SBT Japan has cut ties with Rokku and Tal-Qasab car dealers, independent politician Arnold Cassola has said.

Early in June, Maltatoday reported how two car dealers ( Rokku and Tal-Qasab) sold imported cars from Japan after allegedly tampering with their mileage gauges. The minister for Inclusion, Social Wellbeing and Voluntary Organisations Julia Farrugia Portelli had appealed for suspected victims to contact the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority and file a complaint.  She told The Malta Independent in August: "We helped more than 80% of all cases that have come forward to receive adequate compensation. I am also aware that there is a last attempt ongoing for the remaining percentage to be resolved (...)  I also understand that the competent authorities, such as the police, are conducting the necessary investigations, as such a case also merits to be investigated from that aspect." The minister could not comment on the stage of the police investigation.

In a statement on Wednesday, Cassola said: "SBT Japan, the world's largest used car exporters, has severed all contacts with Rokku and Tal-Qasab."

Cassola said that he received a letter Adeel Khan, the manager in charge of sales for Malta, informing that he considers the behaviour of the two car dealers to be "a very foul practice to follow".

"As a result, he has assured that SBT Japan condemns this behaviour and 'and are not doing business with the two dealers.'

Arnold Cassola said: "It is shameful that Malta's reputation has again been tainted internationally."

"While it is important that total compensation is given by these dealers to all the people conned, one wonders why Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli seems to be happy with a behind the scenes private settlement and why the police have not yet arraigned the two in court, since this is a criminal offence of massive proportions. Is the dealer's friendship with  and acquaintance of present and past politicians a reason for trying to hush down this scandal?"