Parliamentary secretary for planning Michael Falzon today officially requested an investigation on the transfer of property in Old Mint Street, Valletta, to third parties.

The transfer has been the subject of controversy after it was revealed that the government had bought half the ownership of the property in question for €1.65 million from Mark Gaffarena.

The government has already taken up a request by the Opposition to request the auditor general to investigate the deal.

In a statement today, Mr Falzon requested that the investigation is widened to cover other matters related to the deal. OPM permanent secretary Mario Cutajar has now written to the internal audit investigations department to open up an investigation on the case.