This article was updated at 11:20am with additional information.

Moviment Graffitti and Friends of the Earth Malta have staged a direct action during a conference on Thursday (today), calling for the immediate removal of Planning Authority Executive Chairperson Johann Buttigieg.

The action took place during a conference titled 'Iċ-Ċittadin, l-Ambjent u l-Iżvilupp' (The Citizen, the Environment and Development) organised by the General Worker's Union (GWU). 

Activists took to the stage wearing paper pig masks, and these were removed after some in attendence accused them of hiding behind their masks.

The activists insisted that the matter was one of public interest and said they intended to remain on stage, even more so as they say they were invited and registered for the event.

Lately there has been increased scrutiny of Mr Buttigieg following the publication of private conversations between him and businessman and former Tumas Group CEO Yorgen Fenech. The conversations between Mr Buttigieg and Mr Fenech touched on a range of matters, including the prospects of certain planning applications being approved, lewd exchanges, and requests for personal favours by Mr Buttigieg relating to establishments linked to Mr Fenech.

Environmental and residents’ organisations have argued that the exchanges raise questions over the relationship between Malta’s planning regulator and private business interests, particularly given that a number of the conversations concerned development projects in which Mr Fenech had an interest.

Mr Buttigieg has previously denied having any personal business dealings with Mr Fenech or his companies.

A representative of Friends of the Earth Malta responded that the interests of citizens were more important than those of the people attending the conference.

The event’s organiser, Omar Vella, representing the GWU, was seen attempting to persuade the protesters to leave the stage, telling them that he had invested considerable time and money in organising the event.

He also said the protesters had disrupted a private initiative which had been months in the making and had involved efforts to bring participants together for the event.

Mr Vella has previously assisted a number of local companies and organisations with their marketing strategies, including the Malta Football Association, Famalco Group and Banju Boutique. His work has also included PR and communications for organisations including Palumbo Group, while he handles management and communications for the Association of Catering Establishments.

The controversy has particular relevance for Malta’s business and property sectors, given the Planning Authority’s central role in determining development applications and regulating investment in real estate, hospitality and other property-dependent industries.

Questions surrounding governance, conflicts of interest and consistency in planning decisions can consequently have implications for investor confidence and the perceived predictability of Malta’s regulatory environment.

Mr Buttigieg responds to journalists

Speaking to journalists from Times of Malta and MaltaToday following the action, Mr Buttigieg defended his position and said the allegations concerning him had been investigated by two entities, referring to the public inquiry and the Permanent Commission Against Corruption. He also pointed out that his appointment had been made by Government.

Asked how the public could continue to trust him, Mr Buttigieg said he does not take decisions on individual planning applications but makes recommendations.

When challenged over his conversations with Yorgen Fenech while heading the planning regulator, Mr Buttigieg said that speaking to developers formed part of his role, arguing that such discussions were intended to guide developers so that their projects complied with planning policies.

Journalists also questioned him over a message in which he had discussed going into business with Mr Fenech. Mr Buttigieg noted that the message had been sent around three weeks before the end of his term at the authority.

Pressed on whether he believed the public could trust him following the exchanges, he said that institutions existed to investigate such matters.

Asked whether, in hindsight, he considered the manner in which he had spoken with a businessman inappropriate while serving as CEO, Mr Buttigieg acknowledged that he would not communicate in the same way again.

He was also questioned about an exchange in which Mr Fenech had spoken about “stealing” something from developer Joseph Portelli. Mr Buttigieg said the word had not been used literally, but in the context of securing a good deal, describing it as terminology used among developers.