Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541608
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 26 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt NICOLE MEILAK nmeilak@mediatoday.com.mt Marlene Mizzi: I was removed from Malita after calling out minister's hobnobbing with contractors FORMER Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi has claimed that her 2024 removal from the chairmanship of Malita Investments plc came shortly after she objected to ministerial interference in the state-owned company's opera- tions. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Mizzi said she felt compelled to respond after the The Shift News repeatedly referred to her "removal" by Housing Minister Roderick Galdes, in coverage related to ongoing controversies surrounding Malita. Mizzi stressed that she has "nothing to do" with the latest developments but said the re- porting risked casting aspersions on her professional reputation. She said that during her ten- ure, Malita plc was "financial- ly healthy" and adhered to the "highest standards of corporate governance". Malita plc is a publicly listed company that manages major government property projects Mizzi said her dismissal in May 2024 came "a few weeks after a meeting" at Galdes's office dur- ing which she challenged what she described as his "interfer- ence in the workings of a plc" and his close contact with con- tractors engaged by the compa- ny. "I stood up to him," she said. "Evidently he was not amused." She added that she now con- siders it "an honour" to have been removed by the minister, saying the episode forms part of "history in the making". Marlene Mizzi said she considers it 'an honour' to have been removed by Housing Minister Roderick Galdes (inset) Malita Investments executive chair tenders resignation THE executive chair of Malita Investments plc, Johan Farru- gia has handed in his resigna- tion. Malita is a publicly listed company that manages ma- jor government property pro- jects, and falls under the remit of Housing Minister Roderick Galdes. According to the Times of Malta, it is not yet known whether Farrugia's resignation was accepted by Galdes, as he is believed to have resigned on Monday. Farrugia was ap- pointed executive chair last April. Earlier this month, Malita ad- mitted that it is facing "certain liquidity constraints," after it came under fire over the sus- pension of works at a social housing site in Ħal Farruġ. "The Board has commenced discussions with key stake- holders, including the Hous- ing Authority and relevant government entities, regard- ing the future direction of the Affordable Housing Project. These discussions are ongo- ing and no decisions have been finalised," the company had stated. On Tuesday, in response to coverage surrounding Malita, former Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi publicly stated that her removal as Malita's chairper- son in 2024 came shortly after an argument with Galdes. Mizzi said that she was re- moved from her position a few weeks after a meeting at Galdes's office during which she challenged what she de- scribed as his "interference in the workings of a plc" and his close contact with contractors engaged by the company. Government owns 82% of Malita Investments, and the company has recently been the subject of criticism after a number of contractors pur- sued legal action to make Mal- ita pay its dues. Earlier this month, Malita admitted that it is facing 'liquidity constraints,' after it came under fire over the suspension of works at a social housing site in Ħal Farruġ Johan Farrugia