Labour MP demands investigation into concession of Students' House
Labour MP Owen Bonnici has asked for an investigation by the Public Accounts Committee or the Auditor-General into whether government rules were broken when parts of Students' House at the University were handed to the University Students' Council, which then rented them out for commercial purposes.
In a letter to Charles Mangion, chairman of the PAC, Dr Bonnici observed that Students' House is governemnt property and there are strict government rules on the transfer of properties.
It had emerged from a parliamentary question answered by the Minister of Education that part of the building had been handed to the University Students' Council for purposes of administration, he said. The decision was taken by the University.
The Students' Council had then rented out the lower floor to businesses, which paid their rents to the council.
Dr Bonnici said government rules were not followed in the granting of these properties and the decisions on who the properties were let out to and at what price was taken solely by the students' council in a process which was not transparent.
Dr Bonnici said said the investigation should come out with recommendations to ensure good governance.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Second group of migrants arrives
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
49 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
alex Borg
Dec 20th 2011, 23:13
meta kienu jiehdu l binjiet biex ghamlu l kazini tal lejber ma kienux joqod jfittxu hux !!!
Victor Laiviera
Dec 21st 2011, 09:40
Bħal dak li hemm fil-Pjazza tar-Raħal Ġdid?
Ooops - skużani - dak tal-PN!
Joseph Borg
Dec 20th 2011, 11:30
MMMMAAAA XXBIIZZAAAA ANGGUSSSS geejjj illl bbbabbbaawww!!!! Gejjinn il PLLL u halluna ...jiena dhalt f dik il link balla reports hemm....il kwistjoni mijiex is sistema....HADD ma huwa qed jghid li dak li qed isir huwa hazin! anqas nipretendija mil KSU li anqas jifhmu artiklu bl ingliz....imma x tistenna min raprezentanti f kunsill li dejjem jilghaqu lill Gvern! komdi hekk hux!
il mistoqsija hija cara...jiena ittinix link ta AGM ....tuna link ta kif hargu t tenders biex jittiehdu l postijiet.....min ittenderja....x kienu l offerti u ghaliex tkun intghazlet offerta min ohra dak li rridu nkunu nafu, xejn inqas u xejn aktar.....issa jekk ximkien f dik il website hemm din li informazzjoni illinkjana ghalija u jiena personali at least inkun happy jekk kollox mexa kif suppost.
HUWA DRITT TIEGHI bhala cittadin u tax payer li nkun naf FLUSI fejn imorru.
Ghax fuq ir rapport tal KSU tal 10-11 hlief ftahir t kemm hadmet il ksu u ippuzar ma Gonzi ma hemmx. Hemm fiex intefqu il flus...u ta dan prosit imma ta kif inghataw it tenders , jekk tender kienx pubbliku fuq il gazetta tal gvern, min applika , kemm applikaw u x offerti kein hemm imkien ma sibta sorry fl AGM report. jekk xi Bravu tal Univerista jillinkjani, forsi jikkonvincini li kollox isir trasparenti...Imma meta narha li kunsill mimli nies xbajna narawhom jilghaqu fuq NET TV u jippuzaw bid dahka ma raprezentanti tal gvern minghajr provi ma nemminkhomx bhal ma nemminx lill sehibkhom tnt mahbub salvatur ta Malta DR GONZI.
Stefan Zammit
Dec 20th 2011, 13:08
Did you try to contact KSU directly? If they refuse to give whats what then you have the right (and probably duty too) to accusations. At the moment your accusations are nothing above those of a redneck screaming his head off. And it's people like you that is what's wrong with politics in Malta. You first accuse than await for an answer rather than simply ask.
Joseph Borg
Dec 21st 2011, 08:50
I sent the following email to KSU
waiting for the relative document and answers.
Since on the times of Malta , members form KSU are asking us to cantact KSU directly. I am please requesting the following information.
- When the call for tenders were issued?
- How the tenders were choosen? KSU did or KSU appointed an autonomous board of selection?
- Were the tenders was made public on the Government paper (please quote which paper)
- How many companies applied
- What offers did KSU received for such tenders and why they choose one from another?
thanks in advance
victor bonello
Dec 20th 2011, 11:02
Why does a simple question of correcting a wrong have to be changed into a political battle.
If these rooms were rented out for administration use, why should they be used for anything other?
In to days world, and hopefully in a cleaner future, the law is there for everyone - why must these students who will be in charge of our country react so childishly and turn this into a political issue.. they should have been th ones to protest in the very first place.. but thanks to whoever, to day arrogance, disrespect for authority and corruption have become accepted as they are order of the day.. God Belss Malta!!!
pat muscat
Dec 20th 2011, 09:20
There is nothing wrong with the students managing students house, indeed it is laudable. On the other hand however, the KSU should not be afraid to make its accounts and tendering process audited and open for all. Unfortunately, accountability is not yet part of our culture and the KSU-representing future professionals-should set a good example.
Joseph Borg
Dec 20th 2011, 11:50
difficli li jiehdu good example meta tmur tara il booklet tal AGM u qishek qed tara l istess leaflet li baghtu id dar il PN wara l Budget! taf x jonqsu? l arma tal PN fuq il faccata!
Vivienne Bajada
Dec 19th 2011, 21:31
Please, let’s keep this issue to student participation and student services as should be.
On 30th March 1994, University Council granted KSU permission to administer Students’ House following a memorandum presented by KSU to said Council. Since then KSU being self-sustainable has been using these premises to their maximum potential in order to accomodate students and student organisations, and generate the necessary income to carry out the workplan it presents all students at the beginning of its term.
Like Anthony and Roberta pointed out, both being KSU Alumni, the premises are not simply used as office space. They also house the Canteen, Senior Common Room and a bookshop (all under University administration), the Junior Common Room where student events take place throughout the year, a Health Shop, photocopying services, computer outlet, DegreePlus office and student organisations offices. Correct me if I’m wrong but as far as I’m concerned, all of these are providing much-needed services to the student. Money generated goes to funding the events created throughout the year (all featured on the KSU website and KSU facebook page) – and I don’t simply mean culture and entertainment events; education, discussion and debates all promote life long learning and a holistic education to University students! With regards accountability? You only have to ask and KSU will be more than happy to provide you with the information requested.
And since Dr. Bonnici well knows where the KSU office is since he has been received there graciously on several occasions, I suggest he gives them a call – all their contact details are available on the KSU website.
We could do well with dealing with more pressing educational issues rather than such frivolities.
Vivienne Bajada
KSU Secretary General 09/10
Paul Giordimaina
Dec 20th 2011, 09:19
Did you wake up Owen Bonnici?
Victor Laiviera
Dec 21st 2011, 09:55
Just one short question which will resolve the whole matter.
Please indicate when and where a PUBLIC call for tenders for the allocation of the commercial spaces was made?
Thank you
Joseph Borg
Dec 21st 2011, 13:11
tfittex ha tibqa sur Laiviera! tpecpict infittex fuq il gazzetti tal gvern u fuq il website li fkull artikolu qed jitfaw!
jiena staqsejthom mistoqsijiet semplici via email aktar min 5 sieghat ilu u hadd ma ghadu rrisponda xejn.
Basta contact KSU and you get your answers.
Fqajtuni bl answers! ghandi l inbox tal email full up bir risposti li baghtu!
Jurgen Farrugia
Dec 19th 2011, 21:09
I am delighted to see PL trying to judge on government property being given to students. Because the last I heard, labour goverment was always against these things but Labour goverment always took goverment property to build his own offices and Kazini on it, or to sell land for a few bucks so they can earn some votes in elections. Last case was the case of the old miserable freedom press.
Anthony Camilleri
Dec 19th 2011, 19:34
Dear all,
It is quite impressive how this forum has degenerated into political name-calling without any discussion of the issue at hand. I am surprised that Hon. Bonnici requested an Auditor General's investigation to find out what he could easily find out from a quick visit to the KSU website. All the council's annual reports, including financial reports are public and can be accessed at http://www.ksu.org.mt/resources.
It is true that you will find companies selling their wares in students' house - this has been done for at least 10 years (that I can speak of personally - quite likely its been going on longer), under a longstanding agreement which is public knowledge. The university has allowed the council to administer students' house - not on behalf of the university, but on behalf of the student population and the student associations - as the space on campus they can call their own, and as is common in universities everywhere.
KSU is pretty much the only organisation of its type in Europe that is fully self-funded, and is expected by university and by government to turn to the commercial sector for its support - the model is so unique, that I have myself spent hours explaining it to members from other student councils around Europe on countless occasions. The commercial support KSU obtains is through sponsorship agreements with a number of commercial organisations - covering support of numerous KSU and student organisation activities - with a number of exclusive rights for marketing within students' house being given as part of these agreements.
At no point is property rented out, or land rights of any sort created - in full compliance with national legislation.
The point however is this - everything I have said here is public information - available off the council website, and I am sure KSU would happily have said much the same thing, and acquainted the Hon. member with the information if he had considered to ask. The way the request has been made implies wrongdoing against the public interest which has never been the case, and insulting to every student representative that has used this system to help represent students throughout Malta in past years.
I would suggest to the deputy to stop wasting the auditor's time, and just pick up the phone or browse the web, and publish what he finds.
Anthony F. Camilleri
KSU President 2005-6
Angus Black
Dec 19th 2011, 23:40
Well said Mr Camilleri.
The Labour Party parliamentarian demonstrated how friendly the Party is towards our students - Malta's future. Surprisingly Prof Scicluna did not add that the students' stipends are unsustainable and if the Labour Party is elected to govern the stipends will be history and turned into loans.
How else can Joseph reduce the W&E tariffs? Students beware!
Angus Black
Dec 19th 2011, 19:09
A classical example of Labour's 'friendliness towards small business'!
Certainly Joseph's 'second University' will include concessions at a good high rent to enable him reduce the W&E tariffs.
George Azzopardi
Dec 20th 2011, 08:31
It's pretty clear that PN are on it's defensive with a negative campaign of trying to frighten people .. you seem to think that people out there are still blind and brain washed as some of you are ... keep it up and thanks!!!
David Bezzina
Dec 19th 2011, 18:38
JUST FOR THE SAKE OF ACCOUNTABILITY......THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT STILL DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IT MEANS,LET ALONE PRACTICE IT !
Joseph Borg
Dec 19th 2011, 18:30
Niggosta kif in nazzjonalisti kif jiftah halqu xi hadd tal PL targhhom gass down jigru ha jfittxu jikkumentaw fuq it times ha jbezzaw in nies bil babaw!!!! QRAJTUH KOLLU L ARTIKLU JEW LE!!!! jew tifhmu biss li jaqbel lilkhom!!! kull ma qal huwa li il kuntratti li jinghataw il pivat ghandhom ikunu PUBLICI ghax hija art PUBLIKA!!
IMKIEN ma qal li l flus ma ghandhomx imorru lejn il kunsill tal istudenti!
Jigifieri ha nifhem sew....in nazzjonalisti li qed tpatptu hawn kuntenti li nofs tuzzana nies jiddeciedu art publika lill min tinkera u bliema prezz minghajr ma johrog tender!!! Jekk iva mhux ta bxejn kuntenti fil poter halli il hbieb ikomplu jgawdu w l ohrajn jibqaw lart! dik demokrazzija! Ghax hekk qed tghidu!
U ma jigix xi bravu jsemmi il propjetatjiet tal PL ta...jekk mhux tal PL ghandhom jittiehdu wkol. U ssemux x gara 30 sena ilu ghax ma jinteressanix...jiena ISSA qed inhallas it taxxa u ISSA jinteressani fejn imorru flusi u mhux fin 1980!
joseph saliba
Dec 19th 2011, 17:45
Transparency is a new word in Maltese politics. It was brought to light by doctor Fenech Adami and got thinner under Dr Gonzi admin through European regulations. Hope it does not thicken again with future govs.
joseph saliba
Dec 19th 2011, 17:38
Justice for ever -
1. Past - untitled house owners
2. Present - KSU concession
3. Future - whoever is in government
j brincat
Dec 19th 2011, 16:45
@Oliver Grech
"This is the future government Dr. Bonnici and Dr. Muscat? Tridu ccahdu l ftit income that KSU has?"
How do we know that the income is 'ftit' when the relative information has not been divulged?.
Besides, are the KSU above the law or has been this property been 'transferred' because of their leanings which is know by one and all!
(jb)
John Borg
Dec 19th 2011, 17:11
Labour's apologists always know it all.... and it shows the true colours of labour. So labour asked this question in parliament not because they have national interest at heart but because they perceive the students council to be run by nationalist leaning students. Well said Mr (or Dr?) Brincat!
Michael Magri
Dec 19th 2011, 17:39
Sur Borg.. Since the GonziPN`s Regime has gone into a very bad habbit of hiding most of his political doings from parlament and thus, the tax payers themselves, then IT IS the Oppositions`s Sacrosant duty to ask questions in a Supposedly Democratic Parlament. As a matter of fact, these last 3 years or so, a LOT of very serious, Hushed.. Hushed.. matters have been divulged through PL`s parlamentary questions. So your argument here is totaly futile and foolish, to say the least..
But then... I`m sure that you know all of this... It`s just that you love to `spin`.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Oliver Grech
Dec 19th 2011, 18:30
You can ask for the KSU annual report and you would know Mr. Brincat. Naf x jien nghid mhux qed inparla fil vojt.
John Borg
Dec 19th 2011, 18:36
All criticism of labour is foolish of course... Labour occupies the hugh moral ground. Labour refused to hand over the clubs that were taken from normal people, but it's mps ask questions about an area handed to university students!
Joseph Borg
Dec 21st 2011, 13:55
staqsejthom serrah mohhok ghaziz Oliver imma li staqsejt jiena ghadni bla risposta ghalih.....tghid ghaliex?
John Borg
Dec 19th 2011, 16:32
I could not believe that a young Labour MP who is aspiring to be taking decisions for our future would be asking such a question! But then I realised this is Labour showing its true colours from one of its younger and newer faces! More of the same really.
Labour messed up our education in the past and is jealous that our children are succeeding, in spite of their efforts to turn Malta back into a third world country where the government dictates whatever we do.
Brian Gatt
Dec 19th 2011, 17:10
I think you should be taking classes yourself if you cant understand the above article. let me try and make it simpler for you:
- Dr Bonnici is not trying to stop KSU from renting out.
- Dr Bonnici is asking for an investigation to be sure that everything was done in a transparent way.
If everything was done above board then everything will remain as is,
Did you understand now hanini or you need more explanations!!
Mario Grima
Dec 19th 2011, 17:52
You see what happens when you put on your political blinkers Mr. Borg, you miss the wood for the trees!! We are talking about possible malpractices (or corruption, call it what you like) which no one accepts but because you are drenched up to your neck in the PN quakmire your vision might be blurred.
IF there is a scent of corruption, the PL has every constitutional right to ask questions in parliament for the benefit of the public. I am sure that if it had been the PN who asked this same question if the PL was in power, you would have argued differently.
With regards your last pargraph I do not need to comment on pure nonsense.
John Borg
Dec 19th 2011, 18:42
Blinkers? Malpractices are always committed when perceived nationalists are involved of course. That is what labour has managed to drum into its supporters head. New labour is made up of old stock who governened malta with an iron fist in the 80s, when malpractices and corruption were tangible and part f every day life. today the modern pl wants to make us think that we are living in those bad old days again
Armando D`amico
Dec 19th 2011, 15:58
Is he serious ? this is what their legislation will be about?
Labour Mp's should clean there house before cleaning that of others
Oliver Grech
Dec 19th 2011, 15:10
This is the future government Dr. Bonnici and Dr. Muscat? Tridu ccahdu l ftit income that KSU has? Mur ara kemm ser izzommu l- istipendju mela? Shameful. So you really want to take away these small amounts of money that are being used very well by KSU in assisting students. This is the new labour? Sounds very much the same to me!!
Roberta Rizzo
Dec 19th 2011, 15:20
and oliver, it isnt only money. STUDENTS HOUSE caters for loads of student organisations too!!
Lawrence Fenech
Dec 19th 2011, 15:40
@Grech.
L-opposizzjoni qieghedha hemm biex dawn l-affarijiet ma sirux u li l-affarijiet isiru sew, ezempju il-500 fil-gimgha mit 2008 li Gonzi u shabu hadu minn wara dar il-poplu bhal hafna affarijiet ohrajn. Lilek tak 1.16. minn Jannar 2011.
alfred seguna
Dec 19th 2011, 15:43
What ever is wrong is wrong and there is no room for justification.It doesn't make sense that I steal money to give it to someone else. If I steaingl it is wrong and the fact that I give it as charity doesn't justify it.That is what is wrong with some people.We must call a spoon a spoon etc.The fact that the wrong is done by someone of my creed or religion or political opinion does not justifies any wrong doing or abuse.We try to interpret everything politically.Each one must be honest with himself even when discussing a topic.
Ms Maria Vella
Dec 19th 2011, 15:47
Quite frankly I am not very enthusiastic about the Labour party but having said that I think a reform needs to be carried out where stipends are concerned. Where in the world do we pay students to study, without some form of payback?
No wonder we always try to get everything for free because that is how we are bringing up our youth.
By all means support their studies but make sure you get something back, student worker schemes, part payback of stipends etc etc.
Let them do part time jobs like they do abroad, I don't see people failiing their courses just because they got a part time job
Victor Laiviera
Dec 19th 2011, 16:26
Either you have undestood nothing of what this is all about or, more probably, you are trying to spin.
Dr Bonnici is simply asking HOW the people who got the concession were chosen. There are rules which are supposed to be observed when Government property is leased out, to make sure it is done in a fair, CLEAN and manner. If this was done, nobody has anything to worry about. On the other hand, those who are getting all hot under the collar oniously fear scrutiny. One wonders why.
Richard Caruana
Dec 19th 2011, 18:18
Sur Laiviera,
Kemm se ddumm ittambar fuq il-kazin tal-PN f'Rahal Gdid?
Ma tafx li dak inbena fuq sit fejn kien hemm kazin tal-PN fl-antik, li kellu l-famuza arkata b'kamra li kienet 'bridge' mal-kazin tal-Banda? Jekk ma tafx ahjar ma titkellem xejn. Mhux talli hekk, talli qabel dik li llum hi pjazzetta fejn isir is-suq kienet il-bitha tal-kazin tal-PN u kienu jsiru serati ghall-pubbliku, inkluzi song contests fis-sittinijiet.
Dak il-kazin ma ttiehed 'il hadd bl-infami 'requisition orders' li bihom l-MLP ghamel tant kazini.
Roberta Rizzo
Dec 20th 2011, 08:17
@ Victor Laiviera
all he had to do was ask around. KSU would have shown him the answers he needs.
alfred seguna
Dec 19th 2011, 14:47
NO PROBLEM.It is the rule of each day.Everybody does what he likes as long as he is on our side.NO ACCOUNTABILITY, NO RESPONSIBILITY , NO TRANSPARENCY.What is new.It is the order of every hour under this administration.Every hour you discover strange things happening Why are OATHS taken when elected as an M.P.I think the church should do away with the kissing of the cross.
Joe Vella
Dec 19th 2011, 14:57
alfred seguine, if you want to talk about accountability, one should start at home. Why doesn't the Pl start giving back properties that it took from people and the state?
Mario J Spiteri
Dec 19th 2011, 15:47
Dear Mr. Vella, as you had heard or read the PL had mentioned that there are some court cases & as such there is a court decision should be honoured. It is different than what is happening during this dictatorship administration. Surely this is the "new style of politics" that had promised us Dr. Gonzi!
Ivan cachia
Dec 19th 2011, 16:05
More of the same........'il-lupo cambia il-pelo ma non il-vizzio' goes an italian saying and 'the more things change, the more they remain the same.......here's our aspiring future ministers who are desperate to take over power and lead the country......instead of picking on these petty things its better if we hear of how they intend improving the situation in our country in light of the chaos reigning around the world!!! The pact with the devil that their previous leader was quoted as saying as long as he wins government is still roaming in their minds of the supposedly new PL......what a joke!!! I would love to take a chance and give my vote to labour one day......BUT.....these people seem that they haven't learnt their lesson yet....truly a pity!!! Should they win the next general election it would simply be by default not 'cause the people really believe that they can make this island a better place to live.
Victor Laiviera
Dec 19th 2011, 16:28
@Joe Vella
What about the government-owned building in Paola Square used as a club by the PN?
Michael Magri
Dec 19th 2011, 17:53
@..Ivan Cachia.. You and your likes are trying so hard to tell us to beleive that your GonziPN government is some kind of a `god-sent` `Gift` to our Country.......!!!!!!!!!! Haa.. Haaa .... ehhhh ... But then, in reality, IT IS realy GonziPN & his Clan who are SO Desperate in keeping their `Golden Chair` of Power Sur Cahia,.....!!!! Mhux hekk......!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hallina.. Will you please..
Ivan cachia
Dec 20th 2011, 13:21
@ Michael Magri
Firstly he is not MY GonziPN to start off with 'cause if you read properly what i wrote i repeat that i'd love to give my vote to labour one day BUT......i repeat......they are not trustworthy and i prefer the devil i know than the one i don't.......secondly when you refer to me and my likes it clearly shows that i am conversing with a staunch PL supporter 'cause when you and your likes feel threatened with certain comments you go all defensive and on the brink of being rude.......tipo the statement that 'professor' Charles Mangion once said.....that PN have something wrong in their DNA.......and yes i prefer at this stage seeing GonziPN on that chair than Joseph Muscat and his clan 'cause whenever PL was in power hlief tkissir ma kienx hawn fil-pajjiz!!!!!
Roberta Rizzo
Dec 19th 2011, 14:10
...and 20 offices for student organisations. prosit alik spokesperson for higher education. vera andek l-studenti al qalbek.
alex Borg
Dec 20th 2011, 22:33
dak il pupazz ta Evarist... kulhadd jaf kemm Varist ghandhu l istudenti tal universta ghal qalbu... specjalment fin 1996-98.... Ma jinbidlux... qatt ma hamluha l Universita'....