Labour deputy leader Toni Abela has been appointed as one of the members of the board of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

Dr Abela confirmed the appointment when contacted yesterday, saying he had expressed a wish to sit on the board because of his passion for classical music.

“I am making a contribution. There were two vacancies and I expressed my interest in the post.

“I’m not doing it for the money, because we only get €200 every three months, but because of my passion for classical music. The history of the philharmonic orchestra fascinates me,” he said.

His appointment was announced in the Government Gazette. He was appointed by Culture Minister Owen Bonnici.

The board’s chairman, former Labour general election candidate and maestro Sigmund Mifsud, was confirmed in his post.

The deputy chairwoman is Ruth Vella Micallef, Labour’s One TV broadcasting executive.

I’m not doing it for the money, because we only get €200 every three months

Other members on the board are: lawyer Mark Attard Montalto, Rita Cutajar, Alexei Galea Cavalazzi and Maestro Joseph Debrincat, who was then substituted by Marthese Azzopardi.

Dr Abela said being on a board was “a sacrifice”, because sometimes he had to close his office earlier than usual to attend board meetings.

“I feel I have something to contribute,” he said, as he questioned why his appointment merited a newspaper story.

After the general election, the PL deputy leader, a lawyer by profession, was engaged as personal adviser to the Prime Minister as his consultant on legal and political affairs.

Dr Abela receives no remuneration, but was provided with an internet and phone service.

He is, however, getting paid €17,500 a year for consultancy work for the Ministry of the Family and Social Solidarity.