Update 3: Sliema council appoints Joanna Gonzi mayor as it approves motion of no confidence in Nikki Dimech

James A. Tyrrell

Sep 5th 2010, 03:44

@John Portelli. John you have summed up exactly what I was thinking myself but as a foreigner I didn't want to come out and say it. I'm sure that Joanna Gonzi is a very competent person and will hopefully do her best for the people of Sliema but the way her opportunity came about stinks!

Robert Lewis

Sep 4th 2010, 23:20

To all 69 MPs. Just scrap all LCs. LC means legalised corruption, as we had more then enough now. Mr. President please involve yourself in this matter on behalf of the Maltese people.

David Caruana

Sep 4th 2010, 22:05

@ Nikki Dimech:

"Well at the end I lost..."

No. You just wait and see in 2 or 3 years who the real loser is going to be ;-)

John Portelli

Sep 4th 2010, 19:51

I cannot believe that in the year 2010, a man like Nikki is forced to resign and then a relative of our Prime Minister is placed as major. Why is beyond me and the PN should have discouraged this at all cost. This reenforces the thinking in Malta that it's all about who you know. Really sad what we are seeing because this is the tip of the iceberg. Cannot imagine what goes on in our ministries. The time has come for a big clean-up. The sad part is though that whoever is in government - whether PN or PL, they both act the same. However, the PN is probably realizing that they have no chance in getting elected in the next election, so they are resorting to placing their friends and family relatives in position of power for the time being. Does this kind of all in the family take place in other EU counties. I would be very interested to know.

Jesmond Abela

Sep 4th 2010, 19:11

Is sur Dimech sfida l-partit tieghu stess. Meta gie mitlub biex jirrizenja ghamel ta rasu u baqa jzomm postu. Kiku irrizenja zgur ma kienx jigi mkecci mill PN. Fil kaz tal Gzira u tal Fgura , 2 kunsillieri tal LP baxxew rashom ghal ordni tal partit laburista. Fil Fgura ghadna ma nafux xini il vera raguni x'kienet, fil waqt tal Gzira dan il gurnal hareg bl-istorja ghax kiku lanqas konna inkunu nafu x'gara wkoll. Li kieku dawn iz zewg sinjuri ma obdewx lordni tal partit taghhom u ma rizzenjawx, bhas sur Dimech kinu jispiccaw. Super 1 kollox haxx haxx mhux hekk , minn dejjem hekk kien u ghadu sal gurnata tal lum ghalkemm JM weghdna riformi shah fl-istazzjon socjalista.

Pule' Carmel

Sep 4th 2010, 16:20

Malta , through its educational philosophy has not trained or bred enough people who can be trusted wholeheartedly in the responiblities dealing with management of many issues within an independent nation. During my 50 years in education, my experience of many maltese students/people is, that when you give them freedom and responibilities for their actions, many misuse it. Few people in Malta are educated enough to retain their integrity , when they taste a form of social power.
In Britain where in the past I used to admire the centuries of breeding which went by to breed a Lady and a Gentlemen, through the Victorian disciplines ( including religions)that existed, I now cry out loud that with modern libererties and freedom, even the British have lost the ability to breed good leaders whom one can trust implicitly. Malta went into independence without realising that it had not bred enough honest Leaders within its community. Hence the stupidities of the semi Gods in localcoucils and elsewhere.Alsothe average workperson does not shoulder his responsibility. The other day I was working in a workshop being very active, and the cleaner came by and told us, " you are dirtying the place for me!"

Joe Fenech

Sep 4th 2010, 14:47

Frame up????? Looks pretty obvious. Someone wants to keep things in the family.

Joe Fenech

Sep 4th 2010, 14:09

The Godfather XXX

Evarist Saliba

Sep 4th 2010, 11:06

What a pity that an issue which should have been dealt with on the merits of the case, that is, should a person holding a public office stay in office while he is being investigated, or charged, by the police for committing a crime, especially one which is directly connected with the office he holds?

We had a chief justice accused of such a crime and the issue was not finally decided for many many years later. Should he have remained exercising the duties of his office during that time? Should other public officers be treated differently?

What may be an issue is whether the accusation constitutes a crime, or an administartive lapsus.

Yet here we have comments which are blantantly inspired by party political bias. The interest of good public administration is ignored in favour of PERCEIVED political party advantage.

j camilleri

Sep 4th 2010, 10:40

L-aqwa the gonzi brand. Ara vera wicchom jaqlaghhom.

Nikki Dimechh

Sep 4th 2010, 09:18

Thanks a lot for all those who spent their time and spared it from their family to support me. If one can see the day of my sacking was the first time I honestly smiled and not a forced one as when I saw so many residents sorry for me and read so many nice comments, I was filled with The vote is a whole soap opera - I can't understand how people like the 3 councilors who signed a document just a month ago against the new Mayor, blatantly sign against me. In this case, I must respect the decision of Joanna, Julian and Cyrus as they always showed me they were against and at least didnt back stabb me. The other 3, 2 of which are experienced people and who I used to call family & so did they, gave them my heart and soul and there answer was - I am obliged to the PN. Well at the end I lost, I have made my case of which I was certain and more than this God knows the truth.A sincere thanks from heart to the ones that stated the facts and supported me till the end. Nikki

gaffarena joseph

Sep 3rd 2010, 23:17

I, will make my comments on this issue when this court case will come to an end and hear the verdict.
Up to now the ex major for me is still innocent.

ct busuttil

Sep 3rd 2010, 18:45

We want our Authorities to fight corruption whoever the perpetrators. We all desire honesty and justice. I think we all agree on these points, red, blue, and different shades. But we expect the manner to be civilised , democratic and transparent. I believe this is what was lacking.

y.scicluna

Sep 3rd 2010, 18:37

''The party did this because it did not want within it people who were involved in corruption.'' WOW! What am admirable statement. What about the rest ?

Mark Seychell

Sep 3rd 2010, 18:23

Justice will be served. This whole situation stinks of a back story that we haven't even gotten close to hearing about.

John Zammit

Sep 3rd 2010, 17:55

The other day an old man told " In the past centuries there was the aristocracy; today we have the political class, just have a look at our MP's; Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici succeeded his father Ugo, Mario Demarco succeeded his father Guido, Beppe Fenech Adami succeeded his father Edward". It seems that not to be outdone Lawrence Gonzi first had his brother become an MP now he made his relative, I do not know whether by consanguinity or affinity, Mayor of Sliema. This brings to mind Napoleon who when he was an emperor he made all his brothers kings of the countries he had conquered.

Joseph E Briffa

Sep 3rd 2010, 17:28

Now that the mission of demonising Dimech and removing him from the Mayor of Sliema has been accomplished, when will justice take its course in the courts? Having taken almost three weeks of investigation on Buhagiar's allegation followed by a big mad rush to charge the Mayor in court a couple of nights ago, one would imagine that the hearing of the case will not take long. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Charmaine Marmara'

Sep 3rd 2010, 16:23

hlief pn u pl tilajn u nezlin ma tismax aw malta xi dwejjaq fikom certu nies .....possibli ma ssibu xejn iktar xi tghidu f hajjitkhom ? listess nies dejjem tghidu tghidu u tergaw tghidu qiskom xi professuri tifmu f kollox ....GET A LIFE !!!

Charles J. Buttigieg

Sep 3rd 2010, 16:19

One may juggle with figures as one wants but facts would still remain the same. Mayor Gonzi gained the support of five Councillors and was opposed by another five. Unless one is living in a Banana Republic one would consider that as a hung Council, one that can’t work. But if one is living in a Banana Republic one would accept that despite the fact that in hard terms it tantamount to Ms. Gonzi appointed herself with her vote as Mayor.

With all these theatrics who needs to go to Russia to see the The Great Moscow Circus celebrating its 50 years of entertainment?

Dr Francis Saliba

Sep 3rd 2010, 16:18

Has anyone else noted that the logical persuasiveness of the comments is always inversely proportional to the number of exclamation marks and interrogation marks?

Michelle Galea

Sep 3rd 2010, 16:08

WHAT A MESS!!!! QISNA FI ZMIEN KRISTU. SALBU, SALBU.
SHAME ON YOU ALL. NICKY I DONT KNOW YOU BUT MY HEART BLEEDS FOR YOU.

George Cremona

Sep 3rd 2010, 14:55

@S. Mercieca .
Can you explain clearly in which corrupt practices was Tonio Fenech implied and accused of? John Dalli was demonised by your own party through the years in the past and when he was proved innocent your own same Party as usual made a BIG U TURN and started sanctifying the same Dalli. This is your party: today it condemns what tomorrow it supports.

@ R. Grech

Which PN official, Minister or MP was accused of anything in connection with the cases or allegations you made?

Miriam Spiteri

Sep 3rd 2010, 14:33

If the PN had to resort to such measures and made this such a national issue and had to order its councillors how to vote instead of letting them vote with a consience only proves that the story is not right from the roots...that the councillors probably know that Nikki Dimech is innocent and therefore the party was scared of their vote...otherwise, if things were so clear, I am sure that not 6, but 10 councillors would have voted in favour of the motion.

The fact that Mr Dimech did not resign also shows this - in other councils, people resigned so as not to face embarassement. On the contrary, Mr Dimech had the guts to face a motion he knew was against him from the start and look them in the eye...he also answered all the press and explained many things, unlike a Ms Gonzi who was instructed to say "no comment" to all...

Peter Shaw

Sep 3rd 2010, 13:58

Issa il Kunsill tas Sliema ha jkun f'par idejn sodi la jkolli Gonzi bhala sindku !

MBorg

Sep 3rd 2010, 13:42

What a mess, This should never have happened. Shame that the Sliema council had to end up like this The ex mayor should have been given a chance to clear his name.

. We have a mayor no one voted for. We have a mayor who does not even live in Sliema, at least that is what is being said. We have councillors who are not even capable of using their brains, but who have to follow orders

.Why have a local council at all ? What a disgusting farce!

M.Pule'

Sep 3rd 2010, 13:17

Prosit Dr. J. Gonzi. Get on with the job of running the Sliema council well & in a fruitful way. I am not surprised that the PL reps abstained in their vote. That is what the PL stands for - a big ZERO. Though they say that they have zero tolerance for corruption, they turned their heads in front of serious allegations. The PN took a difficult & bold decision to suspend the former mayor but the PN was right to refuse to be part of a dirty plot. The socialists ran away and decided not to decide. They tried to please everyone as usual.

Michael Cassar

Sep 3rd 2010, 12:50

Issa li lil Nikki Dimech warrabnih minn-nofs u floku ghamilna lil Joanna Gonzi il-pass li jmiss x'ser ikun? Tahseb li PBO huwa sodisfatt 100% bil-manuvri li sehhew f'dawn l-ahhar jiem? Ghad baqa' xi mossi ohra f'din il-loghba ta' daqstant intricci politici?

A.Gauci Cunningham

Sep 3rd 2010, 12:50

....and the circus continues and the comments unabated, the last twist? "Il-Lejber favur il-Korruzzjoni"!! Says who? Says those people who kept their eyes wide shut and their mouths sealed when accusations upon accusations and doubts upon doubts were raised about the BWSC case not only by the PL but by The Times, a considerable number of coloumnists, geologists, environmentalists, local councils and PN activists. Says who again??? Says those people who turned a blind eye to the letter the Eur. Comm. sent the PN govt. criticising it for changing the tender rules so late in the tendering process therefore giving 1 particular company the edge and threatening to slap us with a 400 million Euro fine!!

JOE CHIRCHOP

Sep 3rd 2010, 11:44

I don't know what question marks could be raised with the decision taken by the PN Administration to ask a corrupt person to resign. With the labourites its a lose lose situation. If the PN took no action, they would gladly accuse the party of accomplise, now that the PN did the right thing, still they invent allegations. PL kindly wake up, stop losing your time and think about POLICIES such as EDUCATION, ECONOMY and things that matter and not invent gossip and allegations. Becuase its true, YOU HAVE NOT CHANGED ONE BIT FROM THE MINTOFF, LORRY SANT DAYS.

J. Scerri

Sep 3rd 2010, 11:43

@ gcForte

Can you please enlighten us Maltese Citizens, by telling from where you've got your numbers? Because according to what you wrote, the Sliema council is made up of 12 members (FIRST ONE IN THE WORLD TO BE MADE OF AN EVEN-NUMBER !!)

I can understand the fraustration you've got because your party hasn't won for ages (and I can assure you that even most of those who voted for the WINNING party till the last election are in the same situation as yours'). But at least try to give the right info as with such comments like you made, your party in future is going to remain in the same side it has been for the last 30 years. In the LOSERS' one.

By the way, I think that the PL councillors took the RIGHT decision not to vote yesterday, because if they voted for one side or another, they would have made the WRONG decision. Like this, they made the ONLY right thing they could do.

C Buttigieg

Sep 3rd 2010, 11:31

Jista xi hadd jghid kull qabel elezzjoni li tigi tal labour kemm ikkundannaw nies li huma korrotti u wara qatt ma gie ipprovat hemm lista ma tispicca qatt, pero ghall xi nies dan hu tajjeb basta isir mill partit tal labour .

Peter Dalli

Sep 3rd 2010, 11:21

Jekk il-poplu Malti ma jridx aktar dal-hmieg, korruzzjoni u konguri, il-familji Gonzi u Borg Olivier iridu jisparixxu kollha mix-xena politika.

Paul Falzon

Sep 3rd 2010, 11:18

Il-veru li l-PN wiccu u naha ohra l-istess. Kieku l-kunsilliera tal-PL ivvutaw ma Nikky kienu jghidu li huma jridu l-korruzzjoni, u ghax ma astjenew qed jghidu l-istess. Kieku vvutaw kontra Nikky kienu jghidu li basta jghidu li persunu hija meqjusa innocenti qabel tinstab hatja. Pjani dijabolici mahduma minn Gonzipn.

Lydia Caruana

Sep 3rd 2010, 11:15

Call a general election Gonzi. Even foreigners as shown by the link to the European Voice have lost faith in you and your government. The Eu Commission has already started proceedings against your government for the BWSC affair and I believe that the Nikki Dimech issue was brought up not only to get your cousin's wife as mayor to have everything all in the family, but also to deviate the peoples attention from other very hot issues including the EU Commission investigation of the BWSC contract.
Gonzi, if you have any trace of decency left you would call a general election immediately.

John Azzopardi

Sep 3rd 2010, 11:15

What this show has shown as we all know of course is that political parties are full of strife. The damage that Gonzi and PBO has done to the party is not even funny and this on top of placing a relative of the prime minister. This is total stupidy and I am shoched that more people are not questioning this type of chronism. I have had enough of this story but to see the prime minister relative take the mayorship tops it all. The people of Sliema should wake up and demand a new election to clear up the air if they are as smart as they are projected to be.

gcForte

Sep 3rd 2010, 10:58

Can somebody enlightening me of how this council is going to operate ? So they have six from the P.N. four from the P.L. and two independent..............If , let say the new Mayor brings up a serious motion which needs the majority of the votes, what will happen if the two independent members ( ex P.N. vote against ( which definitely is going to happen )and agreeing with the four members of the P.L.? I think the best is to call an early council election in Sliema. I did not agree, that the P.L. members abstained from this motion. In my opinion, they helped the P.N. to recover a shame. If they voted against with the other two ex P.N.members, a big problem should have been raised in the P.N. political camp, especially to P.B.O. That is my opinion, maybe I am wrong.

lulu gatt

Sep 3rd 2010, 10:37

sitt puppazzi f'idejn Gonzi u shabu u issa fidejn Gonzi #2 ukoll!! issa jekk jinstab innocenti xser jigri.....sa fejn naf jien he's still innocent until proven guilty u allura din kollha malafama kontrih! u kieku kont flok GonziPN noqghod daqxejn lura milli nikkundanna lill- PL u nghid li dawn ifavurixew il-korruzjoni...people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

George Cremona

Sep 3rd 2010, 10:34

@ S. Mercieca.
Yes of course I am mature,much more than you think. What would the PL do or say if the PN acted otherwise than it did in the face of such allegations of corruption and considering the fact that Mr. Nikki Saliba endorsed the allegations of corruption? If the PN acted otherwise I would myself turn my back to the PN and would not support it anymore. I won't take decisions on words and rethoric which many a time would be empty and meaningless but on deeds. I only come to judge on deeds. It may be that the PN is at fault on various counts. After all to err is human and that is acceptable. What is not and should not be acceptable or excusable is to err intentionally for selfish or other malignant reasons. As far as I know till now the PN cannot be blamed or accused of such a 'virgonia' as used to be the MLP when in government. I would abondon once for ever the PN if, God forbids, it falls down into such disgraceful depth.
he is not capable of occupying the position he held until yesterday because he

victor borg

Sep 3rd 2010, 10:32

So Sliema has a new mayor what a farce six councilers were forced how to vote by PN heads in
Pieta. These councilers could not wait for the courts to decide wether mr.Dimech is innocent or not but the six of them became judge and jury.I dont know eighter mr.Dimech nor ms.Gonzi but
seeing both on tv i can see a big difference mr.Dimech answers all the media and ms.Gonzi
on the other hand allready arrogant,i am lucky i dont live in Sliema.

Manuel Dimech

Sep 3rd 2010, 10:31

Nikki Dimech's family would like to thank all those who supported Nikki during this dirty campaign by the PN administration (and fellow PN councilors who had promised their support) to remove him from Mayor of Sliema. we thank all those who through their comments on the newspapers, phone calls and meeting on the street showed that what was being done to Nikki was very undemocratic and vile especially coming from a party that proposes itself as the champion of democracy. We hope that this is an eye opener to all other NP councilors all over the Maltese islands, Watch out. When Big Daddy doesn't want you any more he will always find ways and means to discard you.
We also publicly convey our special thanks to Sandra Camilleri for the support she gave to Nikki even after the way she was harassed by PBO and JPD to sign the motion against Nikki.

Victor Cuschieri

Sep 3rd 2010, 10:24

No wonder someone calls him GONEZI.

Dr Joe Brincat

Sep 3rd 2010, 10:16

Just about when the law is an ass. No comments on the issue.

The Local Councils Act requires that one third of the council can (a) move a motion of no confidence in the mayor and (b) at the same time nominate another councillor as mayor.

This could have made sense if councillors were independent of political parties.

As the law stands, if one votes in favour of the motion, it means two things. One that he has no longer any confidence in the present mayor, and at the same time and at the same breath that he has confidence in the one suggested. One may have no confidence in the incumbent, but sees a better choice than the one suggested.

And it verges on the ridiculous if the original motion is signed also by the person who is being suggested as the new mayor. Appointing himself ?

The law can be more than an ass.

B Sant

Sep 3rd 2010, 10:03

back to the 80's .......or worse

In the 80s u would be stabbed in the back and notice who would have stabbed you and u turn and had an instinctive feeling to hit back but nowadays they stab u in the back , turn round and say thank you

Ray Bugeja

Sep 3rd 2010, 10:02

It seems that the PN is back to the Borg Olivier days, then there was the Borg Oliviers family in parliament, now there is the Gonzi family all over. It seems that Lawrence Gonzi is following the blue print of the Borg Olivier Dynasty.

I Christie

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:53

So now Sliema has a Mayor that the Sliema residents did not vote for...I wonder .. Should Nikki Dimech be ultimately found innocent of all charges will he be instated again in his position, Mrs Gonzi resigns and Mr Borg Oliver issue a very public apology to all involved ( including us tax payers!)
Ian

Vincent Sammut

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:48

Nikki Dimech is like Caesar with his own PN counselors stabbing him in the usual PN cloak and dagger affairs.

JOHN RIZZO

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:46

LACE WORKED BY PLATIGNUM

walter camilleri

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:45

Without even remotely entering into the question of guilt or otherwise, I think this whole shameful business is a sad reflection on how our society operates.
1) A man is condemned without fair trial
2)He claims unfair treatment during police interrogation - his claim would have been untenable if, as happens in all civilised countries, he had his lawyer present during the interrogation.
3)He is arraigned in court with unseemly haste before the Sliema Local council meeting set up to depose him. This is totally unlike what has happened in many other equally, or more, serious cases like the VAT frauds, the BSWC cases, the driving licence scams, and so on.
4) The NP general secretary is filmed behaving in unseemly fashion at the Lady Di pub, and nothing happens.
5) This whole exchange is carried on while the case is still sub judice.

What I cannot understand is why both our local parties refuse to legislate for a lawyer to be present during police interrogation? And, for that matter, why the similar reluctance about passing the whistle blower act, once and for all? Both parties are supporting a breach of fundamental human rights .

J.Agius

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:42

I am glad I did not vote since Albert Bonello Du puis decided not to contest!!Sliema in a mess
since!!!!
J.agius

Muscat Pat

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:39

An other" kawlata," cooked at Castille !

Michael Catania

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:39

What has been in acted within the Sliema council has finally brought to the surface the low level that consevatives go to to acheive their aims. Without any proof of guilt they hounded one of their own out of office. Yet there are those who are making millions at the expense of the tax payers and get defended tooth and nail by these same conservatives. I think it is time to revisit the eighties and look at events that took place then and analyse them to really piont out the real perpetrators. Maybe this nation will finally wake up and pass judgement on thes consevatives and totally removefrom any position of power

Salvu Schembri

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:34

http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/tightrope-walker/68755.aspx

M Camilleri

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:31

Din kollha hadma tal partit nazzjonalista. Il-PN sar GonziPN u jekk il-partit m'ghandux pjacir bik jaraw kif jamlu jqacctuk il-barra bl-aghar mod possibli. Biss jekk il-PN ikollu pjacir bik, jghattilek kollox.
Politika mahmuga!!

Peter Korsten

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:08

"Mr Dimech turned up for the meeting 15 minutes late - because he could not find a parking space."

Well, it IS Sliema, after all.

"The PN also condemned the PL for “its shameful behaviour” saying it used its media to defend people who admitted they had been bribed."

Clever move, trying to shift the focus elsewhere. Well, not so clever really, because it's so obvious.

A. Agius

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:06

Tajjeb mela Nikki Dimech spicca l-scapegoat tal PN. Kemm awn Sindki ohra li ghamlu affarijiet irregolari anke segretarji?? Awn il Mosta kien hemm kaz fejn mal 20.000 lira gew 'mislaid' mis segretarju u ma smajna xejn aktar, dal kaz gara fi zmien Sinku Nazzjionalista. U xi nghidu ghal dak il Kunsillier li kien involut ma 'minuri f'ghawdex - dan baqa membru tal Kunsill jigiefieri il PN jacetta affarijiet fejn jrid biss u ohrajn taparsi nikkwitawhom - vera tal Mickey mouse sewwa kanta Bundy!!

Ramon Casha

Sep 3rd 2010, 09:02

So what happens now if the police/court investigations reveal that Mr. Dimech actually did not request or receive the commission?

J.Cachia

Sep 3rd 2010, 08:56

Is it true that Joanna Gonzi was given a vote of no confidence by 3 PN councillors? X'ipokrezija! X'faccolizmu ta nies! Tal-PN down the drain..

Frans Sammut

Sep 3rd 2010, 08:48

I reckon the PL on the Sliema LC were right to abstain. Both morally and legally. Mr Dimech's case is still sub iudice meaning he is still legally innocent. Besides, the whole episode is so murky no-one can really know what outcome to expect. Not knowing the persons involved I dare not pass any comment on them, particularly Mr Dimech himself. Indeed if I were one of the PL members on the Sliema LC I would have abstained, waiting for the judicial outcome. There is no partisan politics in this, just plain common sense ... as well as a sense of fair play.

mario scerri

Sep 3rd 2010, 08:29

IL-PN sar Gonzipn fil-veru sens tal-kelma w fiil-prattika. Lllum mhux bizzejjed tkun nazzjonalist imma trid tkun tal-klikka ta' Gonzi.

Jiena laburist imma ma naqbilx mal-mod kif gew trattatti Nikky Dimech u Sandra Camilleri.

Joseph E Briffa

Sep 3rd 2010, 08:02

Joe Muscat...il-kuxjenza hija bhal-kompjuter .....ittik skond ma titmahha. garbage in, garbage out, they say.

Frans Attard

Sep 3rd 2010, 07:55

'According to EU sources, the Commission had concerns that Malta might have infringed EU PUBLIC PROUREMENT LAW in the tender procedure carried out by enemalta' (timesofmalta.com 03/10/2010)
This is an allegation of law breaking, by none other than the EU, that the Malta police did not dare to investigate.
WHY???????????????????????????????????????????

simon cutajar

Sep 3rd 2010, 07:49

Kollox mahdum bizzilla !

C.camilleri

Sep 3rd 2010, 07:37

I totally agree with the PL from keeping away from this PN KAWLATA at the Sliema Local Council? As they say in maltese min xarbu jieklu il-bakkaljaw.
Now I only hope that once the PN got rid of one of own he will turn his attention and start seriously answering question about the MESS of the century, the contract of the extension of the power station, which really stinks.
We wait and see.

j.cassar

Sep 3rd 2010, 07:33

The Labour hypocracy have no limits, they daily invent cases of corruption without any prove to deflame and damage innocent people, now they have a case where someone admitted corruption, and they support him. It is a party without any values, their only aim is to gain votes, which they will not gain. Time will tell us.

VV Bartolo

Sep 3rd 2010, 07:18

you should be shameful of yourself, all your life, dr joanna gonzi, for the way you were appointed mayor!!!

Silvia Zammit

Sep 3rd 2010, 07:13

The PL's councillors' move I'd say is the best one. Firstly, they didn't get to be involved in this mess. Secondly, the didn't act as judges and such like all the other PN councillors did. Because Nikki Dimech is still not proven guilty or innocent, I'd say pulling out of this is the best way to stay out of it. Well done!

And for the PN councillors - you sicken me. Is this the level of respect you show to your colleagues? You are all puppets moving according to the big puppeteer's plans. I hope you all realize how ridiculous you look to the entire nation.

C. Farrugia

Sep 3rd 2010, 07:07

WHAT A MESS!!!!!!!!!! HOW CANNOT THE NOMENCLATURA AT PIETA REALISE THE DMAGE THEY ARE DOING TO THIS COUNTRY AND THE PARTY.

Marcel Dingli

Sep 3rd 2010, 06:13

X'oxxenita ! Mbghad x ma jtellfux hobz in nies b semplici telefonata ! Attenti nies ghax gejna ghar mit tmeninijiet.

Ian Galea

Sep 3rd 2010, 05:28

""The party did this because it did not want within it people who were involved in corruption.""
---This statement insults the intelligence of all, especially people like me which gave their vote to gonziPN:)) last election and now are disgusted with how things are being conducted.....Seriously i don't believe that there are people who believe in that statement anymore.And pls PN if the statement was true why are the resignations only coming from these non sense(non sense because were just too small an island to need them) local councils and not from the top.Its up there that any corrupt practice should stop immediately!!!!!!!!!

Frederick Borg

Sep 3rd 2010, 04:44

Isn't this a continuation of the internal rift between Messers Arrigo & the PN leader ?

I think that Mr Dimech's faith was written the day he was 'supported' by Mr Arrigo against the "party's" preferred candidate !

However, for the sake of democracy, Ms Gonzi was not the Sliema voters first choice so in all fairness, especially since both she & Mr Dimech were elected under the PN's flag. The outcome of the investigation should have been awaited prior to any quick moves to oust any Tom, Dick or Harry.

Jason Azzopardi`

Sep 3rd 2010, 01:52

In the Year 2010, I still believe that the majority of Malta fall back into the PN and PL divide. What a shame, people have not grown and have not been able to break this PN and PL monopoly after almost 50 years. This to me shows polical immaturity.

George Cremona

Sep 3rd 2010, 00:57

I can't understand the stand the labour Councillors had taken when faced with such a situation where allegations of corrupt practices are being made and when the ex Major Nikki Dimech has been brought before the Courts accused of criminal behaviour? Are they or aren't they against corruption? Do they seriously believe in what they say in the public?
What stand is their leader going to take now that his Councillors failed to take a firm position against a person who is being accused of corruption? I presume that he will rebuke these Councillors and see that they are severely punished by the party he leads to show that he and his party mean business when dealing with corruption and the persons involved.
This is the time when words are either translated into fiction or into facts. We wait and see which way the labour pendlum will go.

Alexander Pace Gouder

Sep 3rd 2010, 00:44

Am I correct in saying that the vote for new Mayor was 6 against 5 as follows: 5 NP + 1NP(Miss Joanna Gonzi voting for herself) 2 Votes against (Mr.Nikki Dimech and Mrs.Camilleri) and 3 Labour Party) abstained. So the Sliema Council now i.e. presently has - 6 NP Members which include the Mayor. 2 Independent and 3 Labour members. What will happen if a surprise vote is taken and 2 NP Members are away as could have been the case this time? As i stated before the situation in the Sliema Council has now become very difficult to function. This morning the feedback was that Sliema Residents mainly NP voters want a strong council. This evening many NP voters Sliema Residents are disgusted with the present situation. One of the reasons being given and here i quote comments " a counciller voting for herself to become Mayor. "PBO and delegates mix with the Sliema Residents and you will also get your feed back. "Closed between 4 walls in your Headquarters and sueing and issuing statements will get you nowhere. It seems that your strategy is going to backfire if not already backfired amoung the Sliema NP Voters.

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Sep 3rd 2010, 00:39

Oh but this is a circus!!! And what a circus it is!! So let me get this crystal clear....this is a PN home-baked qassata and some people here want to deflect their attention to Labour!! No actually they want to blame Labour for all this mess in Sliema and furthermore they think they have some kind of moral authority to tell people from another party how to cast their votes. Well dears let me burst your bubble for a second if you don't mind!! The only reason you wanted the Labour councillors to vote against Nikki is simply for your own disgusting political ends. You wanted to make an accomplice out of Labour, you wanted to wake up on a Friday morning taliking about how even Labour managed to see evil in Nikki and that therefore this was the best proof that the guy is really guilty. Your game is not the protection of the vulnerable and neither is it the fight against corruption, your fight is purely political; dirty, diabolically and disgustingly political. Which reminds me of another former Nationalist and his visit to a psychotherapist, but that'll have to wait for now!! Too appalling to ignore!!

Lawrence Cardona

Sep 3rd 2010, 00:29

Imma kif ma tisthux tipruvaw thamgu xorta il Partit Laburista ghax astjenew il-verita kollha li gara ghadu hadt ma jafa sew Nikki is-sindku propja ghadu ma nstabx hati u il poplu hazin malti ga teffaw il habs u jien nghid il verita hi li lil nikki ghamlulu kif kienu ghamlu il Gorg Borg Olivier tal klikka qalawh min taht l-istorja tirepeti ruha .NIKKI kieku minnek ahrab u igri min dan il- partit ghax l-istorja tieghek intuzat biex jaghtu hafna mid dizastru li awn fil pajjiz int kont il haruf tas sagrificju issa daqt jofrulek xi post wara il kwinti gewwa Brussles.

Dylan Olliver

Sep 3rd 2010, 00:18

With what is happening in Sliema, we residents have totally lost in the Council. And the main reason is that while all this has been going on, Sliema is crumbling.

T Camilleri

Sep 2nd 2010, 23:51

Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad.

C Muscat

Sep 2nd 2010, 23:50

Prosit PL li qed thallu l-gustizzja tahdem. Dan il-kaz ghadu sub-judice u l-qorti ghandha tghid hux hati jew le wara li tizen u tifli l-kaz. Ma nafx ghala l-PN ghamilha ta' l-imhallef. Din hi kollha tal-PN u lPN biss jista' jghidilna x'fiha l-borma. Taf x'naf li dik il-kunsilliera li kienet nazzjonalista qalet li ttratawaha hazin. Allura skond l-ex president tal-pn -it-tabib frank- PBO ghandu jirrizenja ghax zelaq. Jien ma nafux minn Adam, lil Nikki Dimech, pero zgur li ma giex ttrattat tajjeb. U tafu min qed jizfen fin-nofs u jkompli jbati, .... ir-residenti Slemizi. Gawdu, la ghaziltu partit li saddad ghal-20 sena u min jaf ghal kemm izjed. Biss sahha ta min jivotalu, dan il-gvern kapaci jeqred lil-kull min ma jkollux grazzja mieghu .. bhal-nikki.. u ara kemm nies thammgu...
Good Luck, Nikki u jalla s-sewwa jirbah ghax jien moralment konvint li ma kien hemm l-ebda tixhim. Fejn hemm it-tixhim kollox jibqa sieket ghax ikun hemm il-flus iduru. Nispera li z-zejt jitla fil wicc.

J Aquilina

Sep 2nd 2010, 23:46

To all those below who by some stretch of imagination are blaming the PL for this incident (lol!):

What would be the PN's position should Mr Nikki Dimech be found by our courts to be innocent?

Also, isn't an accused person presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law?

What happened to the Gharb deputy mayor accused of defiling a minor? Has he been presumed guilty before trial too? Is this incident considered to be "the PL's fault" as well?

charles philip zammit

Sep 2nd 2010, 23:44

gonzi qed ikabbar id-dinastija. pero ic cens dalwaqt jalaqlu. anzi fl-ahhar elezzjonijiet nazzjonali gonzi pn ha l-akbar tkaxkira mill-indipendenza l' hawn. inutli jsodd it-toqob bil-qraba. the writing is on the wall and only np bloggers blinded by power are not able to see it.

Adrian Sciberras

Sep 2nd 2010, 23:40

nikki dimech don't be stupid, move on with your life, you see you dabbled in politics and your popularity brought your downfall as you became a threat to the wolfs surrounding you, so they rid of you before you would become too strong.

now i suggest you cool down, get back to your life and work and make money as an accountant/auditor. Do you need politics? With politics you only enter into trouble! Be careful about how you speak, or you end up like Mikhail Khodorsky. I know its unjust, but do not underestimate the power of who decides to rule. Don't let the ppl above you tarnish your reputation.

Good luck
from a fellow accountant.

albert leone ganado

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:57

If it had been simply a case of a public official refusing to follow the honourable and ethical behavior of resigning once accused of bribery I would have expected the PL members on a matter of principle to vote for the motion of no confidence in the mayor. But the events which followed the refusal of ND to resign were in my opinion ,so heavy handed and prejudical to fair treatment of the accused and worthy only of a kangaroo court which declares persons guilty without a due process. The PL members would have been guilty of condoning such type of unethical actions if they had voted for the motion. Abstaining was therefore the correct decision.
Of course from the political point of view the PL must have relished seeing the infighting within the ranks of the PN as probably it won them quite a few Sliema votes without really having to try hard. But then gaining votes by sitting on the fence does make good politics if the opportunity arises. Just remember the Mintoff Sant spat.

Joseph N attard

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:43

A lot of harm has been done to the Nationalist Party. By whom? Time invariably reveals all.

a. portelli

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:41

What could have happened: Mayor suspected of bribery/corruption? - PN suspends him until proven guilty in a court of law. If found guilty then asked to resign from the Party and Sliema Council. If found innocent - all's well and PN prove what a diligent party they are. No harmful press and all according to law and the right to a fair hearing....instead all was done even prior to facts being adequately collected and analyzed in court!.....hmmmmmmmmm!!???!!!??? voters really need to start asking the right questions from left to right!...example why did the opposition abstain, why did they give less 'harsh coverage of the events.......??? i'm just asking here!

edith micallef

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:32

Carachters in the Sliema Saga as interpreted by the blogs

Nikki Dimech - Barabba
Labour Party - Pontius Pilot
Sandra Camilleri - cleopatra
PBO - Ben Hur
Martin debono - the shrewd jew

nigel fenech

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:22

I do not know PBO other than the media. But the sliema case is not the only one he handles. I read he brought to justice the people in the San Gwaann Case, so the Sliema case is not vexed by personal interests. TThere was only one difference. the mayor's attitude. The San Gann mayor bowed his head, the sliema mayor hardened his head....as in webbes rasu

M.Farrugia

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:20

tal-labour astjenew ghax kien jafu li bit vot taghhom kontra xora l-affarijiet kienu se jibqu kif kienu. Li kieku kien hemm lan qas cans li fil-Kunsill kien hemm ic-cans li jkunu huma li jmexxu l-affarijiet kienu jkunu differenti. U l-kuxjenza kienet ghidilhom differenti. Lil- P.L. issa kulhadd jaf kif jahdem.

Mario Galea

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:11

If Malta was democratic, The Government should do one thing after what happened in Fgura & Sliema: Do an early council election. In Australia When Julia Gillard took over from Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister she Immediately called for an election because she saw it as a democratic move even when she knew how the outcome was going to be! Gillard did it because she was not elected as P.M by the people and the same should be done in both localities! That is democracy! Neither localities have Mayors elected by the people no matter what party majority they hold ! They need to have a re election !!

Gerald Cremona

Sep 2nd 2010, 22:07

Oh No. Not another GONZI. Keep it in the family why don't you!

John Micallef

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:58

Hemmmm iva, bhal kunsiliiera laburisti kont nghamel, avilja jien floater. Coe ntiom il- habel ha jitghalqu bih.

U jekk xi hadd jahseb li dil bicca telghat il- partit tieghek il- fuq Pawl sejjer zmerc!! Tkellem mas-slimizi.

Joseph E Briffa

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:58

Et tu Brute!.................

Henry Fenech Azzopardi

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:57

@ CHARLES BUTTIGIEG.

I am not surprised at all that you are all in favour of Sandra changing track. You would be more appreciative if she would change to Labour instead of independent. I fully understand that she is within her rights to change track, but it is ampple clear that she would not have made it to the council had she contested as an independent and she is using the PN votes to reach her goal and not that of her constituents.
This may only be proved in the next elections if she contests as an independent or as a labourite. I cannot see her being accepted as a PN candidate. She will surely get neither my vote nor yours since you are from Mellieha.

But it puzzles me how with your same argunemt you did not say well done to Mr. Camilleri of the Gzira council who also changed track and declared himself independent and resigned from the PL.

Is this Mr Camilleri not worth of your appreciation? Lets wait for the Pl reaction and maybe than you will comment. In this case the whole scenario is even worse because the PL lost their majority in Gzira.

Enjoy

martin saliba

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:53

Can the residents of sliema gather a petition of no confidence in the new major or the whole council ? Is it possable legaly ?

l fenech

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:49

Komplu sejrin hekk ghax dik il-mentalita taghkom. Irrovinajtu il-principju ta bosta konsilli.

leo attard

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:44

@dr saliba....so if one vacillates then that person should resign. good, then this should be applied to those who first proposed the restructuring of the pollution-limits to favor the power station contract, they said it was all within EU regulations, then they got a letter and now they're going crazy and summoning emergency parliamentary meetings. They had a long, long time to study the issue and goofed royally, probably at the expense of the taxpayer as time will tell.....Nikki Dimech had no time to prepare and i can understand his being under pressure! Given enough pressure everyone, and i mean everyone, will break or be inconsistent.......I am not from sliema, i am not into politics, never met nikki dimech ....I just feel he got a rough deal and knowing that so much worse has happened before and quietly swept under the carpet ---- i just can't help but wonder: why him?

joe muscat

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:28

@Joanna Gonzi

Inti qieghda tghid li ghandek il-kuxjenza safja, kif tista` tghid hekk meta ikkundannajt bniedem li ghadu ma nstabx hati, jien ma rridx nidhol fil-mertu tal-kaz , imma kulhadd hu nnocenti sakhemm jigi ippruvat hati, jien nahseb li l-PN ghaggel hafna rigward dan il-kaz , jew kellu interess li jghaggel, nispera li aktar il-quddiem il-verita tohrog, nixtieq nara il-kummenti jekk l-ex sindku ma jinstabx hati

David Caruana

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:27

Kull deni hudu b'gid...

Cert li din l-istorja ghamlet iktar deni lill-Partit Nazzjonalista milli lil Nikki Dimech.

Ir-rizultat tal-lum ghad jaffettwa r-rizultat tal-elezzjoni generali li jmiss.

Slimizi, intom iktar minn haddiehor tafu xi jfisser li tatu l-fudicja taghkom lil xi hadd li la hu blu u aqqas ahmar ;-)

Jalla 3 snin ohra tkunu intom li ggibhu l-bidla radikali fix-xena politika Maltija, bidla li tassew ghandna bzonn!

Dennis Zammit

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:21

Nikki Dimech could have come out of this situation with his head up but wanted to fight on and maintain the power of Mayor. It backfired rather badly.

If he is proved guilty of his own confession that he asked for a bribe during office, he should have the decency he did not have till now and resign from councillor. The people of Sliema just like every town, need councillors who really and truly work for their good.

Hey Nikki, its me . . . . . how about growing up and stop finding excuses. After all, we in 2010 and not in the 70's or 80's where those in the depot are beaten up and tortured. Your latest version (not stated immediately after your interrogation) is not credible to those with their eyes wide open.

Jesmond Abela

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:17

Taf xinu jigri fil kunsill tal Gzira. (next door neighbour) Is super 1 xandara l-ahbar illum, li f'din il lokalita ir rizenja kunsillier tal lejber u tilfu il maggoranza fil lokal. Tafu x'gara fil kunsill tal Fgura jew kollox haxx haxx hemm. U insejtu il pastazata fil kunsill ta l-Imtarfa . Veru kaz ta l-ispizjar milli jkollu jtik.

@ Anthony Caruana - Jien ircevejtu w halastu wkoll l-kont ta dawl,(i am sorry but if you use energy u have to pay for it nothing is free anymore.)Sistema ta Sussidji li wara kollox kollna inhallsu jien u int spiccaw darba ghal dejjem. Issa kemm tahli hallas siehbi jew inkella ghoqod attent xtahli. Pero ma etliex fejn Hu terrimot li wieghed JM.

Karl Consiglio

Sep 2nd 2010, 21:15

Pierre Lauri,

"Il-verita dejjem titla f'wicc l-ilma"

Are you sure thats what Nikki wants to hear?

Jesmond Abela

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:59

MLP bloggers anything to say re Fgura and Gzira councils please !! I believe you don't even know that facts and what is going on in those 2 localities. Come on show some courage ...... for once. Re Sliema council all i have to say is the Pilatu members did not bother about the residents and the locality of Sliema and they just washed their hands.(Pilatu Style)

m pace 2

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:49

Good luck and the sprit and courage will inspire you Nicky and your true sense of ideas will show the traitors that you are in the right directions to defend your rights also in front of the European human rights court of justice as your case is the same as Ceasar was bitten to his death by his fellow friends because he was saying the true

MBorg

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:46

@Alexander Pace Gouder

You are right many Sliema residents want another Sliema resident to be their mayor. Why did she not try to get elected in her locality?

David Gatt

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:40

Dan hu l-mod kif qed jimxi l-PN taht Gonzi. Preferenzi mac-crieki ta gewwa akkost li jitradixxu nazzjonalisti ohra. Xi hadd jista jispjegali kif tista tkecci persuna minajr ma l-Qorti ma tiddikjarah hati?

Stephen Borg Cardona

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:40

Congratulations Dr Joanna Gonzi .

Mario Bonnici

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:36

Ma nafx kif in-nazzjonalisti ma jisthux izeffnu fin-nofs lil Partit laburista f'din il-kwistjoni meta tal-Partit Nazzjonalista ghamlu dawn il-gimghat kollha jdahhku lill-kulhadd bihom bil-glied intern taghhom. Prosit lill-kunsilliera laburisti ta' Tas-Sliema li f'din il-kwistjoni ma kellhom x'jaqsmu xejn.

Dr Francis Saliba

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:35

It should be possible to hold a civilized discussion about the essential qualities of public officers without dragging in party politics or voting on party lines. Nikki Dimech, up to now, is not proven guilty of any crime and must be presumed innocent. That is not sufficient reason for him to stick stubbornly to his post. The point at issue is if the Sliema ex-Mayor should continue to occupy that post when he is under a corruption cloud compounded by himself. This is true whichever of his various statements will eventually prove to be true. The same applies to his allegation that his vaccillation was because sometimes he was able to withstand the pressure of a routine police interrogation and at other times he was not. Local Council officials are expected to be made of sterner stuff especially now that there have been so many instances of suspected corruption where the suspect made the correct choice of resigning not to be a hindrance to the workings of the council.

Manuel Micallef

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:33

PN's Logic:-

PN fight between themselves. + Corruption is mentioned. + Frame ups are also mentioned

=

LP fault!!!

A. Grech

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:28

Ajma fl-ahhar hlisna minnu. Issa kulhadd ikompli bil holidays sa kemm tibda parti ohra fis-sensila.....j

leo attard

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:19

@dr Francis saliba.......Maybe she was! Only God knows so I will not be arrogant or conceited to judge her either!

leo attard

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:09

'nigel fenech........i do tend to agree; it would have been a great gesture if they had taken a stance.....

leo attard

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:05

Ha! If the PM wants to kick out those tainted with corruption.......well, he's got a long way to go! how stupid do they think the people are! shouldn't there have been a trial first and then if found guilty have him removed.....this has too much of nepotism in it considering who got his job! they should rename the party 'Gonzi's A-Team'

Darren J. Galea

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:01

As floating voter I must admit that I expected more of a showing from Labour. I almost could have "crossed the room" but they have shown that they are no better. Same crap - different packaging. I am sooooooo disappointed. Joseph Muscat - this shows you are promising more of the same so goodbye mate! Just reinforces the need of a THIRD party in these islands. Martin I expected more from you. Shame.

Joseph E Briffa

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:59

Buhagiar (an erstwhile driver of a Sliema MP) has his services terminated by the Sliema Council, Months later the Mayor ( a protege of the same MP) is accused by Buhagiar of having asked for a commission: he says he did not. pay.. Mayor investigated by Police denies allegation. Then spends 2 hours in solitary; says he's denied his medication, which his interrogators deny. Mayor says he wanted to be released asap; signs statement admitting allegation. His interrogators appear to be satisfied and releae him.. The Press gets to know; the thing becomes public. PBO enquires about outcome; Mayor tells him he admitted.. PBO says it was the Mayor who contacted him. PN decide there is no place for the Mayor in the PN fold and kick him out. Mayor first promises to resign ; then has second thoughts and decides to stay on as independent . Motion of no confidence in the Mayor is prepared by PN. 3 weeks after interrogation Mayor is arrested and charged in Court which opens its doors after 8 p.m..He is released on bail. Vote of no confidence is passed.. PL members abstain. The same councillors who terminated Buhagiar's services voted to remove Mayor.

Pierre Lauri

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:52

Nikki.... you will always have our support.
Keep your head up high.........
Il-verita dejjem titla f'wicc l-ilma

Noel Barry

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:47

I just cannot understand why MLP supporters are writing on this case. Why dont they write about what happened in the MLP led Fgura council and about what happened in the MLP led Gzira council. The PN had the courage to remove and take action against its own members while the MLP councilors abstained. Although they were not against the motion, they were not in favour either. They just couldn't care less, no matter what they say during press conferences.

k.curmi

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:47

nikky kien il haruf ta sagrificcju, jista jkun li zbalja imma nahseb din go malta kollha qedgha hallas u tiehu!!! Qed nghid xa haga hazina?

Kevin Aquilina

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:45

Well done to the PL. I understand it may have been hard for you to abstain since you have witnessed the stabbing in the back of the FIRST Sliema mayor who fully understood the concept of a democracy, who listened to you and who respected the rights of the minority. However, voting with your minds, rather than your hearts, have saved a lot of twisting of facts. Well done!

Jeremy Lanfranco

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:43

I would really like to know how those who voted in favor of the motion would feel should Nikki Dimech be freed from all accusations by the Court of Law.

Victor Laiviera

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:31

How amuing to see the desperate and hysterical efforts by the PN commentators to try and shift some of the responsibility for this sorry affair on the LP. This is a 100% PN mess. You will have to clean it up yourselves - if you can The PL Councillors did well to abstain.

Alexander Pace Gouder.

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:26

And the saga goes on. Miss Joanne Gonzi has been appointed as mayor by only six NP Councillors. What about the population of Sliema. Is seems that from feed back of the last six days that the new mayor is going to have a very hard time as it seems that many of Sliema NP voters are completely against this move. Time will proof this. And for the PN Statement this continues to proof that They were all out to oust Mr.Nikki Dimech. Really Fishy.

nigel fenech

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:24

Labour wash their hands from all this. Like Pontius Pilot. PL=(P)i(L)ot. Bis-sapuna hasluha idejhom Toni Abela, Joseph Muscat u bella kompanija!!! Disgrace.. Can Labour delare what happened in Fgura. PL accuse Pn in Sliema of an internal rift between councillors when Nikki Dimech is wistleblown on alleged corruption. Then the same PL defend the ex-Fgura mayor resignation on the basis of an internal rift. X'NKONSISTENZA!!!! The readers have a right to know the real backgroud to the Fgura case. Toni Abela seriously needs to explain alot!!!

Anthony Zammit

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:19

Iz-zejt malajr tela f'wicc l-ilma Nikki. Ma domniex wisq ma sirna nafu x'kienet ir-raguni wara dak kollu li ghamlulek!!

J Micallef

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:17

It's positive to note that the PN took immediate action against hint of corruption, irrespective of whether the case is proved in court or not (after an average of six years or more). It is also quite ironic tonote when a drastic action was called, the MLP councillors just stayed there on a fence and did not weigh in on either side. How convenient. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Did somebody mention the MLP propogandistic manifesto of 20 (or was it 35 or 40?) points against corruption? It has already become an irrelevant piece of paper and useless PR theatric..

edith Micallef

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:17

Labour showed no mettle in this issue. You have a man charged with bribery and you get a faceless excuse of abstention. Labour have been hammering on corruption for ever, and when they came ghas-si u no...inhbew... In a game one would be called a coward, in politics one would be called irresponsible. Pastazata ghall-Labour. They defended Nikki Dimech all the way. On a different note, it may be time to really start talking of transparancy in party financing!!!

Robert Zammit

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:15

Shame on PN to do this !! In a way this reminds me of what was done to John Dalli !! Judged guilty by the PN press and all those who are blind and deaf except to what dar centrali has to say !! I'm sure this whole PN internal bickering will loose votes to PN ! It's so obvious the whole thing was orchestrated from 'on top' shame shame shame !!! This is all taking me back to the 70's and 80's when the PN was voted into power to rid us of a near police state ! Any party in government for more than 2 terms gets arrogant let alone after 20 years and over of this party ! This may also have been done to take people's mind off the bigger lies and mega corruption stink , like the power station contract !

A. Mamo

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:11

@ those PN bloggers who are crying 'tal-kukkudrilli'. If you have a knowledge of simple mathematics, the no-confidence vote needed 50% + of the votes, that means 6 votes. So, even if the Labour councillors voted agianst the motion, the relative of Dr (flimkien kollox possibbli)Gonzi still got elected as a Sliema Mayor. HASRA LI LANQAS RAGUNAMENT SEMPLICI BHAL DAN MA TAFU TASLU GHALIH.

James A. Tyrrell

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:10

The joke that is Maltese politics continues!

nigel fenech

Sep 2nd 2010, 19:02

PL = PiLatu......Shame on labour. I heard Joseph Muscat shout out Eddie's quote...Minn ma jiggilidx il-korruzzjoni huwa korrott. labour failed to fight it today. Untrusted and unworthy. Shame!!

Anthony Mizzi

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:50

"There's them that KNOW"

"There's them that DON'T know"

"Then there's them that DON'T know they don't know!"

Will we ever know?????????????

Henry Fenech Azzopadi

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:49

It is not my intention to comment on the Nikki Dimech issue since this is subjudice, however, I do wish the best of support to his parents who I am sure are going through a trauma. My concern is Ms Sandra Camilleri. Once again I declare to have trusted Ms Camilleri with my first preference through past connections with her in the Travel Trade and obviously because she contested on a PN ticket. I feel cheated and deprived of my rights by Ms Camilleri since it is unacceptable to remain as an independent councillor on the Sliema Council with the PN votes who trusted her. SHAME ON YOU SANDRA. I expect her immediate resignation from her post since she is not functioning within the wishes of her constituents. As an example we also have the change of track of the Gzira PL councillor. Again it is not fair for the Gzira Labourites to have their concillor turn independent just because there is a rift between fellow Labour councillors. These individuals should realise that their position in the respective council is thanks to their party votes. Resign immedeatly, and call it a day. This is a point of priciple.

Dr Francis Saliba

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:45

"Ms Camilleri said that she was a lady of principle and was the only councillor using her conscience."

What supreme arrogance and conceit!

cj parnis

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:41

Truly amazing Maybe somebody will be kind enough to tell us why Mr Marmara was booted as Fgura Mayor At least Mr Dimech has never said he was threatened as in the case of Mr Marmara Maybe one fine day PL will tell the Fgura voters why he was booted Of course if PL have any respect towards their voters

J. Mifsud

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:39

Mr Dimech was quoted as saying that 'he was being framed and was psychologically broken'.

I would not like to be a hair in the body of the councilllors who voted in favour of the motion. My conscience would bother me every minute of the day, especially if I would not have the 100% facts presented to me.

MBorg

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:35

I have always been an NP supporter. But I am really disgusted at the way things turned out today. A great injustice has been done to the ex Sliema mayor. Only one councillor had the guts to follow her conscious, Shame on all the others who just followed orders. Do we really have a local council or is this all one big joke ? If local councils are add ons of political parties lets do away with them, they turn out to be of no use at the end.

Jesmond Abela

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:33

PL = Pilatu Leader.......lol

Partit tal Progressivi w l-moderati (wishful thinking) Vera partit ghal gallarija (principji ta xejn ) Isthu jekk tafu .

Ghadni qed nistenna terrimot li weghduna

A.Busuttil

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:32

This is the PN fight not PL. It is clear that this was a fight for power, why should PL get involved. The case now is infront of the court, in other cases the PN use to say the case is sub judice. u halluna. minn hu b'sahtu jhawwal sa kemm jithawwel.

David Mario Fenech

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:31

Ghal darbohra il-PL baqa' gallerija. Ma riex jiehu pozizzjoni fil-vot ta' sfiducja. Ghala? Jekk jivvota favur il-vot ta' sfiducja allura jhossuhom ipaxxu lil PN. U jekk jivvotaw kontra l-vot ta' sfiducja ifisser illi huma qed jivvutaw favur il-korruzzjoni u l-politika mahmuga. Nahseb li ghal gid tal-lokalita', il-PL messu iddecieda kif se jivvota. Hija tal-misthija li l-partit laburista sar partit tal-gallerija. PL messu sar jismu PG = Partit tal-Gallerija.

Ronald Galea

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:31

the case was politically contaminated and was part of a fight for power, the roots of which were in corridors of Dar Centrali.

What a shame!!!

Clare Cassar

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:30

Labour abstains regardless of the fact that Dimech admitted to soliciting bribes. WHAT A SHAME!

Steve Mifsud

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:23

The enemy of my enemy is my friend

victor vella

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:19

If the pn really wants to fight corruption, it should stop the bwsc contract. that's were the country really hurts.

Mark Piscopo

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:18

@Pn Bloggers It was vital for the PL had they abstained from voting. This is because Nikki Dimech is not guilty until he is found guilty in the court. It is immature that Dr Gonzi and the PN group condemned Nikki Dimech just before he was given the sentence in court. It is also a shame that Joanna Gonzi would be the mayor because she has no support amongst the residents of Sliema. My relatives who support PN and live in Sliema told me this. Hope that she will do an excellent job as Sliema major and treat the PL councillors with respect!

Alexandra Montebello

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:15

SHAME ON LABOUR!!!

M. Camilleri

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:15

Honestly! What would have the PL suggested to Mr. Debono to say if NO ACTION was taken by the PN? Joseph Muscat goes over his head in claiming corruption everywhere. This was a great opportunity to stick to one's guns and support the PN. Mr. Dimech admitted and then changed his version. The PN kept its principle. The PL took the political advantage from this situation. New Labour my foot.

Pierre Agius

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:14

unbelievable!!! all that effort by PL during the last general election on "corruption"... and in this case, when PL was at it, it emerged that corruption is not ultimately their intention...put the thirst for power... I tot things had changed....but its all still the same. You almost had my vote!

R Axisa

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:13

Din hija glieda bejn il-kunsilliera tal-PN. Ma narax ghalfejn il-kunsilliera tal-PL ghandhom jidhlu f'din il-basla. La f'dan it-tahwid kollu hemm imdahhal il-PN, cioe' din hija kwistjoni purament politika minn naha ta' partit politiku, ma narax ghalfejn ghandhom jidhlu fiha l-kunsilliera tal-PL. Iz-zmien ta' ragun lill-PL li meta nholqu l-kunsilli lokali, ma kienx jaqbel li l-kunsilliera ghandhom ikunu taht kappell politiku, ghax bhalma qeghdin naraw, saru pupazzi bl-ispaga tingibed mill-partit politiku. Il-kunsillieru ghandhom ikunu kollha indipendenti, jew inkella ejjew innehhu l-kunsilli lokali ghax qed jinhela hafna hin u rizorsi fuq hmerijiet politici minflok ghall-gid tal-lokal.

M Pisani

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:12

BHALL MAL-ISSUE IN KWISTJONI GHANDHA L-GHERUQ FID-DAR CENTRALI, HEKK UKOLL L-ITTRA LI QARA DAN IL-KUNSILLIER TAL-LEJBER GHANDHA L-GHERUQ FIC-CENTRU LABURISTA! LAQQAS KONT KAPACI TGHIDHA SPIRTUPRONT U KELLEK TOQGHOD TAQRA X'QALLEK BIEX TGHID JOE MUSCAT!! PATETHIC!!!

Tony Mizzi

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:09

@ Michael Vella Please note that accused does mean found guilty. Consequently, as far as I know Mr.DImech is INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY!!!!! COnsequently, he has the right to remain Mayor of SLiema. The residents of SLiema decided to elect him & as thus, only they or the court(if found guilty of bribery) have the right to remove him from power !!! However, as one can deplore/not agree with the stance of the PN. SImilar disgust has to be shown for the new PL, which as usual have nothing new !!!!! Abstaining, is by far too easy. For once the PL can have the strenght to take a stand on something ????? By far too pathetic !!!!!

Etienne Baldacchino

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:08

Il-Kunsilleir tal-Labor li qed jitkellem fil filmat qed jitfa d-dubju fuq il puluzija! Alfej dan? Ghax mhux qed isawtu bhal zminu?!?

Robert Gauci

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:07

I am a PN Voter. but this seems to be very smelly. I think the PL councillars made a good option to abstain.

regards to all

Kevin Zammit

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:06

They did right to abstain ... what sort of vote would it be now with all the jabbering and yelling going on? 1. If they voted against it would have been seen as supporting corruption even if none has been proven yet - we are all assumed innocent until proven guilty and that law is there to protect you and me as much as Niki 2. If they voted in favour then they would have been seen as supporting a Nationalist party agenda which would be extremely unfair to the Sliema labor party supporters. 3. Abstaining therefore gives them the fence sitting option to at least have an opportunity to vote again should the Nationalists finally get their act together and behave like mature adults

Albert Farrugia

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:04

It's incredible how people jump the gun to condemn everything that Labour does, without checking the facts. Abstaining is a vote just as voting in favour or against is. The LP councellors are being wise when they simply sit on the fence and observe the PN tearing at itself. But, above all, a vote of no-confidence has to be approved by a majority of councellors, NOT a majority of counsellors present. Thus in this case simply not voting in favour (which includes abstaining) is really a vote against.

Sharon Magri Scerri

Sep 2nd 2010, 18:01

So PN pass through all this hassle to fight corruption and what do Labour do? Nothing!!!! Is this what you are made of Joseph dear??

Michael Vella

Sep 2nd 2010, 17:59

"Mr Debono said it was not right for the police to arraign the mayor just a few hours before the vote of no confidence in him was to be taken as this was something that could have influenced the decision." Didn't the prevailing judge decide the the arrest was legal? If he did, are the PL councillors questioning the decision and inegrity of the judge and his ruling? I have no idea if MR. Dimech is guilty or innocent (i sincerely hope he is innocent and that PBO made a mess of it), but wouldn't it be the right thing to do to vote no confidence in a mayor that is being accused of corruption in court? Or do the PL councillors have no backbone?

Edward Farrugia

Sep 2nd 2010, 17:55

It is amazing to see MLP acting like the old days! The really old days! Not the days of Mintoff...but worse, the days of Pontius Pilate! Min jahsel idejh mill-korrozzjoni...ikun korrott ukoll?????

Manuel Micallef

Sep 2nd 2010, 17:55

I agree with Labour's stand. This is a PN's stand and they need to sort it out. Labour will abstain from vote of non confidence in mayor, but it said it is against the new mayor.....

charlie mifsud

Sep 2nd 2010, 17:51

labour: weak against corruption ... meta tastjeni turi kemm m'intix kapaci tiggieled il-korruzzjoni!

Charles J. Buttigieg

Sep 2nd 2010, 17:51

At the end of the day, wouldn’t an abstention tantamount to a negative vote against the Mayor? On the other hand I don’t expect the PL Councillors to get involved in such PN operettas. The PN got themselves in this mess now let’s see them getting out of it.

Jennifer Depares

Sep 2nd 2010, 17:50

THIS CLEARLY SHOWS LABOUR HAS ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA ON HOW TO FIGHT CORRUPTION. THEY HAVE ENDED UP DEFENDING A MAYOR WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED IN COURT WITH CORRUPTION. KEEP PLAYING CHILDISH GAMES, JOSEPH...

george caruana

Sep 2nd 2010, 17:48

so why not vote against??

Mike Grech

Sep 2nd 2010, 17:48

Shame on Labour, so do they approve what Nikki Dimech did???

MBorg

Sep 2nd 2010, 17:47

@ Sliema LP Councillors

What is the logic of abstaining from the vote ? If you know that this issue is " politically contaminated " why take part in the game and abstain.?

If you do not agree that Joanna Gonzi becomes Mayor and the outcome of your non voting means that she will be the new mayor. Can you please explain the logic behind your action.

Julian Caruana

Sep 2nd 2010, 17:40

WHAT HAPPENS IF MR.DIMECH IS FOUND INNOCENT ????? WILL THE PN TAKE HIM BACK AND ASK FOR AN APOLOGY?????? (its the least they can do) THIS WHOLE STORY STINKS BIG TIME........