Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil today called on the President of the Republic to intervene in what he termed as a constitutional crisis and call on prime Minister Joseph Muscat to resign.
Dr Busuttil's call came during a speech in Valletta during a protest march against corruptions following revelations that the Prime Minister's wife Michelle is the ultimate beneficial owner of the company Egrant, which was opened in Panama. The PM is refusing the allegations. Egrant, together with two other companies owned by OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri and No Portfolio Minister Konrad Mizzi, has been at the centre of a political controversy ever since the Panama Papers were published last year.
Our country needs us, Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said at the start of his speech. Malta is under the spotlight because our Prime Minister is under investigation. In a normal country the PM would resign. The country is in a state of national emergency. Never in the history of our country was the person in the highest position of power under such a cloud of corruption. The damage to our country is incalculable, not only to the financial services sector, but also to the whole economy and the country’s reputation.
The sentiment today is one of anger and concern at our country’s future, Dr Busuttil said. The Prime Minister wants us to provide the proof. “Prime Minister, the proof is in your behaviour, not only from this week but since the moment you took the oath.”
Dr Busuttil said that soon after the oaths of office were administered, three secret companies were opened in Panama, with the help of Brian Tonna. A few weeks later the commissioner of police, who was known for being a serious policeman, was removed. Then, in December 2014 four people – the PM, Konrad Mizzi, Keith Schembri and Kurt Farrugia - went on a secret trip to Azerbaijan, the most corrupt country on earth, and signed a deal which cost the country €14 million.
In February 2016, journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia revealed that two of the companies belonged to Mizzi and Schembri, a claim that was confirmed by the Panama Papers. Our country’s reputation was dragged through the mud but Joseph Muscat not only failed to sack them, he supported them. By doing this he showed that he had found nothing wrong with what they did, Dr Busuttil said.
Then it emerged that Nexia had set up a British Virgin Islands company for one of the Chinese officials who was a key part of negotiations in the purchase by Shanghai Electric Power of the Delimara power station and a 33% stake in Enemalta.
Now it has been revealed that the third company, whose owner was kept secret, is the PM's wife Michelle Muscat. The PM first refused to order an inquiry with the excuse that he did not want to tarnish the financial services sector. “Have you not done that already?”
“We have a commissioner who refused to seal the bank, choosing instead to go to a fenkata. The PM has now appointed a sham inquiry, and he expects us to provide the proof. Prime Minister, this is why the proof is in your behaviour.”
The country is being sold for 30 pieces of silver and the people want to know who is betraying them. “Everyone’s fingers are pointed at Joseph Muscat.”
Accusing the PM of having used his family to win some sympathy, he said Dr Muscat was now also using God after having, this morning, sworn three times that he was saying the truth, Dr Busuttil said.
“In the national interest and for the good of the country and its people, go. Resign. Stop damaging this country," Dr Busuttil told the PM.
Dr Busuttil turned to the President of the Republic, a person who, he said, was known for her honesty, and said that while she does not have the power to remove the PM, she had the moral authority to call for his resignation.
He thanked Marlene Farrugia for having the courage to quit Labour at a time when it was easier to stay, for choosing the national interest. He turned to the PL parliamentary group and urged them to “remove him” before it is too late.
He also called on the social partners and the unions to stand up and be counted in these crucial times.
Thanking the independent media, Dr Busuttil urged it to keep uncovering the truth. “Keep doing what the police commissioner is incapable of doing.”
He reiterated his call for anyone with information to come forward, promising they would be protected and called on the Prime Minister to do the same.
The Opposition Leader also urged the police force to remove the commissioner and regain the trust of the people. He also called on the Attorney General, the Secret Service, the MFSA and the FIAU to “do what is right.”
This is not a PN demonstration, it is a national demonstration, he said, thanking Michael Briguglio for answering the call. “I am not asking you to become nationalists, but to be Maltese citizens, to walk behind the red and white flag, to do what is right for this country. Let us unite to remove the Prime Minister, who is refusing to leave. All of you here are standing up to be counted. You are giving and example and sending out a message – a message that not everyone is OK with secret Panamanian companies, that we do not want this dirt.”
Dr Busuttil said that, should the electorate trust him with the country’s leadership, he would clean up the political system once and for all. “I will order, right after taking the oath, an independent investigation into the enormous scandal we are witnessing today. I will ensure that those who are breaking the law are made to face justice.”
A national force is born today. A people’s force. I am sure that this will give the people a country that they truly deserve, Dr Busuttil said.
Police went to Pilatus Bank after evidence was removed - Marlene Farrugia
Speaking first, Partit Demokratiku leader Marlene Farrugia said that as the country had always united to fight off its enemies it should unite again today. She said the Labour government went back on its promises – its vision remained on paper. The people were only offered an illusion, through the government’s strong propaganda machine.
Those involved in the Panama Papers had intended to remain hidden and they were only uncovered by chance, because there was a massive data leak.
When the latest revelations came out, Joseph Muscat had the chance to exonerate himself. If he and his family were innocent he should have sent the police to Pilatus Bank so that the proof of innocence would be preserved. But the police only went to the bank when the evidence was removed and taken out of the country.
She referred to the blacked out documents the government had recently published, saying this was symptomatic of the government’s lack of transparency. “We are here today because we want a responsible government, one that distributes wealth in a just manner.”
Marlene Farrugia + Mike Briguglio from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.
“This is not the country we want to live in. We want a country where social justice reigns, where the environment is protected, where the economy is sustainable, not one where the national debt increased by €1 billion when not a single national project has been carried out.”
She thanked journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia for the work she has done and the sacrifice she is enduring.
She invited people to join forces in the next election so that the country will have a government that everyone deserves.
We want Joseph Muscat to resign - Briguglio
Michael Briguglio, a former Alternattiva Demokratika chairman who is now part of the Civil Society Network, said Malta had joined the EU, not Azerbaijan or Zimbabwe. He reached out to “genuine” Labourites, saying he understood why they were feeling hurt. “There are many like them who are scared to speak out in public but feel that the party they love has been taken over by a gang – a clique which today we are learning is criminal.”
The ongoing scandal, he said, did not start this week. It started soon after the election, when secret companies were opened. “In the internet age the proof is out there for all to see. If you want to see the proof just go on the internet.”
“The PM told us he had punished Konrad Mizzi. Does he think we are all idiots? You gave him a promotion and sent him to represent you abroad, where he is ridiculing us on a daily basis.”
Mr Briguglio said Malta has a police commissioner who is “made in Zimbabwe,” who refused to send officers to secure the Pilatus Bank.
The government then ordered a fake (fazulla) inquiry.
He said Malta was gripped by corruption which was eroding people’s trust in the authorities. “All of us present here today are saying: No to corruption. There are no colours here, we are all people of good will. This is a coalition for good governance.”
We want a clean country, a European country. We want Joseph Muscat to resign. People like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe refuse to resign. Most of all, we want Malta to be for all (Malta taghna lkoll) not for them only, Dr Briguglio said.
marlene farrugia at corruption protest from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.
The protest was called in the wake of allegations, by blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, that the third Panama company, Egrant, belongs to Michelle Muscat, the Prime Minister’s wife.
PN protest Castille Square from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.
Dr and Mrs Muscat vehemently deny the claims and have sued Caruana Galizia for libel.
Dr Busuttil this morning called on all people “of good will” to join behind the Maltese flag and show that they want to take their country back from a corrupt clique. He says the Prime Minister is under investigation – something that is unprecedented in Maltese history – and Joseph Muscat should step down and let someone from his party lead until the next general election.
Simon at Valletta Protest 23APR2017 from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.
The Prime Minister says the protest is being held about something that does not exist. He has repeatedly asked Dr Busuttil to present proof to back up the allegations.
Partit Demokratiku leader Marlene Farrugia and former AD chairman Michael Briguglio will also be addressing the crowds in Valletta this afternoon.
The protest will start as a march from the Auberge de Castille to St George’s Square, where the speeches will take place.
Photos and video: Michael Camilleri and Joanna Demarco