Updated: Government suspends car parks privatisation

The government has told Transport Malta to suspend its plans to privatise 32 car parks all over Malta. In a statement, the government said it had noted the declarations by the Opposition which, it said, agreed with the process in principle but had reservations on the details. Transport Malta was therefore being directed to discuss those reservations with the Opposition. The government said the call for tenders had been based on the call made by the Labour-controlled Hamrun Council for the operation of the car park in that locality. TM was also asked to keep the UHM informed, since the UHM represents the car parks. Earlier today, David Agius, the whip of the Nationalist parliamentary group, said this morning that the Cabinet should reconsider its plans to privatise 32 car parks all over Malta. Speaking in TV interviews, Mr Agius said there had been a negative reaction from the public, particularly in Mosta and Rabat - which are districts which he will contest. Nationalist MP Franco Debono said over the weekend that he would back an Opposition motion meant to stop the privatisation process.