Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that if the Leader of the Opposition really wants to protect Malta's reputation, he should not go round the world, but simply head to Bidnija, a clear reference to journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia who resides in this locality.
Dr Muscat was replying to questions by journalists following a press conference in Valletta.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat also downplayed comments made by the German Minister when he described Malta as ‘Panama in Europe.’
“Attack on our financial services never really stopped,” Dr Muscat told journalist. Joseph Muscat was asked to react to the comments made by Minister Walter Borjan that Malta has become the Panama of Europe after a data leak revealed that there are 70,000 offshore companies on the island.
Prime Minister Muscat said that the only thing that is different this time is that the attack started from within our same country. “I challenge the PN so that after the general election, it supports our front against the attack on Malta’s financial services.” He said even if in Opposition, the Labour Party leader would never lead an attack against his own country.
Asked on what measures will the Prime Minister take to create more stability in the police force, given the fact that in the last four years there have been four different police commissioners, Dr Muscat said that the government will make sure that the police is not under attack by the Opposition.
"There were instances when I did not agree with the police in the past. But I never personally attack the Commissioner," he said.
Dr Muscat said that in the near future, he will present measures to create more stability in the police force. He said that the government intends to use the blueprint model used for the Armed Forces and adopt it to the police.
German Minister who called Malta 'Panama in Europe' tried to score political points - PL
According to Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, the German Minister who commented on the Maltese political and financial system situation was only trying to score some political points.
"Mr Borjans is fighting for his political career and wants to score some points," the Minister said while addressing a press conference at the Labour Headquarters.
Prof Scicluna was referring to the comments made by German Minister Walter Borjans when he referred to Malta as "Panama in Europe". The Minister believes that this is the fruit of political spin. "The Minister in question has a history of paying for stolen data and for not following due protocol," Prof Scicluna added.
He said such articles damage Malta's reputation and blamed certain countries and journalists for trying to bully small countries.
Prof Scicluna also remarked on how the Pana Committee asked the Maltese Prime Minister to appear but did not approach President-elect of France Emmanuel Macron to explain allegations related to undeclared accounts.