The government should "urgently reconsider" the appointment of Jason Micallef as chair of the Valletta Cultural Agency, PEN international is insisting.
In a tweet, the international writer's association said that it was "dismayed" by the appointment, "despite an obvious conflict of interest".
"The Maltese government must urgently reconsider this promotion and hold him accountable for his vilification of #DaphneCaruanaGalizia," the organisation said.
The Times of Malta reported last week that a special clause in a new law setting up the Agency will allow the former Valletta 2018 chief to be appointed chairman, despite Mr Micallef also being at the helm of Labour Party media house ONE.
The Valletta Cultural Agency was set up last month with the aim of continuing the legacy of the Valletta 2018 Foundation in the capital and to lay the groundwork for Malta’s next European Capital of Culture stint in 2031.
We are dismayed by Jason Micallef’s appointment as chair of Valletta Cultural Agency despite an obvious conflict of interest. @MaltaGov must urgently reconsider this promotion and hold him accountable for his vilification of #DaphneCaruanaGalizia.https://t.co/xOVfifcFMz
— PEN International (@pen_int) April 9, 2019
This is not the first time that the international association has complained to the government about Mr Micallef, most notably following controversial comments he made related to the murdered Ms Caruana Galizia.
Last year, Mr Micallef had sparked anger among several local and international artists after uploading a social media post mimicking the slain journalist's last words.