Reply: The House will recall that in October 2024 during the electoral campaign, a series of messages were broadcast on social media and elsewhere by “Mr Moustass”. These messages include, inter alia, conversation between officials occupying important positions in Government, the legal profession and also the relatives of prominent politicians at the helm of power. These messages clearly indicate the sinister forces at work to undermine the functioning of our institutions, and were clearly indicative of a government engaged in a broader scheme of “State Capture”. Messages aired on social media and other online platforms were of a highly prejudicial nature, a threat to national unity and the security of the State. One particularly nefarious message was so blasphemous that the head of the Catholic Church had to send a powerful message to the then Prime Minister for immediate action against the authors of the message. In the light of the national outcry against the despicable purveyors of hatred, the former Government had, at its meeting held on 25 October 2024, agreed to set up, in accordance with the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into and report on a matter of public interest, namely, alleged misuse of telecommunications infrastructure and publication and broadcast of alleged telephone conversations on social media and other platforms. The decision by the MSM government to set up a commission of inquiry, was hastily taken once its secret had been discovered. It is obvious that it was a political ploy to attenuate the wrath of the nation when they heard these unbelievable conversations. The Commission of Inquiry announced by the then Prime Minister was never set up. It never saw the day – even its terms of reference were never finalised. I can assure the hon. Member, my Government is conducting a thorough inquiry into this issue. This Government will seek out the truth and those who have committed criminal

136 acts or conspired with others – will have to bear the full force of the law. We need to make an example of them and we have a mandate to do this. My Government is conducting a thorough inquiry into this issue and my Government will not be deflected. MOUSTASS LEAKS – PHONE TAPPING – SECURITY MEASURES