Opposition Leader Alfred Sant yesterday directly challenged three ministers to file a libel suit against him as, he stated, these are involved in corruption and are not saying the truth.

Dr Sant, while speaking during a public dialogue meeting in Mosta, called on Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit to file a libel suit against him.

He said that the people want a change as it has been hit with too many episodes of corruption.

“There have been projects that have never been completed: St Paul’s Bay bypass and the Cirkewwa quay among others,” he said.

“There are several ministers that are involved in cases of corruption. Communications and Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea was heard on tape stating that money was being squandered in the Malta Transport Authority and that people were inefficient,” said Dr Sant.

Roads and Urban Development Minister Jesmond Mugliett is even more politically responsible because “under the excuse of a presidential pardon, he kept workers who were accused of corruption,” he added.

Furthermore, said Dr Sant, whatever Mr Mugliett claims “he lied to parliament because it was not a collective decision as he stated it was, and if he wants he can sue me for libel – again.”

He also challenged Mrs Debono to do the same, stating that a person working in her secretariat is still working there even after he was caught falsifying education certificates that allowed people to find a job.

Dr Sant stated that the person involved is still trusted by the minister and is paid by the secretariat while working in the ministry’s project division.

“The Gozo ministry has the highest number of complaints registered under the Public Services Commission over mismanagement and awarding of promotions – the Labour Party is not afraid to speak up about these matters,” said Dr Sant.

In a direct reference to a quote often repeated by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, the Opposition Leader said that “nothing happens out of coincidence” (xejn ma jigri b’kumbinazzjoni) stating that there is a reason why the Nationalist Party is doing nothing about the situation.

He also quoted President Eddie Fenech Adami who had said that who does not fight corruption is also corrupt himself.

Dr Sant then turned to Minister Zammit and stated that he received Lm70,000 in compensation after a strip of his land was taken to widen a road.

“If this is not true then sue me. I know many people who had land taken from them to widen the road but these never received compensation,” he said.

He also spoke about his recent visit to Mater Dei hospital. “It is true that it is a state-of-the art hospital but it is like walking in a ghost town – it is empty,” he said.

Furthermore, he said, after spending around Lm300 million it had better be state-of-the-art, “which, by the way, we were first to call it so”.

However, Dr Sant said that they did not go around the whole hospital during their visit.

“When Labour is in government we will request a full audit on how the decisions were taken and were the Lm300 million were spent,” he added.

Labour MP Jose Herrera said that there are two aspects to corruption: the legal aspect and political responsibility.

“Regardless of whether ministers are directly or indirectly involved in corruption taking place in their ministries, they are responsible,” said Dr Herrera.

Dr Herrera said that, as from now on, his criticism of the government and ministers will become harsher and more personal.

Deputy Leader Michael Falzon said that the people are fed up of the Nationalist government’s corruption and abuse and during the local elections held in March voted for a change.

“Within the next few months there will be another new change and we will get rid of the tired-out administration that we have now in government,” said Dr Falzon.

He spoke about the government’s recent decision to reappoint Richard Muscat as ambassador to Ireland.

“The auditor’s report showed that Mr Muscat’s management of the radio station Voice of the Mediterranean was not according to good governance and there had even been cases of mismanagement and yet the government has renewed his appointment as ambassador,” he said.

Dr Falzon quoted three points from the bishops’ pastoral letter compiled for the Feast of the Assumption.

“Unemployed people are one of the points mentioned in the letter. The government has the responsibility to provide jobs for everyone and not only people who are specialised in modern technology and Information and Communication Technology (ICT),” he said.

The bishops, said Dr Falzon, also spoke about the immense difficulties young couples are facing to buy their own property.

“The Labour Party is working on this issue and while we are not making any promises we will formulate a policy for this problem,” he said.

The third point raised by the bishops and Dr Falzon was about the waiting lists at hospital.

“We have a state-of-the-art hospital that was recently opened. However, have any of the waiting lists decreased thanks to this new hospital?” queried Dr Falzon.

He also mentioned a recent visit he made to the former trade fair grounds in Naxxar that will be used as the counting hall for the next general election.

“While I’m not making any speculations on the date of the general election, we were told that this counting hall has to be ready by October. We have to work together so that the next time we walk out of the former trade fair grounds we will walk out with a victory,” he said.

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In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said that Dr Sant had once again not accepted the PM's proposal for the setting up of a parliamentary committee that would study the strengthening of the country's structures to combat corruption. It seems that Dr Sant prefers to "talk to himself" every Sunday rather than have a constructive discussion within a parliamentary committee.

At the same time, the Opposition Leader continued not saying the truth with regard to allegations he has repeatedly made on ministers over the past weeks. There is no case of abuse on which the government did not take steps, a truth which Dr Sant does not want to accept, the OPM said.

Dr Sant had said nothing new and continued with his strategy of throwing mud. This tactic is based on three pillars - twisting of facts, putting people in bad light and take credit of matters that he cannot criticise.

Now that the Opposition Leader's campaign against Mater Dei Hospital had failed, he is trying to take some form of credit. The thousands of people who visited the hospital before Dr Sant did know that the completed work is due to the leadership of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, the OPM said. It seems that Dr Sant is leaving it up to the General Workers Union to continue his campaign of trying to disrupt the migration process.

While condemning such campaigns, the government wanted to ensure the people that what the MLP and the GWU did will not deter it from its determination to see that the migration process to Mater Dei is completed before the end of the year. The government also expressed its solidarity with the workers who continued to fulfil their duties in difficult circumstances.

The OPM said that the opposition was the only institution that did not take part in the discussion process leading to the drawing up of the pre-budget document.