What the Sunday papers say…
A round-up of the newspaper headlines on Sunday morning.
MaltaToday reports that Pierre Sladden, one of the businessmen caught in the eye of the storm unleashed by the Panama Papers after it was revealed to have used offshore firms in the British Virgin Islands for a €900,000 transaction, had his company carry out €35,000 in works on properties owned by Nationalist Party deputy leader Mario de Marco in 2011, as well as for some Allied Newspapers officials. But de Marco never paid for the works, until the resignation of Adrian Hillman from Allied Newspapers Ltd.
On the frontpage, the newspaper reports that MEPs have voted for a law to protect corporate secrecy against ‘leaks’. The report says Maltese MEPs from both sides of the political divide voted in favour of the directive that could incriminate whistleblowers and investigate journalists who breach corporate secrecy. In an interview with the newspaper, Planning Authority’s Chief Executive Officer Johan Buttigieg confirmed that a legal notice aimed at regularising planning infringements in urban areas will be issued for public consultation.
Sunday newspaper Illum says legal experts have demanded that action be taken against Mr Justice Giovanni Grixti following the illegal arrest of Zurrieq mayor Natius Farrugia. In another story, the newspaper says education minister Evarist Bartolo would have voted against a no confidence motion against energy minister Konrad Mizzi.
The Sunday Times of Malta says a whistleblower who cooked up a storm against former Nationalist Party minister Tonio Fenech six years ago has benefited from government contracts worth over €1 million since Labour came to power. In another story, the newspaper says major amendments to tax laws may have to be passed after the Constitutional Court ruled that VAT legislation breaches the fundamental right of not to be tried twice for the same offence.
The Malta Independent on Sunday says Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has retained his position as the country’s most trusted political leader, but Opposition leader Simon Busuttil is making gains.
It-Torca says works at the St Luke’s Hospital and the Karen Grech Hospital will commence in the coming weeks, while in another story, it says that Huawei and the Maltese government signed a second memorandum of understanding which will result in a combined investment of at least €4.5 million.
Nationalist news organ il-mument says that the Labour MPs’ vote of confidence in the government tomorrow does not reflect their anger at Prime Minister joseph Muscat.
Labour newspaper Kullhadd says a deal was signed by former PN Minister Chris Said on the eve of the 2013 general election for a social housing project in Naxxar to be abandoned so that the land be used for private gain.