Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/183948
5 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2013 Energy minister claims criticism of wife's appointment 'a diversion' Sai Mizzi Liang earning basic €33,000 a year for her Shanghai posting, excluding allowances MIRIAM DALLI Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi has denied that his wife Sai Mizzi Liang, who was appointed as an investment promotion envoy based in Shanghai, will be earning close to €100,000 a year. Mizzi yesterday said that his wife had been engaged on a Scale 3 salary, the same paid to diplomats stationed overseas, which amounts to €33,000 without allowances. The allowances vary according to the country post. "To say she earns €2,000 a week is a very unfair assumption," Mizzi said, after Opposition leader Simon Busuttil yesterday flagged the appointment of the minister's wife as a Malta Enterprise envoy. Mizzi said he had repeatedly stated his wife's work would not intersect with his own, something that Busuttil yesterday said did not make sense, given that the government was now actively pursuing energy opportunities with China and other Asian countries. "Traditionally Malta Enterprise doesn't focus on energy, and we have already attracted substantial investment in this sector. There are many other sectors on which to focus," Mizzi said. Mizzi is claiming a Nationalist Party official "warned [him] over an attack to divert public atten- tion" from Labour's plan to convert the Delimara power station to gas. The party's official line is that criticism of the impolitic appointment of Sai Mizzi Liang as an envoy is intended to divert the public's attention on the gas plant project that Konrad Mizzi is piloting. Mizzi is facing calls for his resignation by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil. "These attacks on me and my family do nothing more than strengthen my resolve to deliver on energy plans and targets. We are on track to reduce the utility bills, we are securing deals with strategic partners, and we are offering cheaper fuel and LPG prices to our families. This is what matters to me," Mizzi said during a press briefing. The energy minister reiterated that he had nothing to do with the appointment and in no way did he exert any pressure for such an appointment. "I only discussed the issue with the prime minister in recent days... With the prime minister I discuss issues of delivery," Mizzi said. "This is an appointment carried out by Malta Enterprise and I have nothing to do with it. I am only accountable for my performance." The price of LPG yesterday increased to €18.30 for a 12kg cylinder, but is locked for the next three Konrad Mizzi and Sai Mizzi Liang Mizzi is claiming a Nationalist Party official "warned [him] over an attack to divert public attention" from Labour's plan to convert the Delimara power station to gas months. While traditional figures show a monthly increase in prices during the winter months, due to increased demand, the peak price would usually hit in December. But through an agreement with Liqui- gas, the island's dominant market operator, the prices will remain unchanged for December 2013. The Malta Resources Authority is now analysing the possibility of locking the price of LPG for a longer term, and studies are underway to determine a regulatory price regime. mdalli@mediatoday.com.mt '12 joints a day': accused lies under oath about buying 250 grams of pot, strains credibility over personal use THE court could not believe the evidence given by Nicolas Gauci against Ray Tabone, as a previous court had already thrown out his version of events and found him guilty as charged, Tabone's defence counsel told Magistrate Edwina Grima. The court heard the final submissions in the case of Raymond Tabone of Rabat, who stands charged with drug trafficking in Lija six years ago. The defence argued that Gauci, when acting as a witness, had panicked and changed his evidence. When a previous court had questioned him, Gauci changed the amount of money he claimed to have paid for drugs, lying about the sum as he succumbed to the pressures of questioning. Gauci also claimed to have purchased the drugs found in his vehicle from the accused, with whom he was not well acquainted. "I met Tabone at a BBQ and managed to gain his trust. He agreed to sell me 250 grams of cannabis resin for around €355 on indefinite credit terms," Gauci told the court. He reiterated that he did not know Tabone previous to the BBQ, yet his phone contained photos of the two together dated well before the BBQ took place. "How can an unknown person gain the trust of a drug trafficker by meeting him once and manage to convince him to allow him indefi- nite credit terms?" defense counsel Michael Sciriha asked. Furthermore, according to the defense, the prosecution had not proven Tabone's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. "The prosecution failed to prove Tabone had the intent to traffic drugs, and the court cannot believe the evidence of a convicted trafficker who lied under oath." The court must place any doubt in favour of the accused, Sciriha insisted, continuing that circumstantial evidence is at times considered to be the best evidence, and in this case it exonerated the accused. The case dates back to June 2007. After days of observation, the police moved in on two vehicles suspected of trafficking drugs in Lija. At around 7.30pm, a white Pajero four-wheeler pulled up next to a white Honda Civic and a suspicious exchange took place. The police followed both cars and stopped the Honda in Mtarfa. Nicolas Gauci, 31, was behind the wheel. The police found 250 grams of cannabis resin inside his Honda. Moments later, the police also stopped the Pajero. Raymond Tabone and another man were arrested and held for questioning. All three men hail from Rabat. The three were subsequently arraigned in court. Gauci, who formerly worked as a security guard, claimed the drug was for his own personal use and that he smoked about 12 joints a day. Magistrate Marseann Farrugia threw out Gauci's plea, saying it did not make sense": "You could make hundreds of joints using 250 grams, and where would you find the time to smoke all that, given your fulltime job?" she asked. Gauchi was found guilty of drug trafficking, jailed for a year and fined €1,500 for possession of the drug – denoting it was not for his exclusive use. Gauci agreed to testify against Tabone in exchange for a reduction in his punishment. While the third man pleaded guilty to simple possession, Tabone pleaded not guilty to all charges and stated that he had never sold or given anything to Gauci. The case awaits a verdict. Defence lawyers Lucio Sciriha and Michael Sciriha appeared for the accused. Magistrate Edwina Grima presided.