Kurt Sansone
A ridiculous controversy - George Fenech
The owner of the private jet on which the Finance Minister flew to watch a football match has described the controversy as "ridiculous", saying politics and business were never discussed during the short holiday.
The chairman of the Tumas Group, George Fenech did not see how the minister's position could have been compromised by accepting the free flight and match tickets in April.
"... It's ridiculous. It means that if I now see him at a reception I cannot talk to him. I won't distribute any hampers at Christmas time now," an incredulous Mr Fenech said when contacted.
He insisted no political party ever gave him "red carpet treatment".
"What we achieved as a company we did because we worked for it," he added.
Claiming the whole affair was being pushed by "someone with a hidden agenda", Mr Fenech said he had nothing to hide.
"I swear that on the trip we did not discuss politics or business. Both Joe Gasan and I made it clear that we were not to discuss either. I do not need to fly with the minister to talk to him about business. I make appointments like any other businessman does," he said.
The controversy revolves around the minister's perceived conflict of interest in flying with Mr Fenech, who is a casino operator, and the presentation of new regulations in Parliament to introduce stricter controls on gaming halls.
However, Mr Fenech was unfazed by the argument insisting casinos have been strictly regulated for 11 years.
He added that in January all casino operators had asked for a level playing field because the gaming halls were mushrooming and they were not regulated like casinos.
"I am not corrupting a minister by asking him to regularise a sector and ensure a level playing field. All casino operators made this request," he said, referring to the judicial protest filed in January by all casinos asking the government to regularise the gaming halls.
The affair was raised during the Nationalist Party's parliamentary group last Saturday and made public by MaltaToday the following day.
On Monday, in an interview with The Times, the minister admitted to going on a free trip aboard George Fenech's private jet to watch Arsenal play in Spain.
Accompanying the two was businessman Joe Gasan who obtained the match tickets for free through Ford's sponsorship of the Champions League. The minister said he paid for his accommodation.
The minister has insisted he has a clear conscience and changes to the gaming law in the pipeline were never intended to advantage George Fenech.
Joe Gasan could not be contacted because he was abroad on business.
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Mike Orland
Oct 16th 2009, 20:19
To Mr. George Fenech and all the honorable family; Self made people who's honour will never be disturbed by such stupid accusations. Tumas Group has long been titled as one of the strongest business families in our islands with a respected landmark in other European countries.
Can you please tell me why do you continue to invest in this island?? Isn't Hilton Evian-les-Bains's project a majestically successful investment in France?? Isn't it just wonderful to build such prestigious, job creating, and financially remunerative projects without having to be insulted as if you are a dog getting the crumbs from under a minister's table???
I wish Tumas Group the continuation of a long lasting success hoping you will continue to strengthen your offshore base, where MERITOCRACY pays without insults.
Anthony Mizzi
Oct 16th 2009, 16:25
Why ridiculous?
And who is George Fenech who partnered Tonio Fenech on flight to state or make judgment on such an embarassing situation?
Members of parliament, not Labour but Nationalist MPs have come out to state that such a trip was , to say the least as a breach to code of ethics, in view of Tonio Fenech's position as Finance Minister and George Fenech's business interests.
ray buhagiar
Oct 16th 2009, 16:09
Min m'ghandux htija jitfa l-ewwel gebla
A.Busuttil
Oct 16th 2009, 13:55
Mr Fenech if I send you an email will you invite me for a free trip? or only ministers you invite?
Joseph Sciberras
Oct 16th 2009, 13:55
It is surprising how many readers have expressed their utmost horror at this story which is the biggest mountain made oout of a molehill if ever there was one. These things happen the world over and social networking helps to keep some sanity in the often mad world of politics. In the US lobbying has become a profession and nobody makes a big deal of these type of encounters Have all these disgusted readers forgotten the real scandals of the 80s? Really people have short memories and they conveniently forget the past and ignore the hidden agendas of those that "revealed" this non-story. Vera qisna n-naghag ta' Bendu! Well said George it is utterly ridiculous.
Nigel Lawrence
Oct 16th 2009, 11:44
Keep on talking, your just making the hole deeper.
Ramon Casha
Oct 16th 2009, 11:12
"The chairman of the Tumas Group, George Fenech did not see how the minister's position could have been compromised by accepting the free flight and match tickets in April."
Here's how: "Code of ethics does not allow ministers to accept gifts"
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091014/local/code-of-ethics-does-not-allow-ministers-to-accept-gifts
I wonder how the ministry of finance would react if everyone treated tax laws in the same way.
Eric Psaila
Oct 16th 2009, 10:47
"... It's ridiculous. It means that if I now see him at a reception I cannot talk to him. I won't distribute any hampers at Christmas time now,"
Well Mr George Fenech naturally there is nothing wrong in talking to a minister during a reception. However it is very very wrong to distribute hampers at Christmas. Firstly it is unethical and secondly if the person is a government employee ( in this case a minister ) it goes against the code of conduct.
It is plain simple. You may consider the case ridiculous but the fact remains that the minister is now in a very tight spot because of this stupid mistake. It was a mistake on the part of the minister to accept the gift and made even worse when the prime minister endorsed it. There is no way that you can change the views of many people on this case. The damage is done punto e basta.
caz crutchley
Oct 16th 2009, 10:26
Politics should be whiter than white.
With 2 major contracts that both business men have an interest in, this would surely be percieved by the general public. The PM should appologise to the nation on his bad judjment and make sure the Finance minister has no say in the final awarding of contracts for either casinos or transport.
Chris Finch
Oct 16th 2009, 09:59
Of course they would claim they are cleaner than clean.
They really think we are stupid don't they?
And the ridiculous thing is, nothing will happen in this whole sordid affair, just like the JPO saga, the VAT scandal, the MEPA fiasco, the roads situation, the bus reform that never happens, need I go on?
Come on GonziPN, lets see some leadership, you have been invisible since re-election, just sitting back and taking the fruits of your labour.