The Malta Independent 14 October 2024, Monday
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Simon Busuttil 'shocked' by corruption allegations against Alfred Mifsud

Kevin Schembri Orland Wednesday, 15 June 2016, 11:43 Last update: about 9 years ago

Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil expressed his shock at the allegations being made against the Deputy Central Bank Governor Alfred Mifsud, and had several questions for the Prime Minister.

Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia had alleged that Mr Mifsud received hard cash totaling thousands of Maltese Liri from a Maltese businessman while he was Chairman at Mid Med Bank. The businessman was allegedly the representative of an American software company tasked by the bank to change the IT system. Alfred Mifsud is set to take over the post of Central Bank Governor.

"It has been reported that the Finance Ministry is probing corruption allegations made against the Deputy Central Bank of Malta deputy governor Alfred Mifsud".

"It is shocking that just a few days before the Central Bank Governor changes, we find serious allegations made against the person who is likely to take up the post".

"It was said in the Times of Malta today, that the Finance Minister is investigating. This brings about some serious questions. If you have someone who will be appointed Central Bank Governor soon, will the investigations continue? Why doesn't government make a public statement on this, where we will have a new Governor with all these questions surrounding this?"

"The Opposition awaits clear responses from the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister. Don't forget, the Central Bank Governor also represents Malta at the European Central Bank. Malta's name is also in this".

"The PN in its good governance document, had proposed that we start appointing persons to the highest posts through a 2/3rds Parliamentary majority".

"Another article states that the Commissioner for Inland Revenue is investigating those mentioned in the Panama Papers. This means that Minister Konrad Mizzi and the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Keith Schembri are being investigated. The question is, how can the PM allow these two to remain in their posts when they are being investigated by the Department for Inland Revenue? I can't imagine the Department is investigating everyone except Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri. These are the questions the Opposition will keep making, and we expect a clear answer".

"The police Commissioner says publicly he is not investigating. The only conclusion is that the sole reason for the PM placing this Commissioner in his post is that he knows no police investigation will occur into Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri, this is shocking". 


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