Moviment Graffitti and a group of environmental and civil society organisations are demanding the immediate removal of Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg following the publication of his WhatsApp chats with businessman Yorgen Fenech.The chats were published by Times of Malta after being retrieved from Fenech’s phone following his 2019 arrest. They include conversations about development projects and potential business dealings while Buttigieg headed the Planning Authority. Fenech described Buttigieg as a friend during his recent trial, while Buttigieg has previously denied having personal dealings with Fenech or his companies.In a strongly worded statement, Graffitti and the organisations said Buttigieg should be “fired immediately”, while also calling for criminal charges relating to alleged corruption and illegitimate influence and for him to be permanently barred from holding public office.The groups allege the chats show Buttigieg colluding with Fenech over projects and business interests, describing their relationship as representative of a planning system they claim prioritises powerful developers over residents and the environment.They also criticised Prime Minister Robert Abela for reappointing Buttigieg to lead the PA in 2025, arguing that information about his relationship with Fenech had already emerged before his return.Rule of law NGO Repubblika has also joined calls for Buttigieg’s immediate removal, describing the published messages as “sickening” and arguing that they reveal an inappropriate level of familiarity between a businessman with major development interests and the person entrusted with running Malta’s planning regulator.Repubblika also turned its criticism towards Prime Minister Robert Abela, demanding a “full explanation” for his decision to reappoint Buttigieg despite information about his relationship with Fenech already being publicly known. The NGO also called for an effective criminal offence of abuse of public office to be introduced into Maltese law.“The clock is ticking,” the organisations warned, saying they would “fight back to defend their country” if Buttigieg is not removed.The statement was backed by BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Front Żgħażagħ għall-Ambjent, Għawdix, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta, Ramblers Association Malta and Wirt Għawdex.The allegations made by the organisations do not establish that Buttigieg committed a criminal offence.Do you agree with calls for Johann Buttigieg to be removed from the Planning Authority?•