Sant sets scene for Mepa corruption scandal charges

One of the first laws a new Labour government would move in Parliament would be the Whistle Blower Act, which this government had failed to introduce, Labour leader Alfred Sant promised yesterday.

Labour, he said, wanted to have this law in place because it would be a government with zero tolerance to corruption. There would be no compromises with corruption or incompetence, he promised.

Dr Sant was speaking in Żejtun following a Coach of Change tour to Birżebbuġa, Marsaxlokk and Marsascala. On the coach's arrival in Żejtun, a Labour Party stronghold, the coach was met with throngs of flag-waving supporters, who filled the tent where the event was being held and the square, making the occasion something more of a mass meeting.

While squibs (sufarelli) were lit, colourful fireworks were let off from the sea at Marsaxlokk. And not only was Dr Sant, who turned 60 yesterday, given a hero's welcome, the people also united in singing happy birthday for him.

Dr Sant said the Prime Minister had filed a libel case against him because he called him a liar and because he insisted on The Sunday Times that the government was corrupt. Dr Sant said he was repeating the charges and stood four square behind them.

Did Lawrence Gonzi have information about people close to him who were involved in corruption cases at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Dr Sant asked adding that according to Dr Gonzi's predecessor, those who did not fight corruption were just as corrupt.

No one, under Labour, would have to pay thousands of liri to get a job at the Freeport. Dr Sant said Labour wanted to increase employment. Dr Gonzi boasted of part-time figures when, in fact, this was the government that, since independence, had generated the lowest number of full-time jobs. Dr Sant promised to launch a plan for the development of the south once the MLP was returned to government. When the PN took over in 1998, it immediately halted what Labour had started between 1996 and 1998. But once it returned to government, Labour would create in the south a beautiful environment. Labour also had plans for all the other areas in the country.

Dr Sant referred to a document he published on Wednesday on the introduction of fees for health services.

While the MLP is arguing that the document proved that this issue was discussed in Cabinet, which agreed on the principle in 2004, the Prime Minister is insisting the issue never made it to Cabinet.

Dr Sant insisted that on page 11 of the document one can clearly read that Cabinet had agreed in principle that health services should be paid for.

Referring to a statement issued earlier in the day by a director at the Health Ministry who said, under oath, that he had written the document, Dr Sant said that of course somebody had to write the report, but the document was based on a Cabinet decision. Moreover, the director's statement, Dr Sant said, proved all that Labour had said that this government had wanted to start charging for health services but did not do so only because of the political consequences.

The event was also addressed by deputy leaders Charles Mangion and Michael Falzon and also by the colourful Joe Debono Grech, a party veteran.

Mr Debono Grech said the best birthday present the people could give Dr Sant was to work hard so that on March 9 they would see him walking into Castille as the new Prime Minister.

He wondered whether Dr Gonzi was lying, hoping he would one day end up at San Anton.

Referring to the tourism figures issued earlier in the day, Mr Debono Grech wondered whether these included the illegal immigrants who were on the island.