Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil insisted this morning that the PN would not allow the government to mess with democracy and tamper with the elections.

He was referring to a news story, published in The Malta Independent on Sunday, which reported how Identity Malta is facing an internal collapse of the ID cards system. “The newspaper said that from a sample of just 300 people, more than a quarter had more than one ID card. This does not only shock and anger us, but it also strengthens our determination to fight against the corruption of this government which is willing to meddle in the thing that is dearest to us – democracy,” he said, while addressing the party faithful in Mellieha. “We will not allow you to meddle in the election. We will stop you.”

Dr Busuttil said one of the pledges the PN was making was to clean up the institutions. “People expect the institutions to be there for them, not to cover for the government’s scandals.” He spoke on the crisis currently gripping the Broadcasting Authority, which is tasked with ensuring impartiality in national broadcasting. “How can we trust you if you are Joseph Muscat’s person of trust,” he asked, with reference to BA chairperson Tanya Borg Cardona. “You either have his trust, or the people’s. You have to make a choice. I promise that under a PN government the authorities will be there for you, not for politicians.”

Dr Busuttil made a number of pledges, including bringing the PN close to the people.  “We have to listen to what people are saying for we are in politics for them, not for our own gain. People want us to be close to them. The PN had become detached but this is a defect I want to eradicate, I want the PN to be the people’s party.” He also promised that a PN government would rectify injustices. “We will do justice by those who are being humiliated and denigrated by this government, simply because they do not agree with it.”

People, he said, also expected the fair distribution of wealth. Dr Busuttil said almost half the population, which included some 90,000 pensioners, earned less than €11,000 a year. “They earn in a year less than the PM spend on a six-day holiday in Dubai, certainly less than what Sai Mizzi earns in month.” He promised that a PN government would respect the concept of equal pay for equal work. He also promised that medicines that are not given for free by the state would be given for free to the elderly.

He then turned to the issue of security. “People also want peace of mind and security. They do not want to live in fear of car bombs, in a country where no one ever gets caught.” He accused the PM of defending drug traffickers, instead of victims, when referring to the Gozo drug story.

“Two traffickers were caught and, instead of going to court, they got off after two ministers interfered with the investigation. Joseph Muscat had a clear choice before him; the traffickers on one side and the victims on the other, and he decided to defend the traffickers. Between votes and our children, Joseph Muscat chose votes. But we will not do that. We would choose our children.” Dr Busuttil told parents “we are on your side. We will put up a serious fight against drugs.”

He insisted that it did not take a rocket scientist to find out who the two ministers were,  and the PM should name them and take action. “I would have summoned all my ministers there and then, asked them who was in Gozo on the day and, if the explanation given is not satisfactory, taken immediate steps.”

Dr Busuttil also insisted that the PN would make people feel proud of their country and their government once again. “Under this government people have become ashamed of politicians, he said, referring to the Panama Papers scandal. “In any other civilized country Konrad Mizzi, Keith Schembri and the Prime Minister would have resigned. But they are all still there. No wonder that people feel ashamed.”

Earlier during the event Gozitan MP Frederick Azzopardi said he has changed his mind and will be contesting the next general election. He said it was his duty, seeing that his health permitted it, to be part of the battle against corruption. 

 

PL reaction

Reacting, the Labour Party said the PN event was held close to a hotel from which he demanded an illegal donation but had not spoken a word about the subject.

“Now that it has emerged that the PN invoiced a second company that does not advertise, Simon Busuttil has lost all credibility.”

The PL said it was also unbelievable how Dr Busuttil had referred to economic growth as “bluff and theatrics.” It said the PN leader could not be believed on anything. “He said he was in nobody’s pocket but went asking for donations, said the money was paid for advertising but not a single advert was produced, and said he did not want dirty money, but will not return it. Simon Busuttil is fake. He preaches good governance but practices illegalities.”

 

OPM reaction

In another statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said Dr Busuttil was repeating a lie and implicating the PM in a case that was still under investigation. 

It said Dr Busuttil’s only weapon was to lie blatantly and throw mud in the hopes that it would stick.

The OPM said it would not fall for his provocations.

The investigation into the Gozo case was a series and independent one, it said, accusing Dr Busuttil of trying to be ‘judge and jury.’