Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1532882
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 MARCH 2025 4 INTERVIEW Johann Buttigieg: 'Issuing permits helps keep property prices in check' Johann Buttigieg's reappointment as Planning Authority CEO was met with enthusiasm from developers but anger and derision from environmentalists. The latter argue he is too close to the developers' lobby but true to his char- acter, the thick-skinned Buttigieg is not offended by the sharp criticism. He calmly notes that "it's their perception, not mine". He adds that in the private sector, he represented both developers and objectors, including local councils. Though Michael Stivala, a major de- veloper who also heads the Malta De- velopment Association, was a main client for a time, Buttigieg insists he wasn't tied exclusively to any develop- er. Unfazed by concerns over revolving doors, Buttigieg points to his two-year stint at the Malta Tourism Authority as a buffer between his public and pri- vate roles in the planning sector. He stresses that revolving door rules apply when leaving public service, not before. Upon completing his term, he plans to follow the law by taking a year away from planning – either in anoth- er government position or working in a different private sector – before con- sidering private consultancy in plan- ning again. On conflicts of interest, particular- ly regarding Stivala's projects, he re- sponds: "If I had advised on a project, I'd declare a conflict and step back." He adds that he has already recused him- self from board meetings on three or four occasions for this reason. But crucially, Buttigieg sees no con- flict of interest with regards to future projects presented by Stivala on which he did not give advise during his stint in the private sector. Now, keen on projecting himself as a doer and a fixer, he is focused on tack- ling the backlog of applications and implementing a key government com- mitment – suspending work on ap- proved permits that are under appeal. Johann Buttigieg is back in the driving seat at the Planning Authority after a five-year hiatus, three of which were spent consulting major developers like Michael Stivala. The PA CEO talks to James Debono about his second coming. My wage reflects my hours and responsibility – this is one of the country's most important institutions... Employees can confirm that I start at 8am and rarely leave before 8pm.