11 organisations demand Johann Buttigieg’s immediate removal from Planning Authority
11 environmental and residents’ organisations have called for the immediate removal of Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg and demanded an independent investigation into his communications with developers and other individuals.
The demands were made in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Robert Abela, in which the organisations called for urgent action over what they described as corruption within the planning system.
In the letter, the organisations also called for legislation requiring officials at the Planning Authority and other public authorities to communicate exclusively through official channels, with such communications made accessible to the public upon request.
The letter was signed by BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Front Żgħażagħ għall-Ambjent, Għawdix, Il-Kollettiv, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta, Ramblers Association Malta and Wirt Għawdex.
The organisations referred to published conversations between Buttigieg and businessman Yorgen Fenech, claiming these revealed a “deeply troubling relationship” between a senior public official and a prominent businessman.
They alleged that the conversations involved discussions and decisions concerning projects, planning applications and business dealings.
The organisations also raised concerns over Buttigieg’s reappointment as Planning Authority CEO in 2025, saying this took place after parts of the conversations had already come to light.
They further referred to recent revelations that Buttigieg owns a private company operating in the planning sector while serving as head of the public authority responsible for planning.
The organisations called for Buttigieg to be removed as CEO and prohibited from holding public office or consultancy positions.
They also demanded an independent public investigation into communications between Buttigieg and developers or other individuals where these could constitute conflicts of interest. They proposed that such an investigation could be led by an independent authority, such as the Auditor General, and said it should lead to further police investigations and possible prosecutions where warranted.
The groups also called for a transparency register covering meetings between public officials and interested parties, with breaches of proposed requirements made a criminal offence.
The organisations said the planning system had consequences for the quality of life and the environment, and accused individuals with wealth and political influence of benefiting from what they described as anti-democratic and criminal practices.
They also linked their concerns to the findings of the 2021 public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The organisations warned that a failure by the government to take action against Buttigieg would send a message that corruption within public institutions was tolerated and normalised.
They concluded by calling for urgent planning reforms and said they were willing to work with people of integrity on changes to the planning system.
RSS Feed Source: Independent Malta 11 organisations demand Johann Buttigieg’s immediate removal from Planning Authority