While two Labour MPs took part in L-Istrina despite a party boycott of organisers Where's Everybody?, Opposition leader Alfred Sant held his ground over his party's stand. He also refused to comment on the event's unifying force.

"Dr Fenech Adami should have negotiated with L-Istrina and not with the EU - he would have got more money," he said when asked to comment on the record sum of Lm882,000 collected and the overwhelming expression of solidarity.

When pushed again to comment on the point of solidarity and unity shown by the people during L-Istrina, rather than concentrating on a political angle, Dr Sant insisted: "That is my comment".

"It is a pity that such an activity is organised by a political organisation such as Where's Everybody, but this is something which should be looked at by Public Broadcasting Services," he said.

Dr Sant also refused to comment on the participation of shadow cabinet ministers for tourism and the elderly - Mr Karmenu Vella and Prof. Louis Buhagiar - on L-Istrina.

Both Mr Vella and Prof. Buhagiar said when contacted that so far as they knew there had not been any official party boycott against L-Istrina and they felt the need to take part in such a noble cause.

Both MPs said they had also given their support to the Labour fund-raising campaign organised on Friday at the Bay Street Complex during which Lm44,000 were collected for four charities.

Though there may not have been an official boycott of L-Istrina, MLP general secretary Jimmy Magro recently told The Times that the party was once again planning not to take part.

Mr Magro had said that the party did not intend waiving its policy on boycotting events organised by Where's Everybody?

"The MLP policy is that it does not participate in any event or programme organised by Where's Everybody?," he had said.

When asked if the party intended to make an exception since L-Istrina was a fund-raising charity event, Mr Magro said: "The party does not distinguish between one programme or another organised by Where's Everybody?".

Meanwhile, informed sources said that Super 1 employees and contributors were informed about four weeks ago that it was "the party's wish for them not to attend L-Istrina".

"We were not forced, but we were told in a way which left no doubt as to what the party's wishes were," the sources said, preferring not to be named.

"I was approached and the people who told me of the party's wishes seemed embarrassed about relaying the instructions not to take part in a charity event," they said.

Mr Karmenu Vella insisted that his participation was not in defiance of any party directive, "if there was any", but to join in "a national event" to help those in need.

"L-Istrina is something I look forward to every year. I look forward to the chance to be able to help, and many others look forward to benefit from the donations - I felt I should not betray these people," he said.

"The money collected is not going into Where's Everybody?'s pocket, but towards a very noble cause. If I am Labour and have a disabled child, why should I deny him the chance to get help - charity surpasses all political differences.

"I was there to do my part and I hope I can continue taking part in L-Istrina every year. It's wrong to politicise such events," he said.

Prof. Buhagiar echoed this sentiment and said that "whoever politicises such events will be harming and dishonouring the Maltese who have shown how generous they are.

"This was a philanthropic event in which we exchange season's greetings and give a helping hand to the less fortunate - this supersedes any differences between the people," he said.

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