Opposition leader Simon Busuttil today insisted that all religions should be protected from vilifications, not just the Catholic Church.

Replying to questions by The Malta Independent’s Content Director Pierre Portelli, Dr Busuttil said he does not agree with removing the current vilification laws, and instead all religions should be protected equally from vilification.

“My worry about this law is not so much about religion, the Archbishop and Church can defend itself. My worry is that if the law is removed, it will create a threat to public security. The law was introduced for public order reasons not because of religion.”

The Prime Minister proposals can lead to “hotheads” vilifying religion for the sake of provocation, Dr Busuttil warned.

“This can lead to violence,” Dr Busuttil warned.

Dr Busuttil pointed out that while freedom of speech means that people are free to insult religions, vilification is a whole different matter.

“You have the right to freedom of speech, but you should not have the right to vilify religion. The Prime Minister should have left the law in place, but protected all religions not just the Catholic religion. No religion should be vilified, the Prime Minister should protect all religions.

“The Catholic Church is more protected than other religions. If you really accept all faiths, everyone should be protected in the same way.  The Catholic religion has an advantage.  Protection should be in place for all, for all religions in order to prevent any threats to public order.”

Dr Busuttil confirmed that the Nationalist Party will be opposing the removal of the vilification law in Parliament. 

Turning over a fresh page

Asked what the Nationalist Party is doing to start a fresh page and regenerate itself, Dr Busuttil replied that a lot of progress has already been made.

“I am a new beginning for the PN. I know the PN’s history, I respect it. I know we have done a lot of good and have a lot to be proud of. I also know we have made mistakes, and we need to learn from these mistakes.”

“Now we have a strong Opposition, we have to move on to becoming an alternative government. Proposals have already been made by the PN, last year during the budget speech I suggested paying transport fees for independent schools and church schools. This would lessen traffic pressure during peak hours.

“This proposal was ignored by the government. After a year, after the traffic situation has gotten worse, they have come up with new proposals. One of them is the proposal I made during last year’s budget. For good ideas, the government does not turn to Transport Minister Joe Mizzi, it turns to the Opposition.”

Labour and the economy

On the government management of the economy, Dr Busuttil said that the economy has continued to grow, which is positive, yet the government is failing to create new niches.

“All they have come up with is selling passports,” Dr Busuttil quipped.

Dr Busuttil said the rampant corruption and misuse of public funds serves as an additional tax on people, and will eventually blow up in the Prime Minister’s face.

“People are worried about the corruption problem in the country. To remember such levels of corruption you need to look back at the Mintoff and Lorry Sant governments, Dr Muscat should be ashamed.

“I suspect they were already selling their principles from before the election.  I am in politics to clean it up not to smear it.”

Questioned about the PN’s stance on privatisation, Dr Busuttil replied that while the Party favours it, certain sensitive services such as electricity provision and health care should remain under state control.

He defended claims made prior to the election that the Labour Party’s proposal to reduce energy tariffs by 25 per cent was the “gimmick of the millennium.”

Dr Busuttil pointed out that while energy tariffs have been reduced by 25 per cent, international oil prices have fallen by 66 per cent.

He said the interconnector and BWSC plant have all proven to be good investments by the previous government.

“The nation-wide power cuts in August showed the country was depending on the interconnector because electricity can be bought much cheaper than it can locally. This raises the question why a power station has to be built. This is because the Prime Minister would have to resign if it was not built. It is not being built because we need it.”