The Democratic Party is requesting a ministerial statement on Malta’s security to clarify any threats which were being addressed or ignored.

In a statement on Wednesday, PD noted that the US on Monday unveiled criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a senior executive, accused of misleading banks about the company’s business and violating US sanctions.

The company has been blacklisted on allegations of corruption and espionage in many parts of the world.

PD said 5G mobile connectivity was introduced in Malta in October, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Huawei and the government, with the aim to motivate research and development in the sector.

"Is our security, and that of Europe, under threat, considering that this global technology powerhouse has been repeatedly caught out as having different intentions from its stated objectives? Does Malta have the means to check on this and keep Huawei in check," MEP candidate Martin Cauchi Inglott asked.

MP Marlene Farrugia added:"We had everything going well for us in this sector, having sailed through two financial crises. Why have we been pushed by our government into business entanglements with companies which other Western countries are expelling for security reasons? Our government has sold us lock, stock and barrel in the name of its shady crony deals." 

PD said it was concerned because the security and interests of the Maltese people were not being guarded. Moreover, Transparency International downgraded Malta to its lowest level ever on the Corruption Perception index.

The party said it recently tabled in parliament two Private Members’ Bills, one proposing scrutiny of the Malta Financial Services Authority, eGaming and the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, and the other to combat international organised crime in Maltese waters.