Malta’s investment envoy to Asia Sai Mizzi is being given protection from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request filed by this paper asking to see her contract. Ms Mizzi, who is Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi’s wife, was engaged in her role by Malta Enterprise last year.

The Malta Independent was informed that the information requested cannot be divulged as it is “secret and confidential”.

“As has been held by the Data Protection Commissioner in reply to a similar request on the same subject-matter, sub-article 21(5) of the Malta Enterprise Act classifies all documents and information “relating to matters contemplated by or pursuant to the provisions of this Act” as “secret and confidential”.

“Moreover every person having an official duty or being an employee of Malta Enterprise, must subscribe to a declaration before a Commissioner for Oaths to the effect that he/she shall regard and deal with such documents and information as secret and confidential,” ME said in their reply to the request. The Malta Independent pointed out that an FOI request granting access to a public official’s contract was upheld just last month, namely that of Chairman of the national festivities foundation Lou Bondi, therefore these is no reason why Ms Mizzi’s contract should not be published.

Last year, this paper also filed a Freedom of Information request asking for Ms Mizzi’s China work address but no information was ever forthcoming.

The Malta Independent has filed a complaint about ME’s latest FOI refusal.

In it, this paper points out that applying the blanket “secret and confidential” clause goes against the very spirit of the FOI Act.

This paper also pointed out that Article 21(6) of the very Act cited by ME states that :

“Nothing in this article shall hinder the Corporation or its Staff…. from providing full access to such other persons or authorities as are entitled to receive such information under provisions of applicable law for the carrying out of their functions.”

Ms Mizzi’s contract has been the subject of much speculation, with the Nationalist Party claiming she is hauling in an eye-watering €13,000 per month.

Publishing her contract would finally halt all the speculation and prove that the Freedom of Information Act is not just a paper tiger.