mainland Europe, enhancing security of supply, increasing system resilience, and providing additional flexibility to support Malta’s long-term energy transition objectives.

Interconnect Malta Divisional Manager, Dr Ing. Joseph Vassallo stated: “The successful laying of almost 6km of land cable installation, together with the cable termination works at the Magħtab Terminal Station reflects the close coordination and technical expertise of all the parties involved in this project. These important milestones provide a solid foundation for the offshore installation phase planned for later this year and bring ICM another step closer to completing this strategic national investment.”

Bank of Valletta will bring BOV Club closer to students during this year’s Freshers’ Week, offering practical financial information, career conversations and interactive campus activities designed around students’ academic and financial journey.

BOV will be present at ITS, Junior College, Sir M. A. Refalo Sixth Form, Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School, MCAST and the University of Malta, where representatives will meet students, discuss their needs and introduce BOV Club products and services relevant to their studies and wider financial journey. Students will also be able to explore career opportunities with the Bank, including its Graduates Programme, through direct conversations with representatives from BOV’s People and Culture function.

Students visiting the BOV Club stand will be able to take part in a quiz focused on the features and benefits of BOV Club, while also being invited to share feedback on the package and their broader student experience. The feedback gathered will help the Bank continue shaping its student proposition around students’ evolving needs. Three participants will be in chance to win one iPhone 17 each. Students taking part in the quiz will also receive a Scratch & Win card, with every card revealing an item of BOV promotional merchandise that can be redeemed immediately at the stand.

This year’s activity will also introduce a new Reflex Challenge at Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School, the University of Malta and MCAST Paola. Participants will have 30 seconds to touch as many illuminated sensors as possible, with the highest-scoring participant at each institution receiving a €150 One4All voucher, the student placing second will get €100 One4All voucher and student placing third a €50 One4All voucher. Previous stand-based challenges attracted more than 2,000 participants across two years.

In addition, to continue raising awareness about scams, students will have the opportunity to participate in a scam-awareness quiz. Three participants will be in with a chance of winning a gaming package consisting of an ASUS TUF A16″ FHD Gaming Laptop and JBL Tune 670NC Noise-Cancelling Headphones.

The Bank will also be collaborating with Andrew’s Snack Bar to officially launch the BOV Club Ftira during the Freshers’ Week period. The BOV Club Ftira will also be available as part of Andrew’s menu throughout this period.

Also part of this year’s initiative, the Bank will be offering a limited number of complimentary six-month Times of Malta subscription to help students stay informed about current affairs throughout their academic year. Students can access the offer on a first-come-first-served basis by scanning a QR code at the BOV stand and completing a short registration form, after which they will receive redemption instructions.

Through BOV Club, the Bank continues to invest in long-term relationships with Malta’s student community, combining day-to-day banking support with access to information, digital tools and opportunities that can help young people take confident steps into the next stage of their lives.

BOV Club is designed for eligible students aged between 16 and 30, offering banking products, digital services and financing options that support them through their studies and beyond. Further information about the package, including eligibility criteria and applicable terms and conditions, is available at www.bov.com/bov-club.

As an Apple Authorised Reseller of the new iPhone devices in Malta, Melita opened its stores at midnight today to coincide with the launch. This enabled customers eager to purchase the new devices to get their hands on them from the moment they became officially available in Malta.

Simon Poljsak, Head of Marketing at Melita, said: “The launch of a new iPhone is always eagerly anticipated, and we wanted to make sure our customers could get their hands on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max from the moment they became available in Malta. Opening stores at midnight was part of that commitment, and we are delighted to now be offering both models to customers across Malta.”

The new iPhone 18 Pro range brings Apple’s latest advances in smartphone performance, photography and battery life. Combined with high-speed 5G connectivity, the devices are designed to support everything from streaming and remote working to gaming, content creation and everyday communication.

Melita is offering both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max alongside its mobile plans. This complements Melita’s continued focus on offering customers a wide choice of the latest smartphones alongside flexible mobile packages and high speed connectivity. Full details, including available models and purchasing options, can be found on the Melita website (www.melita.com).

It is clear that we need more than just street protests to shake this government from its complacency and its smug assumption that people will simply forget about the blatant corruption and move on. A protest will be “tolerated”, and afterwards those who made the effort to show up will go home and, no matter how angry they still are, they inevitably have to resume their lives.

I can imagine that the conversation at Castille goes something like this.

“Have they packed up their signs and left?

“Yes, boss”

“Good, you see? We let them vent, they get it out of their system, give it a couple of days and we can alienate the masses with some positive announcement soon. Any ideas?”

“I’ve got it Chief! It’s the perfect time to announce that Mariah Carey is coming to Malta.”

And just in case you think the government has “nothing to do with it”, think again. The fact that promotors can afford to bring over these international stars is only possible thanks to heavy funding through the Large Scale Events Support Scheme administered by Festivals Malta. In other words, we are subsidising the costs to hold these events through our taxes, while the income from the hefty ticket prices to actually attend the concert is pocketed by the organisers. It’s safe to say you won’t be seeing them at any protests.

What we need are more visibly disruptive actions such as the one staged by Moviment Graffitti and Friends of the Art. It was a brilliant move. When a conference was announced where Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg would be one of the speakers, they were ready. But first, can we take a minute to analyse just how brazen the very idea behind this conference was?

The venue: The Hard Rock hotel, built on the site of the former ITS, despite thousands of objections by Pembroke residents that the hotel and accompanying high rise towers were going to ruin their once peaceful town. This was public land which was transferred for a relative pittance to the developers, DB group. If the choice of venue was not a deliberately provocative insult, a nice FU to the citizen, I don’t know what is.

The theme: The Citizen, the Environment and Development 2026. My first thought on seeing this was that they were taking the piss, only to realise they were serious. This preposterous choice of topic for a conference was coming from an administration which has shown time and again that it does not care about the citizen or the environment, because it is being held in the tight, vice-like grip of powerful developers.

The speakers: This is where it began to sound like a farce. I know we are approaching Panto season but really, you cannot make this shit up for a script if you tried. Architects, representatives from Government entities, an economist and the secretary general of the GWU. Where were the citizens themselves who could only be truly represented by environmental activists? They, apparently, were not significant enough to be invited, despite their name being in the title.

The cherry on the cake, of course, was the presence of Mr Buttigieg himself, the very same person who was so casual in his What’s App chats with the notorious Yorgen Fenech about the inner workings of the Planning Authority. Graffitti burst into the conference armed with masks depicting pigs and placards reading “out with the corrupt” and stood behind Mr Buttigieg as well as Planning Minister Jonathan Attard. The visual impact was perfect.

To quote the statement issued by Moviment Graffitti and FOE “It is unacceptable that Buttigieg, against whom clear evidence of corruption and murky ties with powerful developers and business interests has emerged, remains at the helm of an authority so crucial to our country…in a farcical parody of reality, Buttigieg himself was allowed to lead a discussion on citizens’ rights in development…We made it clear that Buttigieg has no legitimacy to speak on behalf of citizens or the environment, much less to continue leading the Planning Authority. His loyalties clearly lie not with citizens, but with powerful business interests and criminals. The rot within our institutions has reached alarming levels. Not only has the Government failed to remove Buttigieg despite the incriminating evidence against him, but he is being allowed to present himself as a champion of integrity in planning.”

As the whole thing was being broadcast live on FB, sharp-eyed observers took a screenshot when the notification came up that “Robert Abela is watching”.

It’s good to know that the disruption got the PM’s attention, but now he needs to stop standing on the sidelines and force Buttigieg to resign. 34 entities have already called on the government to remove the PA CEO from his post. But it’s no surprise that the Malta Development Association is not one of them.

On Friday, the MDA hit out at the Nationalist Party over its insistence that Johann Buttigieg should be removed and the association even had the cheek to defend the man. We should not really be surprised, should we, since it has become very obvious that developers and the PA are all on the same side.

Instead of your run-of-the-mill press coverage which is usually reported verbatim, the reporters present at the conference took the opportunity to corner Johann Buttigieg and ask him some questions. When pressed about those infamous chats with Yorgen Fenech about doing business together, Buttigieg replied that “in hindsight” he wouldn’t speak like that to developers again.

The usual saying is that “hindsight is 20/20”, in other words it is easy to be wise after the event. In this case, however, hindsight is pointless and cannot excuse Buttigieg’s lack of ethics and discretion as head of the authority which approves development permits. If you do not understand that there are strict boundaries when you are in that position, and that crossing those boundaries means you are trading in influence, then it just further underlines why you should not be in that role in the first place. Again and again we keep seeing people in high positions exposing themselves to allegations of corruption (which turn out to be true) and the only reason they keep doing it is because they keep getting away with it. No one is kicked out, or if they are, the PM just waits until the whole thing blows over and hands them another juicy position. We are being played at every turn.

If Abela can tear himself away from munching on his slice of New York pizza long enough, he needs to stop merely “watching” as his propaganda exercises, such as that conference, are disrupted. He needs to wake up and realise that public anger is not going away but instead, it is mounting. The PA makes life hell for the ordinary citizen, forcing them to pay thousands for relatively minor infringements discovered in 60-year-old properties which were there before certain planning laws were enacted. As many have found to their dismay, if you do not pay up and get these infringements sanctioned, you cannot sell your property. Meanwhile, the head of the PA cosies up to millionaires who have torn through the Maltese landscape with their bulldozers to build their butt ugly projects and keeps giving them the stamp of approval to destroy our country even more.

Moviment Graffitti not only should be congratulated for its actions at that conference, but it should continue to be supported by all those who truly love Malta. The gloves have to come off and we cannot just sit back and shrug helplessly as the authorities organise these pseudo discussions while laughing in our face.

The officers received certification or an Award in Child-Friendly Community Policing in Today’s Online World, an MQF level 4 course, during a ceremony attended by Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield and Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà.

The accredited course was delivered under POP-Up, a project forming part of the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, which is licensed as a Further and Higher Education Institution by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA).

MFWS chair Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said the graduation ceremony celebrated the officers’ dedication and reflected the Foundation’s commitment to placing children’s wellbeing, safety and rights at the heart of policing.

“In an increasingly digital world, police officers play a vital role in protecting and supporting children and families. Through this training, they have strengthened their ability to respond with professionalism, empathy and understanding to the challenges facing young people online.

“I congratulate all graduates and thank the Police Commissioner and the Malta Police Force for their collaboration. Together, we are building safer communities and a more child-centred society,” Ms Coleiro Preca said.

Dr Bedingfield said the course had equipped officers with the knowledge and tools needed to better understand the realities children face online and the risks that come with them.

“We want a police force that protects, listens and remains close to the community, both in the real world and online. With 148 officers having completed this training, we are strengthening the Force’s ability to create an environment where children feel safe speaking up and seeking help,” he said.

POP-Up project coordinator Antonella Gatt said that having completed the course, officers were now better equipped to handle reports involving online risks, promote safer internet use, communicate digital safety to children, and better understand the rapidly changing digital landscape.

The skills covered are also crucial to building trust with children. Officers have been trained to identify risky online behaviours, respond with empathy, and interview children in a child-friendly manner, while adopting a preventive approach and using the tools gained to promote safer digital practices in the schools and communities they visit.

The Police Commissioner said the partnership with the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and its POP-Up Project provided community officers with the right training to engage with children sensitively, recognise signs of vulnerability and intervene before harm escalates.

“Protecting children today requires us to understand both their physical and online worlds. The trust built through everyday contact in schools and communities can determine whether a child feels able to speak when something is wrong.

“This initiative strengthens our shared commitment to child-centred policing and reflects our conviction that safeguarding children depends on prevention, early intervention and effective partnership,” Mr Gafà said.

Student representative PS Abigail Sciberras, who gained the highest marks during the course, said the training had strengthened her understanding of how to engage with children and young people in today’s digital world.

“This course helped me focus on active listening, empathy, online safety and trust-building. The knowledge gained will support my duties in prevention and community engagement, helping young people feel safe and confident in approaching the police.”

Further information on the courses is available on https://mfws.org.mt/courses/