Malta News Briefing
Labour Party normalised bribery
Labour’s actions in “selling Malta” for bribes so that “corrupt officials in government can profit” has led to a lower quality of life in the country, Bernard Grech has said. “Labour has normalised bribery,” he told PN supporters gathered in Valletta for a protest on Sunday afternoon. “The Labour Government has stolen from you the quality of life and the standard of living you deserve,” he said. (MaltaToday)
Eenergy sector allocated €600 million in next year’s budget
Prime Minister Robert Abela said €600 million will be allocated to the energy sector in next year’s budget. “This money is an investment in people and businesses. Through this help businesses can continue to grow and succeed.” Referring to the budget for 2023, set to be announced in parliament on October 24, Abela said plans for next year will focus on stability and sustainability Prime Minister Abela said during a political activity held on Sunday morning that the government had, over the past few years, managed to turn every crisis into an opportunity. Abela also announced that the government will this week launch a reform to halt the eviction of farmers from agricultural land and ensure food security for the country,
Possible corruption in Marsa junction works under investigation by EU
Evidence of potential corruption in a €40 million Marsa flyover contract has attracted the attention of EU anti-fraud prosecutors. Possible corruption in the partly-EU funded infrastructure project has been on the police’s radar ever since the seizure of murder suspect Yorgen Fenech’s mobile phone in November 2019. Data on the phone revealed Fenech’s background role as a middleman in the project, against the promise of €2 million in “success fees”, half of which were planned to be funnelled to a secret offshore company linked to 17 Black. (Times of Malta)
Suspended national team coach is on leave – MFA President
MFA President Bjorn Vassallo said that the head coach of Malta’s national men’s football team, Devis Mangia, did not escape to Italy but was making use of his pre-booked leave. Replying to questions by 103’s Andrew Azzopardi, Vassallo said that the coach, who has now been suspended by the association over accusations of sexual misconduct, has put himself at the disposal of the association since the day of his suspension. The MFA President refused responsibility, insisting that as a football body, the MFA “carries out background checks, we check their coaching license and ask for their police conduct… We simply need a more precise system on a national level”. (Newsbook)
Greens say neither Government nor Opposition want to end passport scheme
ADPD said that the sale of citizenship continues to damage the country’s reputation and neither the Government nor the Opposition is willing to pull the plug on it. During a presser on Saturday, Green chairman Carmel Cacopardo, pointed out that the golden passports scheme “is intrinsically wrong and should be terminated immediately.” Cacopardo highlighted that a green party member of parliament would have immediately presented a motion asking for its termination. “No current MP is currently willing to submit such a motion,” he said.(Times of Malta)
Govt planning to privatise Gozo Channel, PN claims
The Nationalist Party claimed that it is aware that the government is planning to privatise the Gozo Channel. Addressing the media, PN Gozo spokesperson Alex Borg and PN Martime spokesperson Ivan Castillo said that this was worrying for all the Gozo Channel employees and those that used the ferry. “PN understands the importance of the Gozo Channel not only as a business but also as an essential service that sustains Gozitan families. That is why the people deserve to know both the long-term and the immediate plans for the Gozo Channel,” the MPs said. The claim was later denied by the government. (Maltatoday/Independent)
Smooth start for first day of free bus trips
Although it is too early to gather information on the amount of passengers using free transport, Grech said that Valletta, Mater Dei hospital and St Paul’s Bay are the most popular areas among commuters using the service. A spokesperson for the company said that the MPT is expecting an increase in commuters using buses, particularly from the Valletta area. He urged the public to use public transport as it is more convenient and free to those having a Tallinja Card. (TVM)
