Labour MP 'acknowledges' corruption under pre-1987 Labour governments

ray sacco

Jun 8th 2010, 18:39

reading all these comments, one comes to realize why politicians in this country get away with anything without even having the decency to resign! the population is divided into two brain-washed tribes........red and blue! both believe that their party is a holy virgin while the other is an evil monster! corruption has been and still is a part of politics in malta and politicians face no public pressure to step down when accused of corruption. there is still no autonomous body with a tangible power to investigate and arraign corrupt politicians inspite of lingering promises. so it's useless nagging and complainig. we deserve what we have!

Mario Bonnici

Jun 8th 2010, 09:53

It's better if we discuss what's happening now instead of 30 years ago. After all the voters already expressed themselves more than once about past events.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100608/local/police-widen-probe-into-superyachts-facility-privatisation

Muscat. Pat

Jun 8th 2010, 08:53

These childish diversions remind me at my days at school when we were caught out by the teacher in some misdemeanor. Our only form of defence was; "I am not the only one, the others did it too"! I thought that the EU would give us the values needed for Scandalous Ministers to be held accountable. It seems the PN can't handle the barrage brought about by the never ending saga of messy deeds; it needs diversions-like those of Transport Malta......that most of the times leave you without clear directions!

J.Camilleri

Jun 8th 2010, 08:37

AHNA L-KORRUZZJONI TAL-PREZENT JINTERESSANA U MHUX TA' TLETIN SENA ILU ! Zball ma' jissewwix fuq zball.

Joseph Arpa

Jun 8th 2010, 08:16

Are you for real???? The PN wants to investigate pre 1987 corrption, ok good.....HELLO and what about todays corruption?? Shall we let 25yrs pass and start investigating that.

JOHN O SCERRI

Jun 8th 2010, 08:06

To acknowledge is one thing but not to do anthing about it is a totally different story .

Every one knows about and sees corruption in the making within past and present govts. People in the street are not stupid . Whoever thinks otherwise is very mistaken.

But they also observe those who take immediate and by not delayed action rectify certain cases and bring justice into force.

It's of no use to identify the problem and yet still accept the perpetrators within the team as if what happened before is now ...'acqua passata'.

Crediblity is at stake .

Matthew Agius

Jun 8th 2010, 07:52

Has he not any documents to wave now?

Has he not any 'life-saving' 'tear-bearing' speeches to make (or read)?

Isn't he running to the Commissioner now?

Doesn't he have another 15 corruption measures now?



Where is Joseph Muscat when you really need him?
Sewwa kien qal Jason...Gvern tal-Laburisti se jkollna.

J P Micallef

Jun 8th 2010, 04:55

TAJBA DIN .... KOROTTI - MHUX GHAX MHUX POSSIBBLI, IMMA GHALLURA SPJEGAWLI KIF HALLEW BALLA LIRI GOL-KAXXA TA MALTA FLOK DEJN.

NAHSEB LI HEMM BZONN NARAW IL-QUDDIEM U MHUX LURA, GHAX QED NAHLU HAFNA FLUS U ENERGIJA FIL VOJT U B HEKK MAHNA HA NASLU IMKIEN. IVA GHAX MA TKELLIMX FUQ IL-FUTUR, LE MA TARAX, GHALIEX. PAJJIZI OHRA GHANDHOM PJAN TAL-HAMSIN SENA OHRA LI GEJJIN, U AHNA QED NIDDISKUTU 1985, BHAL LI KIEKU HA JINBIDDEL XI HAGA.

U BARRA MINN HEKK, MILLI JIDHER F-SENA WAHDA 2009-2010 SAR BIZZEJJED BIEX JIBBILANCJA 1971-1987 MHUX GHAX NAQBEL.

Joe Fenech

Jun 8th 2010, 00:51

Now, I'm DEFINTELY no PL fan...

BUT:

The current PN is more corrupt than any former government. Smell the coffee and start investigating what's happening now!

BRING IN A NEW RIGHT GOVERNMENT!

r.camilleri

Jun 8th 2010, 00:46

not only did the PN governments not investigate any corruption cases, but ex labour ministers, accused of this same corruption, who were subsequently expelled from the labour party ended up writing articles on the PN newspaper 'IN NAZZJON' criticising the labour leadership! where PN is concerned, anything goes for political benefit!

Frans Attard

Jun 7th 2010, 19:46

Il-Korrotti ta' dan iz-zmien tghallmu mil-izbalji li ghamlu l-Korrotti ta' qabel l-1987 u qieghdin jaghmlu kollox b'tali mod li ma jinqabdux. U Xejn Aktar!!! Jien ma nafx ghaliex Gonzi qieghed jghid lill Muscat sabiex jinvestiga, meta hu ghandu il-mezzi kollha f'idejh li jghatuh il-poter li jordna investigazzjoni hu stess.

J Abela

Jun 7th 2010, 17:22

1971-1987; Not being corrupt - an exception 1987-2010; Being corrupt - an exception

G. Mangion

Jun 7th 2010, 17:17

Labour MP 'acknowledges' corruption under pre-1987 Labour governments ! Now J.m must carry Dr Cardona's statement and investigate it with wisdom I am sure he J.m is Very Upset...............

Michael Zarb

Jun 7th 2010, 15:39

This gives Joseph Muscat the opportunity to oust some of the people who are keeping his party away from cabinet, something which I think he probably wants to do but lacks the political power within his own ranks to see through. I wonder if he will take advantage.

Acting swiftly upon the allegations and turning this into a spring cleaning exercise will undoubtedly boost his popularity amongst floating voters.

c. camilleri

Jun 7th 2010, 15:31

Afters so many yrs, at long last the truth is coming out from the horse's mouth. Better late than never. But what Christ Cardona failed to mention, is that corruption at that time was institutionalized and condoned by the Govt unlike now when every case of corruption is send to the police for investigation. This is what makes the difference between the two parties.

s.farrugia

Jun 7th 2010, 14:37

We are now in 2010,PN have been in government since 1987, and corruption is everywhere you turn!!! so why all the fuss about PRE 1987??!!!!!

P. Schembri

Jun 7th 2010, 14:14

Another diversionary tactic from the Spinning and Weaving Factory of Pieta'. Friends and Colleagues on the PL side, let the PN apologists rave and rant! We all know that the PL of 30 years ago is not today's PL, so let our political rivals rant and buzz. They're trying to divert our attention from today's government's failures!

joe falzon

Jun 7th 2010, 14:11

look, no government at any time is without corruption --- it's just a question of who is involved and to what extent. It would help the PL to investigate and deal with the matter. remember -- cleaning house will make it more appealing. But, i also have to say that i have presented cases to the present government dealing with injustices and nothing is done or they say it was too long ago, time expired. corruption will leave a trace --- so why didnt the PN take steps when it came into power? why are we harping on events of over 20 years ago?

Robert Agius

Jun 7th 2010, 12:24

'The party said that since a number of ministers of the time were still involved in politics, it was calling on Dr Muscat to investigate what had happened, since ministers were collectively responsible.'... good idea but how about PN doing something about the corruptions happening NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

J.Bonello

Jun 7th 2010, 11:09

With all due respect to everyone, the point at issue is not when the corruption happened but the fact that the Labour Party (and Joseph Muscat in particular) is surrounded by persons who were pack and parcel of the Labour Government who participated in corruption (as stated by a present Labour MP, Dr. Chris Cardona, above).

They are still around and they still purport to be an important part of the Government, should the Labour Party win the next elections.

Keeping in mind that one of Joseph Muscat's proposals is to remover prescription for corruption related offences, one cannot help wondering what his reaction to Dr. Cardona's statement would be. We all know what it should be - but than again how long are we going to be kept waiting for Dr. Muscat to do what should be done - perhaps too long?

K Tabone

Jun 7th 2010, 10:44

The only way of survival...is by mud slinging campaign...no proof, no need of justification just talk and talk create doubts and more doubts and there is a chance that people will beleive a big white lie......and ofcourse now Labour is worried that the PN milestones are being achieved and in 2/3 years time there is an election.

Joseph Muscat huwa biss Paroli, Paroli u paroli u jibqa biss paroli.....

Emmanuel Ebejer

Jun 7th 2010, 09:43

Everyone can see that corruption ceased to exist after 1987!!! Yeah right!!

Andrew Cumbo

Jun 7th 2010, 09:31

@Mr. George Poiter
Yes I remember in the dark days Mr. Poiter, the foundation of BOV and Mid-Med bank, remember Airmalta those that use to be nicknamed lead birds a company that starting showing financial growth as years gone by, until the sun started shining in 1987 and Airmalta started the way down to the financial troubles you brought it today. In the dark between 71 and 87 we build the social housing that still can be seen all around our country, and today we are seeing couples keep paying their homes for their entire life and struggle to live a decent life. In the gloomy days we had a government that didn’t show any bureaucracy started building industrial estates in Bulebel, Hal-Far, San-Gwann, Marsa and Xewkija Gozo that soon after we saw the factories like Toly, SGS Thompson (ST Micro electronics), Baxter, Brandstatter, Pharmamed (Actavis) and more. In the obscurity we had a government that introduced for the very first time social laws and benefits like the 40 hr week, maternity leave, minimum wage, and the women right to vote, pension and lots more. Sorry Mr. Poiter but it was so dark that I can’t remember more!!!!

r. cutajar

Jun 7th 2010, 09:00

This is why most politicians are;
Not Trusted Mr C Cardona!!
If you aspire be extremely carefull what you transpire,
but then that is why you are a politician

Joe Mangion

Jun 7th 2010, 08:43

This is very true of the PN. They take pleasure in justifying one bad thing with another. they do not realise that they have been in office since 1987 with their rallying cry to eradicate corruption from its roots. What do we have now? Corruption has not only become truly institutionalised but has increased in quantity and quality. We are witnessing many ministries involved in irregularities, bad governance and maladministration. It is enough to have a look at the annual report of the Auditor General on the government's performance. This is a heavy burden which the country cannot carry any more. And yes, someone somewhere has to should political responsibility for bringing about this mess no matter what the PN says.

v mercieca

Jun 7th 2010, 08:27

Corruption of between 1971 and 1987 is being mentioned by the PN spin machine. What did the successive PN governments since 1987 do to investigate? NOTHING!

They had 20 years chance to investigate others; do you think that they would investigate their own folks now?

I remember the corruption of the 1971-1987 periods. Those were amateurs compared to the professionals we have to day. Those corrupted in the hundreds and thousands, now we talk of tens and hundreds of thousands and also millions and tens of millions.

With all his faults Dr Alfred Sant tried to investigate as soon as he gained power in 1996. What did Dr Eddie (sorry Edward) Fenech Adami and Dr Lawrence Gonzi do?
NOTHING to investigate.

Dr Gonzi, you can fool some of the people some of the time but you can’t fool all the people all the time.

m Abela

Jun 7th 2010, 08:12

Teatrini il-hmar iwahhl f'dembu. Darba partit wieghed li gustizzia u tmexxija honesta. Mela messu invetiga u ghamel gustzzia.

V Caruana

Jun 7th 2010, 08:02

Life is simple why complicate things. The PM (I'm aware he is D. Gonzi not Joseph Muscat) should go to the police commissioner and hands on Dr. Cardona. Whether it's PN or PL corruption is ALWAYS peoples' money. PM, YOU"RE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC

John English

Jun 7th 2010, 07:48

Mr Poitier

Dark days = Air Malta, Sea Malta, TeleMalta, EneMalta, Mid-Med Bank, Bank of Valletta, Cargo Handling, Network of Social Services, affordable housing, managing our own airport and port etc etc....grow up!!!!!

Ronnie Pellegrini

Jun 7th 2010, 07:44

We are living today and so the present ministers should be investigated. If the Prim Minister wants to fight corruption he must have the guts to investigate the power station's tender. Under the present government corruption is the order of the day.

M.Borg

Jun 7th 2010, 07:10

Ara t-travu f'ghajnejk u mhux xi tibna f'ghajnejn siebek habib.

GiovDeMartino

Jun 7th 2010, 07:05

Corruption under labour? TTTTTTTTTTRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDDDXXXXXXXXXXX
TTTTTTMMMMMUUUUURRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

J. Mifsud

Jun 7th 2010, 06:30

Let us all hope that the PN uses all this fervour to fight corruption by taking notice of the general public's perception on 'yesterday's and today's' allegations of corruption.

vICTOR vELLA

Jun 7th 2010, 02:14

What happened between 1971-1987 is past history and nobody is going to esculpate the PN of the black holes that the party is at present endowed with. From 1971-to 1987 there is a gap of 16 years and every political institution after all these years is prone to corruption. After all these years in government, the PN is holding a cascade of corruption episodes and creating scandals in tandem which is indicative that the time of the PN in government is over even if this country is to be ruled by I don`t know future party. The Maltese people are fed up with this government who is ruling this country with only marginal votes rendering this government as an added and useless burden on the Maltese soceity.

John Micallef

Jun 7th 2010, 00:33

U Kristu refa harstu l'fuq u qallhom: Min mghadux htija iwaddab l-ewwel gebla.

Well done PN, if you continue throwing stones on your feet by doing such statments you will guarantee a victory for PL in the next election.

Well done & keep it up!!

Michael Attard

Jun 6th 2010, 22:54

Hilarious!!

Then PN has been in government for almost 25 years and they expect Muscat to investigate!!

What's the government been doing the last 25 years?!?! SLEEPING?

Frans Attard

Jun 6th 2010, 22:51

I still cannot digest the fact that after 23 years, in spite of the many promises Eddie Fenech Adami used to make before 1987 that a nationalist government would bring to justice the then corrupt people, the Prison cells that he planned to reserve for them, remained Unoccupied.
KIEN KOLLU KLIEM FIERAH!!!!!!!!!!
The current allegations of corruption, which in my opinion, may even be true (il Qasba Ma Ccaqcaqx ghalxejn) make me understand why no action has been taken by any of the nationalist governments since then (la ghamilt hekk Int, naghmel hekk jien ukoll).
There exist a Perfect Crime, and people with power in there hands can easily perform it!!!!
Eddie, dhaqt bin-nies u jien kont wiehed minnhom!!!!!!!!!

Victor Laiviera

Jun 6th 2010, 22:33

How amusing. The PN wants to go back 25 years and more to divert attention from the troubles besetting it today.

Why not go a bit furtjher back and investigae th Poulson Affair and the building of the Gozo Hospoital in the late 60's.?

George Poitier

Jun 6th 2010, 22:32

1971 to 1987 were the Dark years of Malta. Corruption is an understatement. There is a saying, which goes something like this “Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it”.

Anthony Mizzi

Jun 6th 2010, 22:07

and why not go even back to the times of the building of the Gozo Hospital .

Does John Poulson ring any bells?

Allegedly Poulson’s dubious activities included a GBP5,000 donation to the Nationalist Party’s Press Fund in return for favouring his bid to build the new Gozo hospital. These allegations are documented in the book Web of Corruption: The Full Story of John Poulson and T. Dan Smith, by Raymond Fitzwalter and David Taylor.

And GBP5,000 in 1966, this was quite an amount !

N. Bonello

Jun 6th 2010, 22:02

I didn't know Labour leader Joseph Muscat runs the country.

T Camilleri

Jun 6th 2010, 21:39

How could Chris Cardona who entered into politics after 1996 know what had happened between 1971 and 1987 when in 1971 he was probably not even born?

C.camilleri

Jun 6th 2010, 21:38

All that you have to do is accept Joseph Muscat latest proposals against corruption.

Like the one to abolish the prescripition on politicians, besides other proposals.

Lewis Ellul

Jun 6th 2010, 21:20

il-messagg tieghi lil Dr Gonzi hu biex ma jibqax ifarfar mir-responsabbilta' li ghandu u jistenna li haddiehor jaghmillu xogholu. Jekk kien hemm korruzzjoni qabel 1987, issa ilkom aktar minn 20 sena fil-Gvern u miskhom ilu li ghamiltu xi haga. Il-problema qeghda issa u biex tkun taf x'jahseb il-popolin, ifli ftit is-survey fuq dan is-suggett li gie mxanda f'gazzetta ohra dalghodu.