Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541798
5 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 5 DECEMBER 2025 NEWS PN wants Roderick Galdes to resign after Malita, penthouse scandals OPPOSITION leader Alex Borg has called for the immedi- ate resignation of Housing Min- ister Roderick Galdes, arguing that a series of controversies surrounding the minister has undermined public trust and raised serious questions about his conduct in office. Speaking during a press con- ference on Wednesday, Borg said that recent allegations, ranging from suspected politi- cal interference to questionable property dealings, had created a crisis of credibility for the ministry responsible for hous- ing. If Galdes refuses to step aside, Borg said, Prime Minister Rob- ert Abela must intervene and remove him until these matters are fully clarified. The calls for resignation fol- low accusations made by for- mer Malita Investments chair and former Labour MEP Mar- lene Mizzi, who publicly al- leged that Galdes attempted to meddle in the internal op- erations of Malita, a govern- ment-listed company tasked with major social housing and public infrastructure projects. Mizzi claimed that the minis- ter frequently sought to involve himself in the company's deci- sions and maintained unusual- ly close relationships with con- tractors engaged by Malita. Her successor, Johan Farrugia, tendered his resignation shortly after Mizzi's statements. Borg questioned the circumstances surrounding Farrugia's sudden departure, insisting that the government had offered no ex- planation and that the public deserved answers. Adding to the controversy are reports concerning Galdes' purchase of a duplex pent- house in Gozo earlier this year. The minister is said to have ac- quired the property at a price significantly below typical mar- ket value at a time when the same developers were negoti- ating large-scale leasing agree- ments with the Housing Au- thority for over 100 apartments intended for social housing. Borg described the situation as a blatant conflict of interest that the public cannot ignore. He also dismissed Abela's de- fence of Galdes, stating that or- dinary citizens are well aware of current property prices and would find it implausible to purchase similar properties at the price reportedly paid by the minister. Opposition leader Alex Borg said Housing Minister Roderick Galdes ignored a blatant conflict of interest (Photo: Nationalist Party) THE Food and Safety Authority (FSA) has issued a warning re- garding Pistachio Raw stocked at Daily Fresh in Xewkija, Gozo, due to high levels of aflatoxins. In line with the Food Safety Act and Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the FSA alert- ed the public after receiving in- formation from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. The authority stressed that the prod- uct must not be consumed. Aflatoxins are produ The Food and Safety Authority (FSA) has issued a warning regarding Pista- chio Raw stocked at Daily Fresh in Xewkija, Gozo ced primarily by two species of the Aspergillus fun- gus, commonly found in hot, hu- mid climates. Contamination can occur both before and after har- vest, influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, soil, and storage conditions. Consumption of aflatoxins can cause a range of adverse health effects in humans. The affected product is labelled as: • Name: Pistachio Raw • Weight: 300g and 500g • Best Before: 12.10.2027 • Brand: Daily Fresh • Packed by: Daily Fresh, Gozo • Origin: Iran Consumers are advised not to eat the product and either dispose of it or return it to the store where it was purchased. For further information, the public can contact the Food Safety and Security Authority between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. via telephone at +356 26025211 or email at info.fssa@gov.mt. Food and Safety Authority warns against pistachios sold in Xewkija FSA has issued a warning regarding Pistachio Raw stocked at Daily Fresh in Xewkija, Gozo The warning is regarding Pistachio Raw stocked at Daily Fresh in Xewkija, Gozo