The Foreign Affairs Minister believes Malta needs “tens of people” like Sai Mizzi Liang, a Malta Enterprise envoy to China, if the island wants to do a proper job and attract investment. Defending the government’s decision to handpick the wife of Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi, George Vella insisted Malta’s Ambassador to China was Clifford Borg Marks and not Ms Mizzi Liang, after the Prime Minister said she was given the same conditions as former ambassadors.
Dr Vella compared the role of Ms Mizzi Liang to that of a consul, which Malta already had in other countries.
“There is no duplication. Sai Mizzi will be working from Shanghai, which is miles away from Beijing [where Mr Borg Marks is accredited],” he told Times of Malta.
“It is good to have more people in China due to its large territory. I believe we need tens of people like Sai Mizzi to do a proper job and attract invest-ment to Malta.”
However, Dr Vella stopped short of entering into the controversy over Ms Mizzi Liang’s €160,000 financial package, as this was something “the Prime Minister has already spoken about”.
Last Monday, following intense pressure by the media and the Opposition, the Prime Minister tabled Ms Mizzi Liang’s Malta Enterprise contract in Parliament, together with contracts of previous Maltese ambassadors to China.
According to her contract Ms Mizzi Liang has to work from Shanghai, but she is still working from Beijing and her office address has not yet been divulged by the government.
Dr Vella cited Germany as a place where Malta already had various consuls, although he admitted these were only appointed on an honorary basis. This meant none of them received any remuneration from Maltese coffers for their consular services.
Ministry sources yesterday confirmed that the ministry was never consulted about the appointment of Ms Mizzi Liang as special envoy to China and that her position did not fall within the remit of the diplomatic corps controlled by the minister.
Despite receiving a financial package similar to that of an ambassador – the highest provided in the civil service for Maltese overseas representatives – Ms Mizzi Liang is only answerable to Malta Enterprise.
There is no duplication. Sai Mizzi will be working from Shanghai, which is miles away from Beijing
Questions sent to the Prime Minister’s spokesman yesterday for details on Ms Mizzi Liang’s political appointment and on who decided to peg her contract to that of a fully-fledged ambassador remained unanswered.
Ms Mizzi Liang was handpicked for the post by Malta Enterprise chair-man Mario Vella and no call for applications was issued.
The minister responsible for the agency, Chris Cardona, had also admitted that he “had no idea” about the appointment of the minister’s wife.
The State agency justified its actions by declaring that it chose the minister’s wife on the basis of a “position of trust”.
Timeline
2013
Aug 26 – Sai Mizzi Liang signs contract with Malta Enterprise.
Sept 17 – Times of Malta reveals appointment of Ms Mizzi Liang by Malta Enterprise – the State agency does not reply to questions.
Sept 24 – Malta Enterprise Minister Chris Cardona (pictured) says he had “no idea” about Ms Mizzi Liang’s recruitment.
Sept 25 – Ms Mizzi Liang’s husband, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi, claims he had nothing to do with his wife’s contract.
Sept 26 – Times of Malta reveals that the Malta Enterprise board was not informed of Mrs Mizzi’s recruitment.
Sept 29 – Malta Enterprise admits for the first time that the minister’s wife was given a political appointment and reveals she will be paid as much as an ambassador. It declines to give details of her financial package.
Sept 29 – The Nationalist Party describes Ms Mizzi Liang’s political appointment as the height of nepotism.
Oct 1 – PN tables parliamentary motion on ethical standards.
Oct 2 – Minister Konrad Mizzi says he never discussed his wife’s political appointment with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
Oct 2 – Prime Minister defends appointment of minister’s wife – says he was sure she will get results.
Oct 5 – PN calls for publication of Ms Mizzi Liang’s contract – the government declines.
Oct 6 – Parliamentary questions submitted in Parliament on Ms Mizzi Liang’s recruitment and her financial package.
Oct 29 – Minister Chris Cardona tells Parliament Ms Mizzi Liang was still without a Chinese office and declines to give her office’s address.
Nov 12 – The Opposition leader again calls for details of Ms Mizzi Liang’s contract during the Budget speech.
Dec 11 – Minister Chris Cardona refuses to publish contract in Parliament claiming “confidentiality”.
2014
July 10 – Ms Mizzi Liang breaks silence during PM’s trip to China and says she only earns some €3,000 a month and that she has “best qualities for the job”.
July 13 – Prime Minister admits Ms Mizzi Liang’s recruitment was not well handled – PN once again calls for publication of contract.
July 14 – Government finally publishes contract – reveals Ms Mizzi Liang is receiving €77,000 in annual direct income, together with a raft of allowances including fully paid residence in Beijing, car and fuel, mobile telephone, health and educational services, including for members of her family.