Labour want Austin Gatt questioned by police - Ministry: Frank Sammut had contract terminated eight years ago
Mr Bartolo speaking at today's press conference, with Manuel Mallia (left).
Labour spokesman Evarist Bartolo said this afternoon that the police should call in minister Austin Gatt for questioning over the Oil Procurement Board he had set up, and how it was open to abuse.
He was speaking at a press conference.
Earlier, the Finance Ministry said that Frank Sammut, the person at the centre of controversy over kickbacks for oil purchases, had his contract with Mediterranean Offshore Bunkering Ltd terminated in 2004.
He had been appointed managing director of the company in 1997.
Mr Sammut was never an employee of Enemalta but was a member of its board until 1990 and consultant until 1994.
Yesterday, Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said he was never tipped off about anyone taking kickbacks or engaging in corruption.
It was reported yesterday that Frank Sammut, a member of the Oil Procurement Board, received thousands of dollars from Dutch oil firm Trafigura that supplied Enemalta with its fuel oil requirements.
The case dates back to 2004. The prime minister has asked the police to investigate
Dr Gatt said that in 2004 the board was enlarged to 10 members, who included Mr Sammut and representatives of the Finance Ministry, the oil division, the Central Bank and Enemalta.
“We nominated a board of 10 people where decisions were taken together, not one or two persons deciding alone,” Dr Gatt said.
Labour: Police should call in Austin Gatt for questioning
Meanwhile, Labour spokesman Evarist Bartolo said this afternoon that the police should call in Austin Gatt (the minister responsible for Enemalta at the time) for questioning on the oil procurement system he set up in 2004.
Speaking at a press conference with Labour candidate Manuel Mallia, Mr Bartolo asked in whose interest in was for Enemalta to opt for oil-firing power stations instead of gas.
He said that since 1999 Malta had had a number of options to go for gas-fired power plants.
In 2006 MEPA wrote to Enemalta saying the only option for the extension of the power station was the use of gas
Enemalta in its generation report said it would go for gas and plans for diesel engines were abandoned.
In May 2007 Enemalta issued call for offers for the supply of LNG (gas).
The U-turn happened some months later and the BWSC plant using heavy fuel oil was accepted in 2009.
This u-turn was possible because environmental laws were changed, Mr Bartolo said.
In 2005, he recalled, the local BWSC representative had sent an email saying that higher political sources had to be tapped.
Labour candidate Manuel Mallia said the selection of the heavy fuel oil plant supplied by
BWSC had always left open the question of why the government opted for fuel oil when in 2006 it had adopted a policy to go for gas.
He said that last Sunday’s story in MaltaToday featured an invoice that referred to an Enemalta contract with numerical reference and all. This was an important piece of evidence because the commission was directly linked to the sale of oil to Enemalta. What normally happened was that the price of the commodity was upped to make up for the commission paid.
If public finances are not managed well and this commission was paid irregularly than the money had to be refunded.
Mr Bartolo said that in Parliament the Opposition has long been that the way oil was being procured was vitiated.
Former Nationalist MP Frank Portelli, three years ago, had also said that former Enemalta officials had made money from public contracts.
He said that Labour knew of people who spoke to government officials about this abuse.
He asked why all this time had to pass because this matter became public and action was being taken. Why did all this time have to pass? Furthermore, why was the oil procurement process not changed? The Labour Opposition, he said, used to argue that the Oil Procurement Board should report regularly to Parliament.
Mr Bartolo said the police should call in Austin Gatt (the minister responsible for Enemalta at the time) for questioning on the oil procurement system he set up in 2004.
Political responsibility, Mr Bartolo said, should be shouldered by prime minister and Dr Gatt.
Popular Stories
Old buses, drivers to return
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Three new Nationalist MPs elected –...
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
PL reacts as PN labels Franco Debono's...
In Discussion
Old buses, drivers to return
Updated: Minister apologises for...
PL reacts as PN labels Franco Debono's...
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Protected birds shot and trapped as...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
PN postpones salaries as financial...
Updated - PM's offer to Opposition MPs...
171 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 23rd, 17:16
Joseph Muscat insists the police should spontaneously investigate a case of alleged illegal commissions relating to the acquisition of power station fuel (which they had done anyway) without the need for the prime minister to intervene, Then Labour intervenes with their exerting pressure on the police to investigate Austin Gatt at their request. What brazen cheek!
Paul Micallef
Jan 27th, 15:43
@Saliba
Eh just to remined you that one of your own proffesion implicated that there was CORRUPTION GOING ON, not to forget that he is a PN supporter, eh and that he was GIVEN A GOLDEN HANDSHAKE; TO SHUT UP, do you know who???? Brazzen cheek you say????No one is above tha law, and if there is need for change it is for this reasoon, KORRUPTION IN THE SKIP.
Joe Sammut
Jan 22nd, 12:36
Five years ago Alfred Sant during the electoral campaign said “Gibulu l-pulizija” to get JPO out of PBS.
Some parties never change , and history is repeating itself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl8KFobxFQ4
Paul Micallef
Jan 27th, 15:45
@Sammut
Ha ha ha, khemm tiextiqu li tellaq mil PN, dak rebhilkhom l-elezjoni, ghax taf khemm jaf jirrecta u jibki. Insomma thank you JPO.
S Portelli
Jan 22nd, 10:45
I am confused about the fact that this person was appointed in 1997 and terminated his term in 2003. What point is labour trying to prove here? can anyone provide an answer? So we had a judge about by labour, a managing director appointed by labour? JM was in the heart of the party in 1997 . Missierijitna li bnew Malta taghna kienu jghidu - Minn jitwieled tond ma jmutx qwardu.
Peter Buttigieg
Jan 22nd, 09:47
I tend to agree that during the investigation the minister responsible at the time of the facts should be questioned for any input he may give towards the investigation, BUT I cannot accept that a political party, WHOEVER IT IS, demands that the police question a particular person. If a party has any suspicion it should simply report this to the police and let the them do their work,
Mr Ernest Vella
Jan 22nd, 08:35
Il-Lejber iridu jghallmu lil pulizija kif jinvestigaw? Kemm huma esperti qed inghid. Din bhal farsa tal-helicopter fit-triq tal-barrani tghid? L-Opportunizmu Politiku jigi qabel l-interess politiku!!! Min ghazel lil dan il-proxxmu ukoll ha jigi nvestigat...ferkaz 1997 qeghdin nghidu....Min kien il-Ministru dak iz-zmien!!! Dak ukoll irid jigi nvestigat!!!
Peter Zahra
Jan 22nd, 08:31
l Ispizjar milli jkollu jtik! Vera ma jisthux l MLP ghax dak li jghamlu huma jghajru lil hadd iehor bih! Qabel kull ellezzjoni jibdew jitfaw it tajn sabiex forsi jcappsu lil xi hadd b allegazzjoni. Ghaliex l labour ma jghidux min fejn gejjin il flus ghal kampanja elettorali ? Ghandu mitt ragun Simon Busuttil jghid li qed jxomm riha qawwija ta gass mil finanzi tal Malta labour party !!!
twanny borg
Jan 22nd, 08:02
veru dawn in-nies tal-pl ma jisthux! inkredibbli!! lil frank sammut lahquh huma fil-1997 u austin gatt keccih u jridu li l-pulizija jinvestigaw lil austin gatt. dan kollu jindika il-periklu fiex nigu jekk jitla fil-gvern il-pl. il-pl lanqas jafu xi tfisser serjeta' imsomma ma niehu xejn bi kbir specjalment il-mod kif bla hniena tajru lil angelo farrugia.
Paul Micallef
Jan 27th, 15:49
@BORG
Ahna tal PL ma keccejna lil hadd anzi lin NAZZJONALISTI hallejnihom hemm jaghamlu il-hsara taht ALFRED SANT, XARABANK, u ANKA DAK LANTI PL LOU BONDI, Anglu telaq minn jeddu, imma KONGURJA ma GEORGE BORG OLIVER, DALLI, DEBONA,MUGHLET, JPO, dawn missek tara, minn rid isserjeta tajjartuh.
BENCINI tal MUT dar kontrikhom fejn tassal iktar.
Joe Tabone
Jan 22nd, 07:38
Minister Gatt was quoted as saying that he has no objections to helping Police in their investigations of Frank Sammut, who was appointed by LABOUR in 1997.
Joseph Buhagiar
Jan 22nd, 01:44
Very delicate issues.
However now that this has been disclosed, I can only hope that the Authorities will use their powers to find who are the nominee shareholders behind this company.
For all I know, Austin Gatt may not even know about this.
The important is that Government Authorities / Police find out who are the nominee shareholders.
K CASSAR
Jan 22nd, 00:27
As long as pn remain in government no one will shoulder anything and as usual it will be dust under the carpet! However it springs to mind that Dr Gatt has been the centre of where trouble was all through these 5 years. If he has nothing to fear, he should accept investigation without problem. As the person in charge he should definitely not be so vague and evasive.........
Andre Briffa
Jan 22nd, 08:04
He has already said they have his full co-operation
"In a reaction to Labour's statement that he should be questioned by the police, Dr Gatt said he had absolutely no problem should the police wish to question him, and he would collaborate fully and without any qualification with any investigations being carried out."
A. Gauci Cunningham
Jan 21st, 23:25
"Dr Gatt said that in 2004 the board was enlarged to 10 members, who included Mr Sammut and representatives of the Finance Ministry, the oil division, the Central Bank and Enemalta." He was put in the Oil Procurement Board under Gatt's watch and the allegations date to 2004!!! Tal-misthija!!
Joe Sammut
Jan 22nd, 14:47
Tal-misthija ghax kien Laburist?
m attard
Jan 21st, 22:21
The Spinning wheel at tal-Pieta is grinding once again. It is quite clear that in 2004 Sammut no longer formed part of the MOBC board, He was still a part of the Oil Procurement Commission under Min Gatt. spin spin spin spin
John Zammit
Jan 21st, 22:20
Austin Gatt was relieved of the responsibility of ENE Malta Why it's a hundred dollar question.Who is to take political responsibility. Was the Prime Minister ever informed.Were there other offers for the pipeline that were refused ????
Jos Borg
Jan 21st, 21:57
I was three times nominated on boards. One was for one year and on the other two occasions for three years. Appointments are always time barred. In the three occasions not all the members were re-appointed. The appointments were always signed by the Minister and he used to meet us at least twice a year depending on the importance of the board.
M Grima
Jan 21st, 20:40
In a democracy it is a fundamental fact that the responsibility of any misgivings rests solely on the top man, even though he may not even know about them. Whether Austin Gatt knew or not about the alleged kickbacks at Enemalta, he should act like a true politician and accept political responsibility. But, then Austin Gatt is not the type to accept any sort of blame. Anyone remembers Arriva???
G Tonna
Jan 21st, 20:31
Labour fairy tales boomerang.Q
George Cassar
Jan 21st, 19:55
So who will shoulder the responsibility for this mess? Surely not Austin Gatt who is now comfortable directing the PN's campaign! And the PM says that JM will not be doing the honorable thing. And what should Minister Gatt do? Emigrate?
Angelo Xerri
Jan 21st, 19:52
Angelo Xerri
Anybody that know or knew something about corruption and did not reported to the police and kept it until the election for political milage or other reasons, should be just as guilty as the corrupt person or persons. So far as I can see only one poltical party is broadcasting all this corruption.
Take this for all is worth.
twanny borg
Jan 21st, 19:42
"He had been appointed managing director of the company in 1997."
Fil-1997 il-pl kien fil-gvern u dan lahquh il-pl. Allura tal-pl se jigu investigati? Veru inkredibbli kif irridu inbellu kollox. Povru poplu!
M. Baron
Jan 21st, 22:06
Twanny...give us a break...with your argument every parent of every criminal should be arraigned for conceiving. It is who was in government at the time of the malfeasance that is important, and therafter. Or are we supposed to resort to a certain elderly lady in Marsascala to tell whether whomsoever we appoint is going to stay clean?
Malcolm Farrugia
Jan 21st, 19:39
As usual Austin Gatt is avaoiding responsibility, I wonder who will take the responsibility in his stead.
At the same time I have to laud Evarist Bartolo for his professionalism in dealing with all these cases such as the BWSC, La Vallette property fund and Nicholas Azzopardi cases!
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 20:24
Evarist Bartolo was
a minister with
collective responsibility
for the appointment of
this person
in 1997
when Labour
was in office.
.
P. Ciantar
Jan 21st, 20:38
1997 labour appointed this frank 2004 PN terminated his contract . This is a different story from what we were told yesterday by jm
Andre Briffa
Jan 22nd, 08:05
Evarist Bartolo's professionalism? Good one!
M. Baron
Jan 21st, 19:38
Everyone was wondering why go for Heavy Fuel Oil of all things, the literal bottom of the Oil Barrel. Not everyone is wondering now!
elvin borg
Jan 21st, 19:28
Ahjar jippublika dak li ghandu jippublika l mlp ghal power station bla bzonn li jrid jghamel akoss ta kollox jekk jitla fil gvern!!
Eddy Privitera
Jan 22nd, 06:05
Elvin Borg: Taf x'kien bla bzonn, IL-PARLAMENT MOSTRU f'Bieb Il-Belt ( bla bieb !)
Joe Sammut
Jan 22nd, 16:15
Il-Parlament jinbena u jibqa' hemm , waqt li l-Power Station tal-PL bla tendering process trid tmantnilha d-dejn ta’ €600,000.000 u l-perikli li ggib maghha.
Viva Eddie Fenech Adami qallek Joseph.
Richard Caruana
Jan 21st, 19:27
This guy Sammut was appointed to his job by Labour in 1997.
Fired from his job by the PN in 2004.
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 21st, 18:56
Gonzi pn supporters I do not care if, the or they are PN OR PL
the important thing is that Justice to be done !!!
Andre Briffa
Jan 22nd, 08:07
How neutral of you alla jbierek!! We all know that once MLP are in power, your slogan will quickly turn into 'Malta Kollha Taghna!' and order the police on who they should investigate!
Neil Dent
Jan 21st, 18:51
Their rise to power is still weeks away, but already Labour are interfering in a police investigation and 'instructing' them as to who they should pull in for questioning. And all this about an 8+ year old case, involving a Labour stalwart who was given his position by the last Labour administration.
Investigate, of course and prosecute accordingly. But so much for Labour's 'clean' campaign.
M. Baron
Jan 21st, 19:51
Neil, as far as i knw Dr Gonzi instructed the Commissioner to investigate(as if the Commissioner needs to be instructed). So is Gonzi voting Labour?
M Grima
Jan 21st, 20:22
Who is interfering with whom Mr. Dent? So in your opinion just because Austin Gatt is the minister, the police should not include him in their investigations. Moreover, stop twisting the facts. Please tell us who placed the guy you referred as a labour stalwart on the board who was responsible for the procurement of oil. Yes, it was your beloved Austin. I guess your blue blinkers are in the way
John Azzopoardi
Jan 21st, 18:48
So now it looks like Labour is going to go for vendattas after the election. I thought everyone had grown up and matured. I suppose I was wrong> My worry is what will happen on the day the election results are announced. Let us all act in a mature manner and stop the petty nonsense.
Pippo de Marco
Jan 21st, 18:43
If it is proven that consumers were overcharged in order to pay unlawful commission, then Bill payers should demand a refund. It doesn't matter how small that refund might be, it's a matter of principle.
Furthermore, if it is proven that public figures knew of any financial illegalities, then they should be named and shamed and, if appropriate, they should face criminal charges. Promptly.
M. Baron
Jan 21st, 19:36
Pipo, commissions paid are always built into the price, you're right!
JOHAN MICALLEF
Jan 21st, 18:35
jiena nahseb li qabel ma kulhadd jibda jaghti gudizzju bl addocc ahjar nistennew xha johrog iktar il quddiem ghax dalodu fuq tvam savior balzan qal li dak li hareg sissa huwa biss it tip of the iceberg!!jiena li rajt fil bierah fuq maltatoday huwa xokkanti u sar meta sar huwa kaz gravi ta korruzjoni
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 19:46
Min kien fil-gvern fl-1997?
Insejt għax ilu ħafna...
fakkarni ftit.
.
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 21st, 18:35
It is plain to see that the whistle blower act which Joseph Muscat want to introduce in Malta,
for the past and the present ( which Gonzi pn do not want for the past ) it make sense !!!
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121205/local/malta-dips-in-corruption-index.448305
B. Storace
Jan 21st, 18:34
This would be an amusing story if it wasn't for the seriousness of it all and it is only thanks to the forthcoming election that all these past shenanigans are coming to light. At least, once every 4/5 years we see cobwebs being brushed away and juicy stories surfacing. And then the mud slinging begins. Humbug to politics.
Henry J Bonett
Jan 21st, 18:34
Why all these hysterics. It is in the interest of us all that whatever the truth is, it will come out. So what is wrong if the police include a minister in their investigations? Or are we reversing roles and saying WE are untouchables?
jm busuttil
Jan 21st, 18:31
Tajba Labour x'gaffata. Insomma thank Malta Today. Everyone knows what their agenda is.
N. Montanaro
Jan 21st, 19:00
Have you finalised your investigations already, by any chance? Will you please enlighten us?
Peter Murray
Jan 21st, 19:05
I dont know!
Peppi Borg
Jan 21st, 18:29
If one has to remove the blinkers , one would see that there is a serious allegation of corruption which is based on solid grounds. Secondly taking account of what Frank Portelli alleged one doubts how come the prime minister heard of such corrupt practices from Malta Today for the first time.
Edgar Gambin
Jan 21st, 18:18
Niftakar f' Maria il-Maws. Bidel il-kulur tal-ingravata imma mhux il-maws li mimli velenu. Tiftakru hbieb il-kitbiet ta' Maria l-Maws. Varist - Same old Labour.
Joseph E Briffa
Jan 21st, 18:15
Why did Malta Today wait for such a long time to publish the story? and who passed the story to whom? And why did MT not say that this guy was appointed by Labour in 1997 and then kicked out by PN? surely MT has a lot of explaining to do. And what was the point of writing open love letters to the Commissioner of Police?
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 18:15
Evarist is one of those who shoo people away from PL. Many STILL remember when on Xarabank, during the EU referendum, he treathened a speaker that when PL come to power, they will take care of him. Changing the logo is not good enough, PL. A real change means a change from the core. Old faces bring back many scars.
Others are repelled by comment made by some like Mr Privitera. Old PL!
Mr Anthony Briffa
Jan 21st, 18:06
Once there was a gentleman with the name of Evarist Bartolo who said 'izjed ma jinbidel il-lejber izjed jibqa l-istess'.
sammy cassar
Jan 21st, 17:58
1997 min kien hemm fil-Gvern. Jahasra kien gej kollox favur ul-lejber u imbaghad johorgu b wahda bhal din! ANd also if Labour are in power will MALTATODAY come up with the scoops just the same? mmmmmm
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 21st, 17:57
Gonzi pn supporters are asking who appointed this gay was the PL !!!
But I ask who have left him on the Oil Procurement Board ??? AND WHY ???
in 2004 and where decisions were taken together !!
Joe Tabone
Jan 21st, 17:50
So this Sammut guy was appointed under LABOUR in 1997?!?!
J.C. Borg
Jan 21st, 17:48
As I always say: Those who have tangible proof of any wrong doing, should go themselves to the police and tell them everything.
By throwing mud you also dirty your hands.
Dennis Zammit
Jan 21st, 17:47
"Dr Gatt said that in 2004 the board was enlarged to 10 members, who included Mr Sammut and representatives of the Finance Ministry, the oil division, the Central Bank and Enemalta."
How come many are not reading this sentence?
MOB has nothing to do with oil procurement!!
Antoine Vella
Jan 21st, 17:45
This is ironic: Frank Sammut was actually sacked by Austin Gatt.
Victor Laiviera
Jan 21st, 22:33
Not true. Sammut was not sacked, his post was abolished because the company was reorganised, and Sammut was "thanked for his services".
He was made a member of the purchasing Committee later.
Peter Murray
Jan 21st, 17:44
How come no one has heard anything from the chief Protagonist himself--the elusive and ,dare I say, scarlet pimpernel aka Frank Sammut?Or is this the classic collating of the CYA time period and the 3 wsie monkeys syndrome ..Hear all.See all but say eff all!
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 17:43
1997.
Just one figure in so many words.
Who was in office in all of 1997?
.
Dennis Zammit
Jan 21st, 17:50
What was Sammut's role in 1997? What was Sammut's role in 2004?
Joseph Micallef
Jan 21st, 23:06
X'sens jaghmel il-kumment tieghek Mary? Qed taghti parir li kif jitla l-partit laburista fil-gvern inaddaf kull m'hemm? Jekk qed tghid hekk, wiegeb u ghidilna b'mod car ta jekk joghgbok. Malta taghna lkoll ta u maghna tista tahdem, pero trid tahdem b'onestá u integritá mhux bhan-nies ta' Gonzi.
J Martinelli
Jan 21st, 17:38
So Joseph gave Evarist permission to speak?
"Police should question AG"! The PM asked the police to investigate, period. Did he tell the police not to question AG ?
Why oil and not gas? Because EB, it made sense to have an extension sooner than gas could be procured since no pipeline was in place. I suppose if an LP govt was in place they would have built it!
Go tell it to the Marines, Varist.
Joe Tabone
Jan 21st, 17:38
In normal democratic countries, such allegations are investigated by Police, not politicians!
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 17:59
Joe 'Malta taghna lkoll'. For PL, THIS means that they are ABOVE the law. They do what THEY want. Taghna means belonging to PL. That's why they 'refurbished' the curia; law courts; Eddie's home; Times building; BECAUSE 'Malta taghna lkoll'. They OWN the place. Poor Australia house is THEIRS too. If Malta ends up like THIS building, God help us!
Emanuel Farrugia
Jan 21st, 17:38
"Meanwhile, Labour spokesman Evarist Bartolo said this afternoon that the police should call in Austin Gatt (the minister responsible for Enemalta at the time) for questioning on the oil procurement system he set up in 2004".
Non professional politician and Minister, friends, friends, friends. Ghal gol hajt.
Emanuel Farrugia - TARXIEN
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 17:56
Malta taghna lkoll. Evarist reminds me when on Xarabank, during the EU referendum, treathened a speaker, who was in favour, that when PL are in power, they would take care of him. THIS SAME PERSON is now telling us that Malta taghna lkoll. Varist, your face reminds us that PL have NEVER changed. Thanks for your help.
Paul Meilak
Jan 21st, 17:32
Kemm hu sabih dak il-kulur BLUE !
G. Cachia
Jan 21st, 17:29
Iva gibu wahda tajba tal-Labour Party. ghax nahseb li inqas matitkellmu fuq certi affarijiet ikun ahjar ghal-Partit jekk veru thobbuh.
Iva l-isfortuna hi li m'hemm l-ebda alternattiva ohra ghall-Gvern. Ghadkom m'inthomx ippreparati ghax kieku ma titkellmux hekk. Qed tergghu tiggudikaw lil xi hadd li jista jkun jigi investigat.
Freddie Micallef
Jan 21st, 17:40
qed nifhem sew jien jew,jigifieri tridu thallu din l allegazzjoni ghaddejja ,qiesu ma gara xejn?????mela veru wasalna fil qiegh f dan il pajjiz..eh bil haqq ha fakkarkhom fil passat jien ukoll ghaliex thobbu issemmu il passat ta haddiehor.insejtu x'gidba kien qal eddie fuq alfred sant fl'ahhar dibattitu u ma kellux cans jirrispondi
u eddie wehel multa fuq dik il gidba u qatt ma ghamel apolofija,,
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 17:53
Freddie Le, ma tibqax ghaddejja. Ghalhekk Gonzi l-bierah stess talab lill-pulizija tiehu passi. Il-PL talab lill-pulizija tiehu passi fuq certu Sindku li kien fl-ahbarijiet ftit xhur ilu? Insejt meta PL laqghu fosthom ex ufficjal gholi tal-pulizija li kien tkecca, u haduha kontra Eddie ghax keccieh intortament. Meta certa dettalji hargu, regghu keccewh! Old PL tactics.
E Gatt
Jan 21st, 17:27
MLP always try to remind us that there’s been a PN government for 25 years, in order to forget the disastrous Alfred Sant years. They evidently even managed to convince themselves.
Although Mr Sammut is innocent till proven guilty, he was “appointed managing director of the company in 1997”.
1997, just over 15 years ago, was a year when MLP was in power from 1st January to 31st December.
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 17:50
They're TOO ashamed to remind us of the 22 month stint in 1996-8. Probably because by doing so they remind voters about the VAT gimmick, and the tariff hike. Better keep these hidden, till AFTER election. Old PL tactics. Nothing new.
Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Jan 21st, 17:26
Il-pulizija għandha tibgħat u tinvestiga lill minn kien jaf u ippublika din l-istorja l-ewwel u qabel kollox u qabel kullħadd!
Dennis Zammit
Jan 21st, 17:38
That's the work of a journalist Nen. The journalists involved passed on all relevant materials to police. I hope you are not implying investigating the journalist eh?" That could explain why you were never in favour of the whistle blower act.
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 17:20
Varist Bartolo
kien Ministru
meta dar-raġel
inħatar
managing director
tal-Mediterranean
Oil Bunkering
Company Ltd.
Għandu
responsabbilta'
kollettiva.
Għax ma jmurx
hu minn rajh
għand il-Kummissarju
ħalli jgħidlu
għaliex ħatruh?
L-ispiżjar milli
jkollu jtik!
.
Joseph E Briffa
Jan 21st, 17:52
Agree 100%
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 21st, 17:55
Isma minni, tiktibx izjed! Kif tidhol ir-responsabbility kolletiva? Spjegana ftit please.Dawn il-kliem ma qrajthomx: "Dr Gatt said that in 2004 the board was enlarged to 10 members, who included Mr Sammut "?
Thomas Anderson
Jan 21st, 17:20
Everyone reads or understands what pleases him. This person was a board memebr at Enemalta up to 1990 and consultant up to 1994. Who was in Government between that period? Yes under Labour he was appointed MD up to 2004,1997/98 under Labour, who was in government after 1998? He was appointed member of the fuel purchasing board, who appointed him. The answer for all questions GonziPN.
Andre Briffa
Jan 21st, 17:36
Don't be ridiculous! MLP (I say MLP and not PL as this is a typical MLP move, the type of move that kept them out of government for a verrrryyy long time) tried fooling the nation and it has back fired on them!
J Grima
Jan 21st, 17:37
"Everyone reads or understands what pleases him." You hit the nail on the head Sir.
Joseph Aquilina
Jan 21st, 17:46
Gonzi became PM in 2004! and before that he had nothing to do with energy. Ask yourself another question now ... who knew about this? why report it now? If some will stop justice because so suites them now what will stop them from stopping justice in the future.
See what Dr.Gonzi did; he became aware of this, HE REPORTED IT TO THE POLICE! While Joseph was busy giving us his non-sense talk!
Manny Debono
Jan 21st, 17:50
Yesterday's article was presented in a way to implicate Austin Gatt when it was he who fired the guy out of the Government agency. As a consultant Sammut had no influence/power as a Government executive. Its only when he was appointed to the official position of Managing Director. PN should have fired him in 1998.
Thomas Anderson
Jan 21st, 17:50
@Andre Briffa
So telling the truth is rediculous now according to you a PN apologist or is it a case of truth hurts.
Yes Labour has paid for its mistakes dearly, but PL 15 years in opposition has gone and your GonziPN years in opposition are about to begin. By the way you still didnt answer my question.
Thomas Anderson
Jan 21st, 18:04
@Joseph Aquilina and all
please read the whole article before commenting. This Sammut guy was appointed on the fuel purchasing board in 2004 and I presume that he is still in this board as nowhere I have read nowhere that he had resigned from this board. Again MOBC and Fuel purchasing board are 2 different entities and that is where you are making the mistake.
P. Ciantar
Jan 22nd, 07:08
typical labour mentality . So let's be like a labour journalist for once - evarist Bartolo has to be interrogated by police as he was minister in 1997 / what is good for the goose is good for the gander
M Farrugia
Jan 21st, 17:18
Another press conference with a BLUE background.
From opposition MLP are already dictating whom the police should be questioning. We wonder how our police force will be "managed" when MLP is in power again.
Dennis Zammit
Jan 21st, 17:40
Is there a rule where it says blue backgrounds can only be use by party A and not B? Do you have any idea of light engineering and light design?
Joseph Micallef
Jan 21st, 23:10
Inti Ok M. Farrugia? Malta taghna lkoll ta, u l-blue mhux taghkom, il-blue hu taghna lkoll! Ara l-vera sirtu ultra arroganti ta. Ghawdex ghamiltuh taghkom, it-toroq bit-tarmac ghamiltuhom taghkom, l-ingravati blue ghamiltuhom taghkom, il-parlament ghamiltuh taghkom, u l-pajjiż ghamiltu taghkom.
V. Cauchi
Jan 21st, 17:14
1. If the Opposition knew for some time on the goings-on at enemalta, why did it not make use of its parliamentary privilege and speak out there?
2. Time-barring is intrinsically linked with the penalty period which can't be increased except for offences from the date the law is amended. Playing around with this concept may yet give rise to local constitutional/foreign human rights redress cases
Richard Caruana
Jan 21st, 17:12
Hello MLP.
The true story is out. This is an MLP blue-eyed boy who was kicked out of his job in July 2004.
Who do you think you're kidding?
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 17:24
You
couldn't
have
said
it
better.
.
Joseph Aquilina
Jan 21st, 17:11
My questions are very different; For how long did the newspaper which made this story public KNOW about this? Days ago? MONTHS ago? YEARS ago? If these findings were made months ago then WHY did the newspaper in question WAIT SO MUCH to make the story public? and finally did PL know about the story? If yes then why didn't they do like the PM and go strait to the police?
Will we get an answer?
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 17:45
Simple answer. If the newspaper printed IMMEDIATELY on discovering the story, they get full marks from me. However, if they HELD this info for months, I believe that THEY should be questioned by the police as well!
Charles Vella
Jan 21st, 17:08
...okay, am now scared of voting Labour... the machine of lies is now in operation. Am simply switching off to politics, and voting for a safe party... PN. Seeing this press conference on One tv, really scared me. The lies they are spreading is galore! Don't they know that this guy was fired in 2004?!
Dennis Zammit
Jan 21st, 17:25
I pity you! Can you understand simple statements? He was stopped from being director of Med Offshore Bunkering not from the Oil procurement board. Can you see it in the report? He was appointed on this board in 2004 as confirmed by Dr Gatt. Do you agree with this or not? It is from this position which he had an influential position on oil procurement.
J Martinelli
Jan 21st, 17:49
Dennis, please answer a few questions:
Why would the government or the minister be responsible for corruption practiced by an individual?
Where were Labour's scruples when a corrupt to the core minister was pocketing thousands from under the table deals under the very nose of the then PM? This has been public knowledge since the 70s and 80s.
Who resigned then? Who took responsibility? No one.
Andre Briffa
Jan 21st, 17:05
New name, new logo, new leader, new deputy leader, new slogan....Same old sleazy MLP!! No thanks!
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 17:42
Not 'same old sleezy MLP', WORSE! Their NEW leader is GROSSLY inexperieced. If he WERE experienced, he wouldn't stab his righthand man at the start of the campaign, JUST TO BE LIKE PN, and have HIS OWN MEP deputy! Just like a child who sees another boy with a different toy. So he slams his feet till he gets the toy! Very amaturish!
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 17:04
It's the Labour Minister
who appointed this guy
as managing director of MOBC in 1997
who should be called in for questioning,
mela Austin Gatt.
Typical Labour!
.
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 21st, 17:16
It means nothing that MLP appointed this guy....the kickbacks acts were due in 2004. And if the police find out that any of the administration knew about it there is a huge twist. Let me remind you that Frank Portelli already warned that if there was the 'whistle blower act' he would have revealed names in this case. So the govt already had alarms on.
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 17:26
Labour red-eyed boy
appointed by Sant's government
(cheered by Joe Muscat)
kicked out NINE
years ago.
.
Dennis Zammit
Jan 21st, 17:27
Mary Mary!! Who appointed him on the oil procurement board in 2004? Me? you? Dr Sant, who? or was it Austin gatt as he himself admitted. Read article well please:
"Dr Gatt said that in 2004 the board was enlarged to 10 members, who included Mr Sammut and representatives of the Finance Ministry, the oil division, the Central Bank and Enemalta"
N Chetcuti
Jan 21st, 17:51
@Dennis. Don't let them bother you these people never change they read and interpret the way they want. Every one knows who this guy is.
Albert Bonello
Jan 21st, 17:04
Another issue that just came to mind is that in 1999 the price of oil was not that expensive ($25/Barrel) & only started to fluctuate from Sept 2003. Having a look at my elec bills in 1999 the total for 1 year amounted to €226.95. Therefore maybe it was not yet viable to introduce gas or commit to a gas pipeline which we would still have had to pay for indirectly. Food for thought!
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 17:38
At one point, when Sant hiked the tariffs, it was STILL $12 a barrel. Many PL sympathisers were silent then!
Joseph Aquilina
Jan 21st, 17:41
That is the whole point why we did not go to gas before. As always lejber would like to change history. Only in 2008 did the price of oil explode!! Before it was so cheap that it would have been crazy to change everything for gas! It would have broken the country!!
Jane Caruana
Jan 21st, 17:03
A new Labour Government will interfere with police investigations. This should be the title of the story.
Albert Debono
Jan 21st, 17:26
very well said
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 17:37
They 'interfered' in the law courts; interfered in the Curia; interfered at Eddie's home; interered with church schools; who'se next?
Brian Debono
Jan 21st, 17:46
Some things never change. Labour is one of them.
marius mifsud
Jan 21st, 17:47
but even the prim minister instructed commissioner rizzo to investigate
R. Saliba
Jan 21st, 16:59
Good Old MLP throwing mud as usual. Talk about a new movement! They may try to hide behind their true colours/flags/name but at the end of the day a leopard never changes its spots.
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 17:10
Mud? PL? What mud? Malta taghna lkoll (bast taqbel maghhom f'kollox!)
Paul Debono
Jan 21st, 16:56
Labour is never interested in the truth but in a campaign. If labour was against corruption, they would have never accepted people who were about to be charged in court about corruption. Has everybody already forgotten the Sliema local council case??
Albert Bonello
Jan 21st, 17:17
Paul you are so right, but sometimes I also wonder if a number of others who have switch their allegiance and have been accepted within the flock of the PL seem to have done so due to some grudge they hold against the PN and have switched sides just to get even.
N Chetcuti
Jan 21st, 17:53
No Albert, we have seen the light.
joe farrugia
Jan 21st, 18:02
kull min gie mkecci mill PN minhabba xi korruzzjoni kollha marru ghal kenn ghand il PL u hemm sabu lil ,JM jilqahom b'idejh miftuha berah daqshekk huwa affidabbli il PL ta Joseph Muscat.
Julian Borg
Jan 21st, 16:53
MLP interfering in Police work from Opposition - some things never change! Malta taghna lkoll - Indeed!! Perhaps MLP should tell us why they appointed the man in question in the first place!
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 16:53
Evarist Bartolo was Minister in Alfred Sant's government in 1997
when this guy had his appointment at MOBC.
Evarist Bartlo must shoulder collective responsibility...
.
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 21st, 16:49
Old MLP at it's best.
Mr C Camilleri
Jan 21st, 17:00
Why ? Because PL trying to uncover some really bad stuff ? Is this your mentality ? Keep things hidden ? Is this how much you love your country ? You love politics ... i mean PN ... so much that you want this country to remain with rotten roots ?
Shame on you and all those who think the same like you. Its not whether you are PL or PN ... this country is ours and we need to take care of it.
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 17:14
Mr C Camilleri. Why don't PL uncover OTHER really bad stuff? Like the case of the ex mayor a few months ago? Why have they HUSHED everything? Keep things hidden? If THIS how much you love your country (and our children)?
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 21st, 19:07
Camilleri you ought to be ashamed of yourself for not being able to make the simple yet all important distinction between a political party, the police force and the judiciary. The last time we had that, Malta witnessed the worst form of political violence and murders, and frame ups. Same old MLP, yourself included!
Mr C Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 13:45
What a close minded bunch ! You say i am Mlp and you dont know who i am. You put all MLP supporters under one idea and I HAVE TO BE ASHAMED OF MYSELF.
No wonder this country is where is it is now .... keep it people. You make your country proud.
If PL has done wrong things then PL should be investigated as well.
Manny Debono
Jan 21st, 16:49
Sammut was appointed as a full time MOBC CEO in 1997. A.Gatt was Minister for Energy in 2003. A.Gatt fired Sammut in 2004... it had to be him to take action. Then according to Evarist, police should question Alfred Sant for appointing Frank Sammut as a full time CEO and Managing Director in 1997. Labour Won't Work
GL Calleja
Jan 21st, 17:13
I think the Attorney general and the Police should question all those that had anything to do with installing and ruling over this board. It does not matter if they were PN or PL, this is damaging to all of Malta and the Maltese and somebody has to answer for this embarrassing times.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 21st, 17:23
"Dr Gatt said that in 2004 the board was enlarged to 10 members, who included Mr Sammut".
Tony Borg
Jan 21st, 16:45
Is Mr. Sammut still on the Oil Procurement Board?
Edward Gatt
Jan 21st, 17:17
NO, he was actually dismissed from MOBC in 2004.
Tony Borg
Jan 21st, 17:25
@ Edward Gatt
MOBC and the Oil Procurement Board are two totally different things.
Conveniently, Mr. Sammut's role in the OPB was left out from the above statement.
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 16:45
" Frank Sammut, the person at the centre of controversy over kickbacks for oil purchases, had his contract with Mediterranean Offshore Bunkering Ltd terminated in 2004. He had been appointed managing director of the company in 1997"
So Alfred Sant's Labour appointed this guy and the Nationalists kicked him out.
Just goes to show how low Labour can go.
.
Albert Bonello
Jan 21st, 16:41
If this Mr. Samut was appointed as Managing Director in 2007, am I right in saying that this was done under the MLP administration. Therefore the story might have two faces after all. Why was Samut appointed as MD of the MOB Ltd. when MLP was in Government? Could it be that someone else was getting these kickbacks? Funny!!!
Eddy Privitera
Jan 21st, 16:40
WHY WAS FRANK SAMMUT'S APPOINTMENT TERMINTAED IN 2004 ?????
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 16:49
Because he wasn't part of the
'klikka ta' Austin Gatt'
għax he was appointed in 1997
by none other than Alfred Sant's government.
.
Pierre Vassallo
Jan 21st, 16:54
I would rather ask why was he appointed Managing Director in 1997 Mr. Privitera?
Andre Briffa
Jan 21st, 17:29
Give UP Eddy Privitera!! The true story is out...and your party's true colours are out with it! SAME OLD MLP!
Joe M Borg
Jan 21st, 17:32
Eddie What you should ASK is the way PL choose their guys. You WILL remember that PL, a couple of years ago, welcomed among their flock an ex high ranking police officer, and accused Eddie (the other one) of firing him. Only AFTER his actions were revealed did they disassociate themselves from him. Likewise as they did when PN fired a certain Mayor. PL NEVER learn! They NEVER change.
John Borg
Jan 21st, 16:39
I thought Lejber said they do not want to embark on a mud-slinging campaign. Lejber never changes.
Pierre Vassallo
Jan 21st, 16:38
"He had been appointed managing director of the company in 1997" - and who was in Government then?
George Cutajar
Jan 21st, 16:45
Very interesting.
Patrick Cumbo
Jan 21st, 16:38
If the the decisions are taken by 10 members and not 2 then the 10 should go for questioning and scrutiny as soon as possible. Plus who ever was responsible of this magnificent 10 members , including the minister and prime are accountable because if one member of a household is caught stealing fraud the electricity meter is always be taken to court and judged plus the family ends up with light off
George Cutajar
Jan 21st, 16:33
There we go again. The PL , no matter how hard they try, cannot hold back and wait for a serious and in depth police investigation. They now want to dictate how the investigation should be carried out and who should be called in. By any chance will they also prepare the questions to be asked? We await developments with bated breath but interference in the due process is unacceptable.
Paul Debono
Jan 21st, 16:32
When a PN local councillor accused of fraud, he went straight into the waiting arms of Labour and Labour turned him into a hero. The reality is that if there was a party which actively worked against corruption, it was the PN. And again we see the police taking action whenever there is an allegation. Can Evarist Bartolo tell us what he did about corruption when Labour was in power?
Martin Borg
Jan 21st, 16:27
Typical Labour: Malta taghna lkoll, but they want to interfere with police duties.
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 16:55
If this guy can go on Super One and chastise Gonzi for something,
then everything will be forgotten.
Ultimately, he was appointed by Labour.
.
Robert Agius
Jan 21st, 19:40
What? Duties or lack of them?
John Bonello
Jan 21st, 16:24
This case is really shocking but at least the Malta Today should have informed us that this guy was nominated in 1997during the last PL government run by Dr Alfred Sant. Also was not Malta Today informed that his contract was terminated in 2004???...
Albert Bonello
Jan 21st, 16:50
Good point John. Why did Malta Today run such a story without checking the full details first. The impression yesterdays article gave was that this Mr. Sammut was still the MD of MOB Ltd and still taking kickbacks till today. And why was it never mentioned that he was appointed as MD under the MLP in Government. It just gets you thinking why this story was handled in such a way!
George Cutajar
Jan 21st, 16:20
The statement above surely clears the air and making political mileage out of this case has once more backfired in the face of those who thought they have found a whip to lash out at the PN and Austin Gatt.
Let us be patient an wait for the police investigations into the matter rather than run wild with nonsensical accusations.
M Borg
Jan 21st, 16:18
So what?
If he is no longer working with Enemalta, he is still (1) on the Oil Procurement Board and (2) appointed to that board by the same ministry under which Enemalta falls.
(3) Because the board consists of 10 people, does that reduce the gravity of the kickbacks to this single person?
(4) Who appointed this person to the board? Were all rules of engagement followed in this appointment?
Emanuel Micallef
Jan 21st, 16:15
saqsu min kien fiz zmien labour dahal l ghadira bil jot u taparsi ma jafx li jghaddi mid dwana
Daniel Zarb
Jan 21st, 16:08
The chronology makes sense. The deal with ENI fell through in 2003. The damage had already been done unfortunately, and we are still suffering the consequences this very day. Without any doubt, if things are to be done seriously, all the 10 people on the board should be investigated. The obvious suspicion is that there was more than one 'rotten apple'.
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 21st, 16:21
GOOD ONE
John Lusignan
Jan 21st, 16:47
what nonsense....what part of 'not feasible' don't you understand? It wasn't feasible at the time as there was no EU funding for this and if you reply saying that ENI were going to pay for the pipeline then im not surprised that you don't get it. Private companies will simply put the cost of the pipeline in the cost of supplying us gas! In the end we pay for it all - so its not feasible!
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 16:51
The rotten apple seems to have been appointed by Labour, after all!
.
Daniel Zarb
Jan 21st, 17:03
@John Lusignan
That is your assumption created out of thin air. You are being very naive.
John Lusignan
Jan 21st, 17:19
@ Daniel Zarb : I think you are naive to think that a private company gives anything for free. Whatever cost they incur ultimately gets passed on to the consumer..............otherwise they don't make a profit! Basic economics. Same with the new gas plant labour is proposing - 300M (probably a lot more) will ultimately get passed on to the consumer i.e. us.
Daniel Zarb
Jan 21st, 17:52
@John Lusignan,
So let me get this straight...you are willing to accept a very superficial explanation by Enemalta, knowing that ten years ago, this proposal was barely looked into, let alone studied. But that's ok. NOW we won't even accept figures, but we also demand workings (who cares about commercial sensitivity, right?) Unbelievable...
Joe Pace Asciak
Jan 21st, 15:55
Dwar il-korruzzjoni wiehed ghandu ghaliex ihossu konfuz. Il-media laburista, u dawk vicin taghhom, din il-legislatura ghamlu kampanji personalizzati. Izda wara, ohrog il-ghageb, l-istess persuni akkuzati b’korruzzjoni saru l-eroj bla tebgha tal-mlp u l-media tieghu u vicin tieghu. Tghid ghaliex?
John B. Borg
Jan 21st, 16:18
Tista issemmi min huma dawn "l-eroj" tal-MLP jekk joghgbok?
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 16:47
Dar-raġel kien inħatar fin-1997 fl-MOBC.
Min kien fil-gvern fin-1997? Il-Labour ta' Alfred Sant!
Imma Muscat nesa li l-Labour kien fil-gvern fin-'97.
Anke Varist nesa... u kien Ministru!
.
Thomas Anderson
Jan 21st, 17:29
@Mary Camenzuli
U min kien fil-Gvern fl-2004 meta din il-persuna ghamlet din l-allegata korruzjoni?Dan il-persuna jidher li ghadu f'dan il-bord tax-xiri tal-fuel, u min ghamlu dan il-bord tax-xiri tal-fuel?
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 17:30
Fi żmien Alfred Sant
iż-żejt tant kien irħis
(12-il Dollar barmil)
li żgur li ma kienx
jagħmel sens
naqilbu għall-gass.
Lanqas issa ma jagħmel sens
meta se jkollna
interconnector cable
li bih nixtru l-elettriku
lest mill-Ewropa
bla bżonn li
nipproduċuh aħna
f'power station hawn.
L-interconnector cable
se jkun qed
jissupplixxi l-elettriku
anqas minn sentejn oħra.
.
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 21st, 17:42
Thomas Andreson:
M'għadux.
Dak hu li ma qalulekx tal-Labour.
Ħatruh il-Labour.
In-Nazzjonalisti keċċewh.
Get your facts right.
U ftakar min kien fil-gvern fl-1997...
.
Thomas Anderson
Jan 21st, 17:56
@Mary Camenzuli
Qieghda thallat il-hass mal Gass L-MOBC hija entita differenti mill-Fuel procurment Board u jidher li din il-persuna ghadha f'dan il-bord allura qabel toqghod tifrah ahjar tara naqra il-fatti ezatti x'inhuma biex tkun kreddibli.
Daniel Zarb
Jan 21st, 18:05
Mary m'ghadux mal-MOBC. Hadd ma semma xejn fuq il-board. You're so gullible!
Please choose the reason of your report below: