Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1512911
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 DECEMBER 2023 NEWS ASSET RECOVERY BUREAU M A L T A These are full-time posts on an indefinite basis and subject to a probationary period of one year. Further information and a comprehensive Job Description may be obtained from the ARB website on https://assetrecovery.mt/vacancies/ Qualifications and experience claimed must be supported by certificates and/or testimonials, scanned copies of which should be attached to the application. Original certificates to be presented upon interviews. Applications, together with a detailed curriculum vitae showing qualifications and experience and a valid Police Conduct Certificate will be received by email by not later than Friday 5 th January 2024 on recruitment.arb@assetrecovery.mt. We are Hiring Manager (ICT) Jobsplus Permit Number 489/2023 Bureau Officer II (Asset Management) Jobsplus Permit Number 871/2023 Bureau Officer II (Asset Research and Data Management) Jobsplus Permit Number 706/2022 Bureau Officer I (Asset Management) Jobsplus Permit Number 669/2023 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 But Nationalist MPs at the par- liamentary group meeting on Wednesday, who were granted anonymity to speak freely about internal matters, told MaltaTo- day the motion has raised con- cerns among several MPs. The objecting MPs fear the motion can backfire and put them in a bad light. MPs had already raised con- cerns that the motion was moved by PN leader Bernard Grech without consultation with the parliamentary group. A National Audit Office (NAO) report a fortnight ago showed that Cutajar's employment as a consultant for ITS was "illegiti- mate, in breach of regulations" and the contract's backdating "ir- regular". Subsequently, the PN an- nounced it plans to file a motion in parliament demanding that Cutajar return the money she was paid through the phantom job. In the parliamentary meeting, the two most vociferous ques- tioning the motion were MPs David Agius and Justin Schem- bri. The two MPs are employed with the government or govern- ment-owned entities. David Agius is currently em- ployed as HR manager at the Malta Freeport, while Justin Schembri holds the post of teach- er at the Examinations Depart- ment. Questions have been raised about the absence of MPs from their ordinary place of work with the public service despite being paid their full wages. "Rosianne Cutajar's situation may not compare with MPs having jobs within government entities, but yes, concerns were raised that the motion might end up backfiring, because of the fact that there has been an unwritten agreement between the two sides that we can be absent from our place of work," an MP present at the parliamentary group meeting told this newspaper. In the meeting former deputy leader Mario de Marco com- mented that MPs working in government departments should make sure they do not skive from work. An MP hit back at de Marco's comments, saying "God knows how many times" he received consultancy fees with Malta En- terprise under a Labour admin- istration "for doing next to noth- ing". Other MPs who spoke to this newspaper suggested pressure to file the motion came from the PN's MEPs in a bid to reel back candidate David Agius's Europe- an election campaigning "during work hours". Another concern raised was that the party was wasting its energy and resources on an MP who has already been ousted by the Prime Minister. Cutajar was forced to resign from the Labour Party earlier this year after WhatsApp exchanges from 2019 with murder suspect Yorgen Fenech were leaked to a blogger, who dumped them on- line. She resigned from the party but remained an independent MP. "Listen I am not here to ad- vocate for Rosianne Cutajar, I don't feel her place is in poli- tics, but there is a reality that we are directing our energy towards an independent MP. Robert Abela has already re- moved her from government's parliamentary group and has a way out for any criticism di- rected towards him or her," one of the PN MPs who disa- grees with the motion said. Others raised the issue that Rosianne Cutajar has become "an easy target", saying there are more pressing and recent issues which need to be addressed. "There is Charles Buhagiar's ap- pointment as Building and Con- struction Consultative Council chair for example. Why are we not filing a motion on that?" an- other Nationalist MP told this newspaper. The motion is unlikely to be de- bated anytime soon since it will have to be put on the agenda on the day reserved for Opposition motions. However, with the dis- quiet it has caused within the PN parliamentary group it will not come as a surprise if it gets put on the backburner. PN MPs fear motion calling for Rosianne Cutajar to return ITS money could 'backfire' on them The two most vociferous PN MPs questioning the motion are David Agius (left) and Justin Schembri (right)