Today, eleven environmental and residents’ organisations from Malta and Gozo sent a joint urgent letter to the Prime Minister concerning what they described as ”corruption in the planning system” and calling for Johann Buttigieg to be removed immediately, for an independent investigation to be carried out, and for legislation to be introduced to safeguard transparency and accountability.

The letter is shown in full below:

Hon. Dr Robert Abela Prime Minister of Malta

”We are writing to you as environmental and residents’ organisations committed to promoting decency and integrity in the planning system, to call for immediate action regarding the Chief Executive Officer of the Planning Authority, Johann Buttigieg.

”It should be abundantly clear that a person whose corrupt conduct has been exposed cannot continue to lead an authority of such fundamental importance to our country. The published conversations between Johann Buttigieg and Yorgen Fenech reveal a deeply troubling relationship between a senior public official and a prominent businessman. Together, they discussed and made decisions concerning projects, planning applications and business dealings.

”It was already deeply concerning that Johann Buttigieg was reappointed as CEO of the Planning Authority in 2025, after parts of these conversations had already come to light. Now that the rest of the conversations have been published, however, there can be no further denial or dismissal of the seriousness of this conduct.

”It has also recently been revealed that Johann Buttigieg owns a private company operating in the planning sector while simultaneously serving as the head of the public authority responsible for planning.

”The grave consequences of such conduct are being borne by the Maltese people and the environment in which we live. Rotten planning decisions are destroying our quality of life and threatening the future of our children, while benefiting a small number of individuals with wealth and political influence who operate in ways that are anti-democratic and criminal.

”We are therefore calling for basic standards of decency and accountability in the face of this scandal, through the following measures:

1. Johann Buttigieg must be immediately removed as CEO of the Planning Authority and prohibited from holding any public office or consultancy position.

2. A public and independent investigation must be launched into all communications between Johann Buttigieg and developers, as well as other individuals, where these may constitute a conflict of interest with the position he holds. The investigation should be led by an independent authority, such as the Auditor General, and should, where warranted, result in further police investigations into potential criminal offences and prosecutions before the courts.

3. Legislation must be introduced requiring all communications by officials of the Planning Authority, as well as those of other public authorities, to take place exclusively through official channels, with such communications made accessible to members of the public upon request. In addition, a transparency register should be established covering all meetings between public officials and interested parties. Breaches of these requirements should constitute a criminal offence.

”Our country and its institutions deserve better than the sordid situation we are witnessing today, in which the toxic links between politicians, public institutions and big business have been laid bare. As was made clear by the 2021 public inquiry, relationships of this nature contributed to the circumstances that led to the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

”Your failure to take action to do what should have been done long ago – remove Johann Buttigieg from his position – would send a deeply troubling message: that corruption within our country’s institutions is tolerated and normalised.

”We do not wish to have to fight for something as fundamental as this, which should be a matter of common sense and basic political decency. However, if you fail to fulfil your duty, you will leave us with no choice but to mobilise the public to demand basic integrity in the planning system, so that our country is no longer held hostage by a criminal in power.

”We look forward to the necessary action being taken without further delay and to the opportunity to discuss and work together with people of integrity on the planning reforms that our country so urgently needs.”

Yours sincerely,

BirdLife Malta

Din l-Art Helwa

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar

Friends of the Earth Malta

Front Zghazagh ghall-Ambjent

Ghawdix

Il-Kollettiv

Moviment Graffitti

Nature Trust Malta

Ramblers Association Malta

Wirt Ghawdex.

File photo

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