Partit Demokratiku today said it is concerned that the security and interests of the Maltese people are not being guarded. 

Yesterday, the USA expelled the operations of Huawei 5G, who are accused of stealing trade secrets, laundering money and defrauding banks. This action follows similar dismissals by Australia and Canada. The Huawei Chinese telecommunications giant has been blacklisted on allegations of corruption and espionage in many parts of the world.

5G mobile connectivity was introduced in Malta last October, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Huawei and the Maltese Government, with the aim to motivate research and development in this sector. 

"Is our security, and that of Europe, under threat, considering that this global technology powerhouse has been repeatedly caught out as having different intentions from its stated objectives? Does Malta have the means to check on this and keep Huawei in check?" MEP candidate Martin Cauchi Inglott said. 

"We had everything going well for us in this sector, having sailed through two financial crises. Why have we been pushed by our government into business entanglements with companies which other Western countries are expelling for security reasons? Our government has sold us lock stock and barrel in the name of its shady crony deals," MP Marlene Farrugia said.

Moreover, Transparency International has just downgraded Malta with the lowest ever Corruption Perception index. Recently, the PD Opposition in Parliament tabled two Private Members’ Bills in Parliament: one proposing scrutiny of the MFSA, eGaming and FIAU, and the other to combat international organized crime in Maltese waters.

Partit Demokratiku is calling on the Prime Minister to make an immediate ministerial statement in Parliament on Malta’s security to make it clear in which direction the country is headed, and what threats are being addressed or otherwise ignored.