The government said it will be suing the Nationalist Party for libel following “dirty allegations” made at a press conference this morning.
In a statement, the government said the Opposition is trying to deprive Malta of the biggest investment that has ever been made in the energy sector via “untrue and dirty allegations”.
The Opposition is doing this because it is unhappy that Enemalta Corporation is back on its feet, that the power station will operate on gas and that Maltese consumers are paying less for energy.
The PN is relying on lies that were circulated to denigrate the government and the reputation of individuals with the aim of creating problems for the government.
The government said it will be taking all necessary steps to stop the Opposition from causing damage to Malta. Libel suits will be filed against the PN, the government said.
In a separate statement, No-Portfolio Minister Konrad Mizzi also said he will file libel proceedings against the Nationalist Party.
The statements made this morning by the Nationalist Party representatives are outrageous, he said. The Nationalist Party is alleging corruption with respect to the largest foreign investment of 320 million Euros, which has significantly contributed to Enemalta's turnaround and Malta's economic success. This is an outright lie.
Minister Mizzi will be immediately filing libel proceedings against Dr Simon Busuttil as the leader of the Nationalist Party, Dr Jason Azzopardi and Ms Marthese Portelli, the statement said.
Through the investment in a corporation, which a former Nationalist Minister valued at one euro, Government has rescued Enemalta, reduced its debt by half and launched an investment programme in power distribution. Tariffs have also been reduced by 80 million Euros, credit rating has been upgraded and the Marsa Power Station has been closed down.
The only corruption relating to Enemalta is the oil scandal which occurred under the previous administration, which persisted with the use of oil. Notwithstanding clear recommendations to shift from oil to gas the Nationalist administration invested in a new oil fired plant.
Government will continue to work to deliver more results, he said.
In yet another statement, also issued via the Department of Information, Keith Schembri said he would be filing a libel suit against the Nationalist Party.
"Following today's entirely false and malicious statements issued by the Nationalist Party which have stated that in my capacity as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister have in any shape or form personally benefited from the Shanghai Electric investment in Enemalta, I shall be filing libel proceedings. Today the Nationalist Party has crossed the line of all decency falling well short of the responsibilities expected from a serious Opposition party in a modern democracy. Simon Busuttil is desperately attacking all investments that this Government has brought for the benefit of all. However, this Government shall remain steadfast in its mission of changing Malta for the better, for the benefit of all," he said.