What the Sunday papers say…

MaltaToday says that government claims in 2011 that it was considering disciplinary action against the custodians of Nigerian asylum seeker Ifeanyi Nwokoye, who died after escaping from detention in Safi, misled the public because home affairs minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici had already directed the Detention Services commander not to take any action.

On the front page, MaltaToday’s survey reveals that energy and health minister Konrad Mizzi is the most trusted nanny, with 13% of respondents deeming him the most trustworthy among the current crop of ministers. The survey also reveals that respondens who attend misnight mass are happier during the Christmas period than those who do not, while 34% of respondend have less cash for gifts.

Sunday newspaper Illum says that in 2009, the Resources Ministry – then led by former PN minister George Pullicino – received four submissions for the operation of the San Frangisk Animal Hospital in Ta’ Qali, only for the National Audit Office to find no traces of the evaluation process which led to the centre being run by its present operators, Veterinary Trevor Zammit. The newspaper also reveals that whereas a rival bidder had proposed the free provision of services to animals, Zammit’s bid was nevertheless opted for, resulting in the payment of €331,000 in services.

On the front page, the Sunday newspaper also leads with the comments of newly-appointed police commissioner Michael Cassar. In exclusive comments, Cassar called for a review on the engagement and reappointments of police officers.

The Sunday Times of Malta says a review of Malta’s detention policy held following the death of two migrants two year ago had recommended that irregular migration should be taken out of the military’s hands and be run by a civilian-run agency.

The Malta Independent on Sunday says that according to its recent survey, recent controversies may not have had a negative impact on the popularity of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, and that in spite of the shooting incident involving former home affairs minister Manuel Mallia’s driver Paul Sheehan, the majority deem Prime Minister Joseph Muscat more trustworthy than his counterpart Simon Busuttil.

It-Torca quotes foreign minister George Vella in insisting that the Maltese government had never interfered and has no intention of interfering in Libya’s internal affairs and the conflict between Libya’s Tobruk-based House of Representatives and Tripoli-based National Salvation Government.

PN news organ il-mument reports that former home affiars minister Manuel Mallia – who was dismissed in the wake of the controversy involving his driver, PC Paul Sheehan – is expected to appointed as foreign affairs minister, possibility before or during the Christmas holidays.

Kullhadd says that the European Commission informed the Nationalist Party that Enemalta’s agreements with Shanghai Electric and Electrogas were in line with its procurement regulations.