Energy minister claims criticism of wife’s appointment ‘a diversion’

Energy minister Konrad Mizzi has denied that his wife Sai Mizzi Liang, who was appointed as an investment promotion envoy based in Shanghai, will be earning close to €100,000 a year.

Mizzi today said that his wife had been engaged on a Scale 3 salary, the same paid to diplomats stationed overseas, which amounts to €33,000 without allowances. The allowances vary according to the country post.

"To say she earns €2,000 a week is a very unfair assumption," Mizzi said, after Opposition leader Simon Busuttil yesterday flagged the appointment of the minister's wife as a Malta Enterprise envoy.

Mizzi said he had repeatedly stated his wife's work would not intersect with his own, something that Busuttil yesterday said did not make sense given that the government was now actively pursuing energy opportunities with China and other Asian companies.

"Traditionally Malta Enterprise doesn't focus on energy and we have already attracted substantial investment in this sector. There are many other sectors on which to focus," Mizzi said.

Mizzi is claiming a Nationalist Party official "warned [him] over an attack to divert public attention" from Labour's plan to convert the Delimara power station to gas.

The party's official line is that criticism of the impolitic appointment of Sai Mizzi Liang as an envoy, is intended at diverting the public's attention on the gas plant project that Konrad Mizzi is piloting.

Mizzi is facing calls for resignation by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil.

"These attacks on me and my family do nothing more than strengthening my resolve to deliver on energy plans and targets. We are on track to reduce the utility bills, we are securing deals with strategic partners, we are offering cheaper fuel and LPG prices to our families. This is what matters to me," Mizzi said during a press briefing.

The energy minister reiterated that he had nothing to do with the appointment and in no way did he exert any pressure for such an appointment.

"I only discussed the issue with the Prime Minister in the recent days... With the prime minister I discuss issues of delivery," Mizzi said. "This is an appointment carried out by Malta Enterprise and I have nothing to do with it. I am only accountable for my performance."

The price of LPG yesterday increased to €18.30 for a 12kg cylinder, but locked for the next three months.While traditional figures show a monthly increase of prices during the winter months - due to increased demand - the peak price would usually hit December. But through an agreement with Liquigas, the island's dominant market operator, the prices will remain unchanged for until December 2013.

The Malta Resources Authority was now analysing the possibility of locking the price of LPG for a longer term and studies were underway to determine a regulatory price regime.