Moviment Graffitti has called for an independent investigation into Johann Buttigieg's conduct at the Planning Authority.

This follows an article which appeared in The Sunday Times of Malta, which read that former Planning Authority chairman Johann Buttigieg had expressed a willingness to "do business" with 17 Black owner Yorgen Fenech, according to messages exchanged between the pair in March 2019. This had to do with a property one of the two wanted to take over from Joe Portelli.  Buttigieg denied ever doing any business with Fenech, but failed to say why such chats about potential business deals even took place, the newspaper reports.

"Today's revelations in The Sunday Times about Johann Buttigieg and Yorgen Fenech corroborates what Moviment Graffitti have long been saying about the Planning Authority - that it is wholly corrupt, and caters mostly, if not solely, to the interests of big business and the political class."

"The Planning Authority has long been granting construction magnates unbridled power through their development projects, which often run contrary to the needs of everyday citizens. This article reveals black-on-white how close relationships between top-management at the PA and the business and political classes create a climate of impunity - that not only are construction magnates free to run rampant, but are entertained to do so behind-the-scenes at the Planning Authority."

And this issue goes beyond Yorgen Fenech, the NGO said. "Moviment Graffitti can't help but ask which other developers enjoyed a friendly relationship with Johann Buttigieg, and why the ex-PA Chairman never declared a conflict of interest when presiding over planning decisions he had a clear position of influence in."

"Risks of influence-peddling are too evident. Every project mentioned in these chats require further inspection by authorities, while an independent investigation needs to be set up into Buttigieg's conduct at the Planning Authority."

Further to this, Johann Buttigieg must be made to resign from his post at the Malta Tourism Authority immediately, the NGO said.

As Moviment Graffitti previously argued in their 'Reforming Planning and Construction in Malta' document, those in power must be held accountable at all costs. "PA Board members and high-ranking officials must be held personally responsible for their conduct, especially in terms of breaching policies, their own code of ethics, conflict of interest, undue influence and other improper behaviour."

"One cannot forget the responsibility Minister Ian Borg has in this. The Minister stood by Johann Buttigieg throughout all the criticism and backlash received against the Planning Authority. Two months after we asked the Minister to take responsibility for Buttigieg's behaviour, Buttigieg 'resigned' from the Planning Authority and was given a high-salary position in the Malta Tourism Authority."

"What did Ian Borg know about the tense dynamics between Johann Buttigieg, Yorgen Fenech and Joe Portelli? What was the real reason behind Buttigieg's removal from the PA?"

Politician Arnold Cassola has also weighed in on the matter and asked the Commission against Corruption to investigate Johann Buttigieg.