Updated 1200
Four New Permanent Secretaries Appointed as Government Reshuffles Top Civil Service Roles: The government has appointed four new Permanent Secretaries following the formation of the new Cabinet. Ramon Deguara, Stephanie Rocco, Emil Vassallo and Keith Bartolo have been promoted from senior public service roles to lead key ministries. Meanwhile, several experienced Permanent Secretaries have been reassigned across government portfolios. Tony Sultana remains Principal Permanent Secretary and Head of the Public Service, while Joyce Cassar retains responsibility for People and Standards at the Office of the Prime Minister. Notably, Carlos Tabone will oversee two ministries, while only three women were appointed Permanent Secretaries across government. (The Times of Malta)
Malta’s Shadow Economy Falls to 20-Year Low, Central Bank Study Finds: Malta’s shadow economy shrank to 15.3% of GDP in 2024, its lowest level in two decades, according to a Central Bank of Malta study. The underground economy has steadily declined from 22.8% in 2005, reflecting stronger tax enforcement, economic growth and wider use of technology, including AI tools to detect tax non-compliance. However, significant undeclared activity persists, particularly in self-employed and cash-intensive sectors. The report warns that informality continues to reduce government revenue and distort competition, while calling for simpler business procedures, stronger institutions and targeted measures to further encourage participation in the formal economy. (Maltatoday)
Cabinet’s First Decision Removes Wied Żrinġ Land from Development Zone: Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that the Cabinet’s first decision of the new legislature was to begin removing Wied Żrinġ in Bulebel from the development zone, safeguarding a significant area of agricultural land. Speaking after the Cabinet’s inaugural meeting at Auberge de Castille, Abela said the move reflects the government’s commitment to prioritising people and the environment. He thanked local farmers, the Wirt iż-Żejtun association and the Żejtun Local Council for their role in securing the outcome, with the process now set to formally exclude the farmland from future development. (TVM News)
Morning Briefing
Cassar handed further jail terms over pre-murder domestic violence incidents
Roderick Cassar, who is already serving a 40-year prison sentence for the murder of his wife, has been handed additional custodial sentences after being found guilty of separate domestic violence incidents that took place prior to her killing. The court sentenced Cassar to three months in prison for a 2022 incident on Mother’s Day, during which he held a knife to his wife’s throat during an argument at home. In a second case, he was given an eight-month sentence for another violent episode on 14 July 2022. That incident occurred while Cassar was in hospital, when his wife Bernice had brought their children to visit him. The situation escalated into an argument in which he threatened to kill her. The court heard both cases as part of a wider pattern of abusive behaviour leading up to the murder. The new sentences will run alongside his existing long-term imprisonment. (Times of Malta)
PM tells Cabinet all manifesto must be implemented
Prime Minister Robert Abela has told his newly appointed Cabinet that the government’s entire electoral manifesto must be delivered over the next five years, setting a firm tone for the start of the new legislature. Speaking at the first Cabinet meeting of the fifteenth legislature on Tuesday, Abela said the administration had been given what he described as an “ambitious mandate” and insisted that all 1,067 proposals in the Labour Party programme must be pursued. He urged ministers to remain focused, disciplined, and closely connected to public concerns, saying the government must continue to work “so that everything we pledged will be implemented.” Abela emphasised competence, credibility, and experience as the key attributes chosen by voters in the recent general election. The meeting marked the formal start of Cabinet work, following the appointment of 21 ministers and two parliamentary secretaries last week. (The Malta Independent)
Ex-police sergeant jailed over Marsa traffic extra-duty fraud scheme
A former police sergeant has been sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to repay €53,000 after being found guilty of fraud linked to an illegal extra-duty payment scheme connected to traffic management works at the Marsa flyovers. The court also ordered him to reimburse the police force and imposed additional financial penalties. The court heard that Norman Xuereb, 49, from Birkirkara, was involved in a system between 2018 and 2019 in which false declarations were made regarding traffic control duties commissioned by Infrastructure Malta. While public funds were paid for officers to manage traffic during major roadworks, investigations found that several duties were either not carried out or were falsely recorded. Evidence included mobile data and tracking systems showing discrepancies between reported duty locations and actual whereabouts of officers. Xuereb, who acted as liaison officer coordinating extra-duty assignments, admitted during interrogation that payments had been received despite work not always being carried out as claimed. The court described the offences as serious misuse of public funds, despite noting the accused had an unblemished disciplinary record. (Maltatoday)
