Speaking at Attard, the leader of the Nationalist Party, Simon Busuttil, urged the police to take steps to protect the whistleblower who has come forward with evidence on the Pilatus Bank along with her family.
He then warned Prime Minister Muscat that if anything were to happen to this person, he will hold Dr Muscat personally responsible.
Dr Busuttil said that when he was in Brussels on Saturday for the EPP pre-summit meeting, he was asked by many about what is happening in Malta and he felt sad he had to tell them negative things about Malta. They know what is happening from the media but still it hurts to describe Malta as if it were Zimbabwe.
When he was telling them how the prime minister's Chief of Staff allegedly took a commission from the sale of Maltese citizenship to three Russians, someone remarked that along with Malta's citizenship, that Russian family gained European citizenship.
Dr Busuttil, on behalf of the people of Malta thanked the whistleblower for her courage in going up to the magistrate and testifying for three whole hours. He urged people to read the interview with her carried on The Malta Independent on Sunday.
When allegations are made, he added, it is the details that make them credible.
Dr Busuttil also referred to what is claimed on the Sunday Times - that the Police Commissioner and the Attorney General have known for over a year about the allegations.
He was scathing about the Commissioner who went to have a fenkata when duty should have made him go to Pilatus Bank.
As regards the Attorney General, he said he does not know his political allegiance but he was appointed by a Nationalist Government but he is probably terrified to fall ill by the government. Dr Busuttil urged him to do the right thing before he gets tarnished by association with this government.
Dr Busuttil promised that on Day 1 after he is elected, he will set up a commission to investigate corruption so that the guilty get their just deserts. This was welcomed by a huge roar by the people at the conference.
He will also ensure justice to all who suffered any injustice.
Thirdly, he will amend the Constitution so as to strengthen the authorities, bodies and structures which have not proved to be robust enough to withstand against corruption.
There will be an investigative magistracy which can act against corruption on its own initiative, without waiting for orders from anyone.
Magistrates and judges will onlybe appointed if they get two-thirds support in Parliament. So too other independent officials.
To win the election, the Nationalist Party has reached an agreement with Partit Demokratiku and is trying to get the same agreement with Alternattiva Demokratika. It needs the support of all people of good will to stand up and be counted.
There is someone who can stop Joseph Muscat from continuing to lead the Labour Party and that is the MPs of the Labour patliamentary group. They may call a vote lof confidence and thus remove Dr Muscat. Dr Muscat took great care with his MPs: he gave them additional income which in some cases amount to €70,000 a year. But will the MPs be dazzled by such incentives?
One who was not dazzled was Godfrey Farrugia who resigned from Whip. Labour is now a party without the dkiscipline of the Whip. He is a man of great courage and must have arrived at his conclusion on his own, certainly not because of (his partner) Marlene Farrugia. There are other MPs who are equally unhappy with the way things have turned out. They must do the right thing.
Prior to Dr Busuttil, deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami made a characteristic rousing speech in which he praised Dr Farrugia for his decision. The speaker admitted the previous PN administratioon did a lot of mistakes but said it has now learned its lesson. He appealed to PN voters who last time voted |Labour to get back to the renewed party.
Photos Baskal Mallia