Updated: Gatt denies discussing oil procurement tenders with Hamrun businessman
Updated - Adds MaltaToday reaction - Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt this afternoon said he was categorically denying reports claiming that he had met a businessman, George Farrugia "in a bid to ensure the lucrative sale of oil to Enemalta".
"I categorically and without any reservations, absolutely deny that anything of the sort ever happened or that any conversations I ever had with anyone at all - let alone George Farrugia - ever even remotely touched on the subject," Dr Gatt said with reference to a story that was published on Malta Today.
"If Malta Today has even a shred of proof in this regard I expect them to give it to the Commissioner of Police so he could investigate me. If they do not have such proof then I expect them to retract it immediately," the minister said.
In a statement, the minister said that George Farrugia and his four or five brothers are more popularly known as the owners of John's Garage and are a prominent family from Ħamrun.
"Any politician worth his salt, and that includes all Labour politicians, and contesting the first district will have met George and his brothers a number of times and talked about one hundred and one things with them.
"What I can vouch for and can swear to is that in my long political carreer as Minister I have never, ever talked with anyone, in any sector I have been responsible for, about tenders - let alone the tenders being mentioned. I have always refused to even entertain a conversation about any tenders and any complaints I have, over the years, received over the handling of tenders I have always had a stock reply - go to the Police, the Corruption Commission or the Ombudsman."
Dr Gatt said he would be seeking legal advice as to whether the claim of Malta Today was libellous and if it is he would be more than happy to sue.
MALTATODAY REACTION
In a reaction, Saviour Balzan, MaltaToday editor said:
“The emails MaltaToday has in its possession show that businessman George Farrugia met with minister Austin Gatt, but MaltaToday has not, in any way, inferred that Gatt was aware of or involved in any illicit deals in relation to fuel oil procurement to Enemalta.
“MaltaToday’s report does not suggest that the minister was involved in any illicit behaviour.
“The fact remains that George Farrugia lobbied with both Enemalta and politicians. The fact that MaltaToday uncovered this lobby and its vested interests should be applauded and not castigated. Until now we have been extremely careful in our choice of words and the presentation of documentation, but it is not up to us to investigate and do the work of the police.”
143 Comments
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R. Lewis
Jan 28th, 10:57
It is better that no one mentions corruption here in Malta as nothing happens as usual. We hear of corruption every day and up to now no one was either jailed or assets confiscated. Whats the point making us furious for nothing. "Finanzi fis sod". How is it that no one ever took legal action against Dr Debono when he always mention corruption, no wonder he distanced himself from the klikka.
Giocchino Attard
Jan 28th, 09:36
Dr Fenech Adami ghal min ma jiggiliex il korrozjoni huwa korrot enough said
joseph saliba
Jan 28th, 10:21
Kemm qal affarijiet sbieh Dr Fenech Adami. Qalhom biex nimxu maghhom. Ma qalhomx biex bihom minghalina inniggzu 'l ohrajn.
j camilleri
Jan 28th, 09:27
Hope all their Assets are on hold till they give a proper explanation where did they get all those millions from.
R. Lewis
Jan 28th, 11:14
@J.Camilleri. Mhux mis salarju siehbi. Biex xoghol hotba taghmel u mela miljuni.
carmel parnis
Jan 28th, 09:25
According to today's TOM The ministersaid that he would be seeking legal advice and would sue if told that the claimin his regards was libellous. In a counter statement Malta Today managing editor Saviour Balzan said h is newspaperhad not :in any way: inferred that the minister was aware of ,or involved in , any illicit deals on fuel procurement
M. Baron
Jan 28th, 09:22
Foremsot in mind in any investigation is the question "cui bono"? Who benefits? So "Cui Bono" that the environtmental policy was changed to lift the ban on the use of Heavy Fuel Oil? And who changed it ?
R. Aquilina
Jan 28th, 08:58
If the good minister says he's innocent , so why is there so much reluctance by the PN to introduce the Whistleblower Act. Something does not add up here.
Mark Borg
Jan 28th, 08:34
X'inhuma jistennew il-puluzija biex jiffrizaw l-assi ta' dawk investigati? Tajjeb mela l-ewwel inhalluhom jahbu u jwarrbu daq li serqu minn fuq dahrna mbaghad ninvestigawhom! Dawn qzieqez li ma ddejqu xejn jghassru poplu shih b'pizijiet li naqsulna l-kwalita' tal-hajja taghna ilkoll. Ghalix issa ghandhom jigu ttrattati differenti milli ttrattaw lilna?
Anthony A. Mifsud
Jan 28th, 03:35
Body language says it all or else the gentleman had missed some sleep, his eyes are bloodshot, errrr I wonder why?
Ninu
ray vassallo
Jan 27th, 23:40
Now I am beginning to understand the decision to reverse the initial decision for Delimara power station to work with fuel oil and not gas.
Mary Ann Borg
Jan 27th, 22:24
X'jipprova l-Lejber biex inehhi l-focus minn fuq il-weghda bazwija li jlesti power station ohra fi zmien sentejn! Alice in Wonderland ghadha tohlom u l-poplu se jhallas qares. U ma ninsewx, Joseph Delivers qalilna li jekk ma jirnexxilux idabbar rasu. U jhalli lilna nisfnu.
Peppi Borg
Jan 27th, 22:21
When will the government publish all Enemalta related reports? Why is Lawrence Gonzi protecting Austin Gatt? Is it because the latter is the heart and soul of Gonzipn?
Mr Alistaire Gill
Jan 27th, 22:11
Jista' xi hadd jilluminana x'dahhlet Malta talli halliet il-pajp tal-gass ta' bejn il-Libja u l-Italja jaghddi mit-territorju taghna?
Mr Anthony Briffa
Jan 27th, 21:46
This is typical labour and their agents in every campaign - Mintoff in 71, KMB in 92, Sant in 96. They sling mud because they know that libel action takes years to be settled in our courts and it suits them in the short term whilst the gullible believe them. The MLP will be remembered as the most corrupt administration in the whole history - institutionalized corruption in 17 years of regime.
Ethelbert Schembri
Jan 27th, 21:33
A political animal that has been 37 years, of which almost 25 with unquestioned power, in politics knows well how to hide his dirty hands.. So it will be near to imposible to find any hard proof against him, and that is why the whistleblower act must be introduced as soon as yesterday. Because someone somewhere knows something on someone !!
M Grima
Jan 27th, 21:31
Ftit, ftit iz-zejt mahmug tiela f'wicc l-ilma. U kif jitla jibdew nezlin dawk il-korrotti li minn fuq dahar il-poplu haxnu bwiethom. Kif jghid il-Malti il-garra gejja u sejra fl'ahhar tinkiser. Minn abbuza jrid ihallas ta ghemilu.
Justice delayed, justice denied.
Police commissioner and Attorney General please note.
M Grima
Jan 27th, 21:24
Advert : Wanted, private investigators who have got a good grasp of what happens in the dirty world of oil business and are willing to work extra, extra hours to investigate a workload of fraud and corruption allegations. FBI and Scotland Yard agents are most welcome to apply.
M Grima
Jan 27th, 21:17
These corruption allegations are getting nastier and bolder by the day. The way things are shaping up I wouldn't be surprised that by election date we'll have half of GonziPN's cabinet being questioned by the Police commissioner.
D Buhagiar
Jan 27th, 21:17
Excuses excuses....no wonder the WhistleBlower's act was so CONVENIENTLY forgotten
M Grima
Jan 27th, 21:13
We believe you, we believe you, we repeat, we believe you.
Mario Pandolfino
Jan 27th, 21:00
Niftakar li qabel l'elezjoni ta 1996 ukoll sar hafna plejtu ta korruzzjoni min Dr Alfred Sant u meta tela fil gvern qabbad mhallef ta fiducja tieghu biex jinvestiga u ma irrizulta assulutament xejn.
Maria Mangion
Jan 27th, 20:30
Dawn in nies huma min huma ghandhom ihallsu ghal emilhom. Il poplu bata kemm bil kontijiet tad dawl u l ilma kif ukoll bid dhahen minn emisjonijiet tal power stations. Nispera biss li dawn l akkuzi jkunu investigati minajr indhil, specjalment mill politici.
Louis Craus
Jan 27th, 20:27
Gvern li tief kull kredibilita. Tilef il- boxxla. Tilef- kontroll. Tilef ir-riedni. Tilef id-direzzjoni.U diehel go hajt li mhux ser johrog minnu. Kisser pajjiz u qasam Partit.
Hawn xi hadd jghid li mhux vera?
Joseph Aquilina
Jan 27th, 20:39
Any proof????????????? Or mud throwing as usual!!!!!!!!!!
J Grima
Jan 27th, 20:58
Joseph Aquilina : That's why an investigation is needed. Don't try to be the judge of something you know nothing about.
Mario Buhagiar
Jan 27th, 21:03
Joseph, pn lost majority in parliament, many pn activists left pn (Jpo, debono) and some even joined PL (cyrus, deborah), the polls show 10-14% difference in favour for PL, we got 2 downgrades and debt is a record of 5 billion. is that enough proof? lol
Marco Farrugia
Jan 27th, 21:45
You don't need to prove things that you can see, smell and feel.
Mr Alistaire Gill
Jan 27th, 21:57
It’s not mudslinging sur Aquilina. More like "mane oliati".
So the PN twice refused an offer of a free gas pipeline and now they want to pay for it with some EU help.
There's no commission on free goods.
J. Pace
Jan 27th, 23:47
tipikament lejber...u politika mahmuga li huma jaddottaw bhas-soltu...
lejber never changed and never will!
David Magro
Jan 28th, 06:36
San Tumas ried imiss b subajh biex jemmen...bhala xiehda smajna li hemm tapes rekorded, invoices...anqas dawn m huma fattibli Sur Aquilina? Min hu responsabli t`ghemilu irrid ihallas.
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 28th, 07:59
@Aquilina.
Patience my friend patience!
Jerome Licari
Jan 29th, 22:10
LC,dak int qed tghidu jew xi lejburist bhalek.Ghidilna fuq il-kas ta Anglu Farrugia halli nkunu nafu min jaqsam il-partiti jew ighdilna jekk tistax taqa iktar fil-baxx meta tidher f'ritratt b'dahka sarcastika minghalieh ser jidhak bil-poplu wara li ghamel 10 snin bhala MEP euroshettiku u issa bl'ghatx ghal poter li irid bil-fors ikun l-izghar PM,b'triq fil-background maghmula bil-flus tal EU.
Angelo Xerri
Jan 27th, 20:14
Angelo Xerri
The police are going to have a lot to do, six more weeks to the election and a new corruption case a week or more. It is more like before Christmas when Santa is on his way, and then silence after all the victory hugs and kisses and corruption is forgotten for the next five years. Except paying taxes.
George Cutajar
Jan 27th, 20:06
One notices that an election is round the corner the moment Labour start alleging corruption against members of the Government.mthey did it with Michael Frendo, the hbieb tal-hbieb and now Austin. If there was any wrongdoing our sytem is strong enough to act and will act but it is very incorrect to throw allegations of filth around when nothing has yet been proved.
Mr Stephen Borg
Jan 28th, 05:54
I fully agree with you because that is the modus operandi for the Nationalist party. Where this issue is concerned and given the circumstances at hand where the current administration defended the use of heavy fuel oil at all cost I eould rather beleive labour yhen beleive the Nationalist party. In the last five years we have heard only denials but after sometime the contrary was confirmed.
RONALD ARRY
Jan 27th, 20:00
spicca zmien il buzulotti kin qal gatt!!!fi 9 ta marzu ha jispiccaw il buzulotti gatt
M Farrugia
Jan 27th, 19:35
Dejjem ghal zmien l-elezzjoni jaqilghu kollox il-lejber, il-bini bhalissa weqaf minhabba fihom ghax it-tajn kollu juzghu biex iwaddbu, mela jkunu rieqdin fil-5 snin ta qabel???
G Tonna
Jan 27th, 19:35
Iddahquniex tal Labour. Dejjem jaqbdu ma min hu onest. Meta tasal l-elezzjoni jibdew johorgu l-hmerijiet u gideb ha jakwistaw il- voti.
Gordon Farrugia
Jan 27th, 19:31
The whistle blower act needs to be signed RETROSPECTIVELY and without delay - ministers and mp's have to be held accountable for their actions at the least. It is probable that there might be many corruption cases below the surface that have contributed to our huge national debt and these need some serious investigation...
Pierre Fenech
Jan 27th, 19:25
The majority of people are behind you Dr Gatt and also beleive every word you say. LOL :) You and your party are not credible any more in this sector. I wonder why the whistle blower act was not impemented, and when forced, Gonzi PN were always talking about introducing it for future offences. Why were you so afraid to introduce for past offences?
M Borg
Jan 27th, 21:12
Why are you so sure that what Malta Today reported is true ?
If Dr Gatt is saying that he had nothing to do with what was written why do you believe Malta Today and not Austin Gatt ?
James Grech
Jan 27th, 19:25
Il qasba ma ccaqcaqx ghalxejn, hux hekk jghidu? U ha nghejdlek ila iccaqcaq!! Li ma nistax nifhem hu kif il-Gvern ikkuntenta u ma hax il passi biex jaghamel il ligi tal whistleblower. Issa qed jghid li dak li ma wettaqx fit tminn snin li ghaddew ser jimplimentah jekk jerga jitla, avolja ma semma xejn fil program elettorali dwar dan. Qisha imfattra il haga, ma tidirx sinciera din il haga.
Carmel Zammit
Jan 27th, 19:12
Could anyone enlighten us whether it is a coincidence or circumstantial evidence the fact that every entity under Dr. Gatt's responsibility is or has been involved in queer cases shrouded in mystery?
Manwel Sinagra
Jan 28th, 05:44
"Unambiguous circumstantial evidence. " As the guy from OLAF would say.
E. Vassallo
Jan 28th, 06:31
No, this is a concentrated attack as part of the MLP's campaign. remember in the last campaign, Mugliett was he target. Nothing has been heard since
carmel cassar
Jan 27th, 19:10
As a Dr. of law,it shouldny take you long to come into conclusion, the least by tomorrw morning. that is if you really interested in doing so.
Joseph Grech Attard
Jan 27th, 19:00
" ... go to the Police, the Corruption Commission or the Ombudsman." Why not also to the Government Auditor and the EU! In which fields does the Eurstat say that there is corruption in Malta?
Peter Simpson
Jan 27th, 18:54
Snitching on your minister's dodgy doings has never been rewarding in Malta. No wonder GonziPN's ministers are terrified of the whistle blowers act; other wise they would have enacted it as law in the last five years, or at least give in a mention in their 'new' electoral program. For GonziPN 'European values' come a la carte?
C Muscat
Jan 27th, 18:53
Dejjem jhgidu morru ghand il-pulizija...mela l-pulizija taghna hi passiva; jigifieri din tistenna l-bajtra taqa f halqa?
Ronnie Callus
Jan 27th, 20:00
U mhux hekk Sur.Muscat. Il-halliel iridu li taqbadulhom int u jekk mhux ukoll tehodulhom l-ghassa wkoll. Nghidulu lil Dr.Gatt li anke qattiel li jkun ghamel reat jinnega li ghamlu.
Carmel Zammit
Jan 27th, 18:52
I cannot wait to see the whistle blower act coming into force. I cannot wait either to have the prescription lifted on cases involving corruption. Let it be proved that 'zmien il-buzzullotti' spicca bis-serjeta.
Renald Borg
Jan 27th, 18:49
"What I can vouch for and can swear to is that in my long political carreer as Minister I have never, ever talked with anyone, in any sector I have been responsible for, about tenders - let alone the tenders being mentioned."
Uzgur Austin mil yellow pages isib kollox
Ronnie Callus
Jan 27th, 19:45
Ghidlu Renald.Dan kien li kisser lil Partit u biex taxxaqa Dr.Gonzi tah spalltu, mhux bhal fil-kaz ta' Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici miskin. Li qal Franco Debono kollu minnu u imnalla kien hu u shabu li waqfu lil dan il-Gvern ta' Par idejn sodi. Veru ma' nafx xi trid tkun biex terga titlob lill poplu jafdak ghall 5 snin li gejjien. Biss ma' nahsibx li baqa boloh issa l-poplu suppost tghallem.
Joseph Aquilina
Jan 27th, 20:36
You know, repeating anything said by Joseph Muscat is not a sign of any intelligence. Now question yourself; why is MaltaToday publishing this crap and not going to the police with any proof??
Have you seen any proof (no the news by One media does not consist as proof) that puts Austin Gatt in any bad light!!
roderick ciantar
Jan 27th, 18:49
ghara gejja .. ghara waslet .. is sia tighek ukoll AUSTIN GATT !!!!!!!!
Joseph Aquilina
Jan 27th, 20:13
You are ready to believe this even with no proof shown to you ... just shows how you judge people ... according to whether OneTV determines if they are guilty or not!!
David Spiteri
Jan 27th, 22:27
@Roderick .. You really need a tablet my friend .. it's ara gejja and then is-siegha .. but I think your logic needs more correction than your grammar! Mud-slinging before election time is such an old story .. and you just believe it .. and you're probably a floater or ex-PN? (yawn)
Jerome Licari
Jan 29th, 22:18
RC,your writing spells out your character....Unless you never read let alone heard it,keep this in mind before you decide to write your nonsense...
WHEN ONE THROWS MUD,THE FIRST TO GET DIRTY IS HIMSELF
so go take a shower!
Ronnie Callus
Jan 27th, 18:46
U mhux ovvju li Dr.Austin Gatt se' jinnega kollox. Biss il-qasba ma'caqcaqx ghalxejn - jghidu.U mela jigi jghidilna morru ghand il-kummissarju tal-pulizija,mhux ahjar li ghaddew il-ligi tal- 'whistle blower' milli noqghodu ninhbew jew nahbu xi haga li qeda fuq il-kuxjenza taghna. Spiccat il-kredibilta ta' hafna,kellu jkun Dr.Franco Tabone biex iccaqlaq lil partit u forsi jgibu f'sensih.Proset Fran
Josef Borg
Jan 27th, 18:37
Iz-zejt beda tiela f'wicc l-ilma. Issa ha nibdew nifhmu r-raguni li hadd m'ghamillu libell lill-Franco Debono. Ma naghmlux mod li ghandu ragun hux?!!!
M. Grech
Jan 27th, 18:30
Why all this resistance from GonziPN against the Whistleblower’s Act? Years passed and we keep hearing about the need for such legislation. Talk & more talk and we are still without it! To put some salt on the wound, the PN is not including it in its Electoral Programme. I mean, this is not bread and butter but surely it is directly related to all this irresponsible management of our money.
Francis Raeymaekers
Jan 27th, 18:30
All this tells us is that Political Party Finance Reform is now CRITICAL in Malta. This is how you cut the Hydra's head where it counts. All donations of €20 or more to any political party should be catalogued and reported. This is far more important than utility tariffs (or tablets which are just a gimmick!). WAKE UP MALTA!
Marion Storace
Jan 27th, 19:50
@ Francis Raeymaekers - you believe that a mere €20 donation is more important than the exorbitant utility tariffs? You must have been having it very cushy these last 5 years when 89,000 families are on the poverty line due to your dear GonziPN, including Corruption and lies galore. Remove your dark blue blinkers and post sensible comments
Ethelbert Schembri
Jan 27th, 18:30
I am curious if he will go under the tent and weep like a crocodile and say he never did anything of this sort ... Is history repeating itself ???
Don't know but the more they try to get out, the more they are sucked in this controversy!!
Again .. Fool me once shame on you- Fool me twice shame on me.
Charles Massa
Jan 27th, 18:26
Mhux ta b xejn GONZIPN qatt ma ried jghaddi Whistleblower Act.!!!!!!!
Joseph Aquilina
Jan 27th, 20:38
PL where in parliament as well. They could have pushed it through. PN does have an excuse; they where busy safeguarding the jobs and giving us back a strong economy. What is the excuse of PL for 5years of doing nothing!! Nothing!!
Noel Abela
Jan 27th, 18:23
The whistleblower is now proving to be more relevant than ever before. Its is not in place only because GonziPn were not at all eager to propose it and pass it through Parliament even though one of their very own had done so much work on it.
m attard
Jan 27th, 18:17
And PM Gonzi wants us to believe that should they win the forthcoming election the Whistleblower's Act will be one of the first laws to pass..... U Halluna, il-qasba ma ccaqcaqx ghalxejn!
Joe Busuttil
Jan 27th, 18:17
Is that a smile on your face ,APG,or is it a gnashing of teeth? And why worry? You declared that you will win the elections for the next 20 years .
Michael Campbell
Jan 27th, 18:07
around five years ago we had a similar scenario with JPO.
no smoke without fire.
psychologically, the reaction of ag is commensurate with guilt.
what would be the right reaction?
immediate legal action.
Nicholas Magro
Jan 27th, 18:19
Legal action will bring more light on this issue (scandal).
We beg you: Go to the COURTS!!!
This is what Jor the public wants, Hurry before you miss the ARRIVA, Wist!!!!!!!!!!!
m borg
Jan 27th, 18:04
Zmien il-Buzulotti Spicca U HA NEMMNUK :)
Victor Vella
Jan 27th, 18:02
People want transparency not empty vain words of GonzPN and his oligarchy that have become the brand of a corrupted state as already stated by foreign standards.
Peter Midler
Jan 27th, 17:54
No wonder why the Whistle Blower's Act has met resistance! No wonder why some politicians are fighting this electoral campaign as if their life depended on it!
Be credible PN solemnly and clearly promise the nation that within a specific timeframe you will:
1 Pass this Act through parliament
2 Remove prescription where corruption and politicians are concerned
Dejjem jekk tintrebah l-elezjoni.
Noel Abela
Jan 27th, 17:51
To night I look forward to a very long sleep. Now that Austin Gatt has assured us that all this saga is a load of rubbish I have relinquished all my doubts.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 27th, 17:47
Aktar u aktar nies qed jifhmu ghaliex il-ligi tal-Whistleblower baqghet fuq li xkaffa !
Joe Vella
Jan 27th, 18:55
Eddy, can you tell me what is the Common Denominator in all this; Sargas/SNS-Lavellin Inc./Power Plants/John Dalli/Joseph Muscat/PL? For your information, somehow they are all connected directly or indirectly.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jan 27th, 19:14
Issa jitl Muscat u jghamel fl ewwel gimgha, xejn xejn ikolna gvern nadif u jibqa nadif. hoss fl ilma.
Noel Abela
Jan 27th, 17:45
We the people have had enough of these soap operas. Dr Gonzi and his associates shoukld make way sooner rather then later becuase the Maltese nation and its people desvere much much better.
Noel Abela
Jan 27th, 17:43
The whistlkeblower isa in now proving to be more relevant than ever before. Itrs is not in place only because GonziPn were not at all eager to propose it and pass it through Parliament even though oen of their very own had done so much work in it.
Paul Borg
Jan 27th, 17:42
Qajmuni wara l-elezzjoni please !! u nispera li jkun hem nofs tuzzana mbarazz il-habs meta nqum.
Raymond Bugeja
Jan 27th, 18:23
Wake up on election day as your VOTE COUNTS and see the mbarazz on their way to prison never wake up after as you will miss the end of the SONG OPERA
Noel Abela
Jan 27th, 17:41
Joseph Musact has been asking so many questions over the past three weeks, which questions to date have not been yet answered. What is Gonzi waiting for. If he has no respect for Dr Muscat at least Dr Gonzi should be man enough to answer these question for our own sake, the people who he is expecting should believe everything that he is promising and everything that he is saying.
jm busuttil
Jan 27th, 18:45
" Joseph Musact has been asking so many questions over the past three weeks,
No he is mud slugging as always happens before an election by the PL leaders.
Noel Abela
Jan 27th, 17:37
Are being expected to believe everything that GonziPn has to say to protect its image. We have had enough of half truths, lies or isleading statements. These people are enot credible any longer. They never were and never will be.
P Farrugia
Jan 27th, 17:31
Dwar l-ex Telemalta hemm xi haga tinten tghid.........
Time will tell...........
U xi nghidu ghad drydocks/Fairmount..........
U is-Seamalta...........
Nicholas Magro
Jan 27th, 17:28
Spicca iz-zmien tal-Buzullotti!!!! Isa hej ghax qedt jaghmilhom hu!!!!
Minn jitla' hafna fl-gholi, jiehu tizbita kbira.
Ajma hej ghoxrin sena bik ghandna bzonn halli tnixxef zgur lill-Malta!!!!!!!!
Paul Caruana
Jan 27th, 17:26
So typical of the way we do things here...allegations and counter allegations of public corruption, which conveniently never hold up to legal scrutiny. In an ideal world, the PN and PL would agree to a series of measures to counteract such corrupt acts in the interest of the nation. Unfortunately, since this would go against their interests, it will never happen!
Anton Attard
Jan 27th, 17:19
Dr. Gatt - you are reminding me of the 'I did not beat my wife syndrome'
Anthony Paris
Jan 27th, 17:17
Another case of smoke without fire for the Auditor General
Noel Damato
Jan 27th, 17:06
Can the people see all the reports. I expect that the prime minister will publish all reports on EneMalta. Is the prime minister protecting Austin? Franco was right.
GL Calleja
Jan 27th, 17:26
Mr Damato a person is deemed innocent until proven guilty. The day of judgement will come and a lot of people will rejoice.
Victor Laiviera
Jan 27th, 17:02
Whether Austin Gatt was personally involved or not, the fact remains that all this happened 'on his watch'.
The political responsibility is clear and undeniable.
Joe Pace Asciak
Jan 27th, 16:53
Jidher li l-MLP spiccawlu l-argumenti favur il-Power Station il-gdida, allura jdoqq track B. “I have always had a stock reply - go to the Police, the Corruption Commission or the Ombudsman."
A. Mizzi
Jan 27th, 17:08
MLP spiccawlu l'argumenti?
Lawrence Gonzi ghadu lanqas beda'... ghadu jikkopja :)
Go the the Police? For the police to do something, the Prime Minister has to tell them to do it!
http://tvm.com.mt/news/pm-asks-police-commissioner-to-investigate-enemalta-official/
)
K Grech
Jan 27th, 17:08
Hekk tghid l istatistika wkoll.
M. Cachia
Jan 27th, 17:13
@ Joe Pace Asciak - how naive for you to make such a statement?
If anyone seriously thinks that these stories as emerging are not true and unfounded, than better he seeks some professional help.
If we are to believe anything AG says we might as well believe in Father Christmas!
Arriva..................... la verita', finalmente!
GL Calleja
Jan 27th, 17:31
Mr Cachia shame on you not believing in Father Christmas. because he does not display a white beard does not mean he does not exist. Until these accusations are proven to be true they are until that time unfounded accusations and a man is deemed innocent until proven guilty. I am not too crazy about AG either but nobody has proved anything yet, at least not in this case.
David Spiteri
Jan 27th, 17:39
@M Cachia .. It is so easy to say empty words and to question everything - do you yourself have any proof? I think it is you who are naive to believe the mud-slinging.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 27th, 17:46
Joe Pace Axiak: Nahseb li GonziPN spuccawlhom l-argumenti ghax kull argument li ghamlu SPLODA F'WICCHOM ! Tant hu hekk li Tonio Fenech BEZA jmur ghal dibattitu ma Konrad Mizzi fuq il-programm 'Reporter'
jm busuttil
Jan 27th, 17:54
Joe Pace Asciak is correct
History repeating itself mud slugging.
PL are way behind what they will be offering the country. They just want to win on non electoral issues.
If PL does manage to win not even a year will pass when the same PL commemorators on this board will either disappear or else will be beating a different tune. But than to late.
Michael Magri
Jan 27th, 18:14
" go to the Police, the Corruption Commission or the Ombudsman."
Mr Pace Asciak.. That is your GonziPN`s `sweet` excuse of a supposedly reply for all these years, and IT IS NOT ENOUGH.. We want MORE than that.. We want to have the `Whistle Blolwers Act`, (the type PL is proposing ofcourse), to be enacted A.S.A.P. That IS the ONLY Solution to curb Corruption, Habib...
Maria Borg
Jan 27th, 16:44
All these allegations confirms the urgent need of a proper Whistleblower Act. Only God knows why Gonzi PN once again omitted to include it in his electoral programme ! Until then Minister Gatt may reply with facts on the
Arriva fiasco?
Fairmount Contract?
Environmental Policy to accommodate BWSC?
Until then the kitchen seems to be getting hotter and hotter...
GL Calleja
Jan 27th, 17:33
Maria, like I mentioned many times before. If Dr Gonzi enacted the Whistle Blower act, half of our politicians present and past will be in prison unless they get the chance to bribe the judge. Won't be the first time.
Joseph Micallef
Jan 27th, 16:41
How can I believe him? Is this the same guy who promised 7,000 jobs at SmartCity?
A. Mizzi
Jan 27th, 19:13
You learn fast!
Andrew Azzopardi
Jan 28th, 09:25
What a ridiculous argument. You obviously ave no idea what smart city is? you have no idea what was promised and you have no idea what is happening?
before you comment, get your facts right, not simply tune in to one station and believe all you hear.
B Testa
Jan 27th, 16:39
Who will believe all this mockery. We taxpayers are the ones suffering and they expect us to believe whatever they say. How come super Austin needs legal advice on this when it is his profession? Or all these years in politics has made him forget his legal profession?
That is the reason why the majority of Maltese will be voting against this government...to eliminate arrogance!!!
GL Calleja
Jan 27th, 17:36
Sometimes even Lawyers need the services of another Lawyer...Unless they decide to represent themselves and that is not too advisable. Besides he can afford to engage an expensive lawyer. It is us second class citizens that cannot. But remember, what goes round, comes around.
John Zammit
Jan 27th, 16:39
Minister Gatt should be interrogated by the Police as they done to Dalli. We need a serious interrogation NOT JUST A COSMETIC ONE. The details going out are too much hot to ignore
Ronnie Callus
Jan 27th, 18:57
Very well said.
Ramona Frendo
Jan 27th, 16:38
Since the PN are so adamant that they have nothing to hide, reason says they should pledge to introduce a Whistle Blowers Act & remove the time-barring on corruption offences, before the summer recess. Then, anyone who knows anything, may come forward & anyone who is guilty will not be able to hide behind procedural screens. If nobody comes forward, then the PN will be vindicated. Simple!
GL Calleja
Jan 27th, 17:38
Read my comment on the Whistle Blower Act. But you are right, Why is Dr Gonzi so afraid to introduce that piece of legislature, unless there is something to hide.
Tony Mangion
Jan 27th, 16:35
Has it transpired that Dr Gatt was always in favour of oil in lieu of gas, for the power station?.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 27th, 16:29
Of course Austin denies charges, only a fool would admit and Austin is not a fool.
The thing is how much water his denial holds. Time will tell.
Brian Bonnici
Jan 27th, 16:23
Infact! well said...because most of the power was given via direct orders and recommendations!!
Victor Vella
Jan 27th, 16:23
Now let's be frank, and serious about all these allegations. We all know that the MLP or as it is hiding now the PL has allways tried to throw mud in the hope of some of it sticking.Malta today is being used as a lauchning pad now in order for the PL to avoid legal battles whichh they know they would lose.Joseph tell us now and be clear,Will you be raising income tax?
m. borg (slm)
Jan 27th, 16:31
Victor what has your quiry to do with the matter of this article.?
Typical gonzipn apologists' smoke screening.
N Chetcuti
Jan 27th, 17:10
The only thing is that this is not MLP but MT
Charles Buhagiar
Jan 27th, 17:45
x'ghandu x'jaqsam l-income tax?? OMG Illumanini pls
Victor Vella
Jan 27th, 20:03
The only reason I am asking about income tax is because the MPL/PL is proposing to spend millions upon millions of Euro and has not yet explained once with serious costings how they will fund the proposals.When this happens the workers will be paying through taxation.
As for mud slinging none of you have denied this.Why didn't these people come forward before? What stopped them?
Alfred Fenech
Jan 27th, 16:18
Labour will blow the whistle on all dirty works. Do not bother to come knocking at my door.
carmel parnis
Jan 27th, 15:49
Saqsu lil Dr Frendo fuq il kwistjoni tal bus ticketing machines
carmel parnis
Jan 27th, 15:47
I soltu tal Labour qabel elezzjoni jippruvaw ihammgu lil kulhadd ghax jafu li ma hemmx cans li tiehu ir raguni mil qorti qabel l elezzjoni
m. borg (slm)
Jan 27th, 16:48
Everybody is human and anyone pressed hard against the wall will not find it hard to spill the beans.
Time will tell and with a Whistleblowers' Act in place a lot would be revealed.
Julian Borg
Jan 27th, 15:46
We are going through the usual MLP tactic of chucking as much mud as possible before an election; using their propaganda machines to the full - including newspapers that sympathise with them - and then when they get into power the issue will die a death because there was no proof in the first place. Remember Michael Frendo anyone?
John B. Borg
Jan 27th, 20:43
There are no tactics Julian. There are serious allegations backed with documents and tapes. Do yourself a favour and face facts. We have a rotten smell of corruption and this is paid from your and my taxes. Yes we do remember Michael Frendo and all the other cases reviewed by Dr Edgar Mzzi. His conclusion, yes there was corruption but could not be proved in court..
John B. Borg
Jan 27th, 20:43
There are no tactics Julian. There are serious allegations backed with documents and tapes. Do yourself a favour and face facts. We have a rotten smell of corruption and this is paid from your and my taxes. Yes we do remember Michael Frendo and all the other cases reviewed by Dr Edgar Mzzi. His conclusion, yes there was corruption but could not be proved in court..
GL Calleja
Jan 27th, 15:44
And the plot thickens. If Maltatoday has any proof of any misbehaving by any Minister they should present it to the police and to the District Attorney so they can follow suit. I am sure George Frarrugia has something to say about all this and so does Maltatoday. There is a smelly fish here somewhere and that fish must be found. I hope the police and the district Attorney follow the smell.
A.Felix Busuttil
Jan 27th, 15:37
commissioner of police cannot investigate all these allegations in few weeks time. Dalli's investigation seems a priority and he was kept for nearly to days at police HQ.
Mary Camenzuli
Jan 27th, 15:29
Labour should tell us who Frank Sammut really is.
They know him well.
.
ANTHONY PAVIA
Jan 27th, 16:17
Illuminate us Mary!
twanny borg
Jan 27th, 16:34
Kien pn u kien sar pl wara li keccieh austin gatt. Zbaljat?
K Grech
Jan 27th, 16:44
Why would it be interesting to know who Frank Sammut is? And what is your real point in writing "They know him well" because in my opinion it seems that its the circle around Gatt who know this person well.
A. Mizzi
Jan 27th, 17:04
And in these past 20 years Gonzi & Co know him EVEN BETTER!
TAKES MORE THAN 2 TO TANGO, and with Frank Sammut ,it is no waltz!
gwido sultana
Jan 27th, 20:04
dose it matter if he is PN or PL, if he done wrong he should pay. That is the problem with with you gonzipn, if you do wrong you have a strong pair of hands to clean your dirt..
Charles Buhagiar
Jan 27th, 15:24
Shall we believe him guys?
E. Vassallo
Jan 27th, 17:07
Kif tuza il-kelma guys vera taghmlek cool man!!!!Ejja guys!!!!!wow...x'int awesome!!!
Adrian Schembri
Jan 27th, 21:46
Jekk dak li flaht tikteb qas haqq il-keystrokes li hlejt ghax iktar dahhakt nies bik milli diga ddahhak kuljum.
Paul Micallef
Jan 27th, 15:20
Minn ha jemnek????
James Grech
Jan 27th, 15:06
Whom to believe? What has been quoted to transpire from acquired tapes is that some nationalist politician that was not going to contest the upcoming election, was involved. Whoever he/she is, the ppl have a right to know!!
Paul Micallef
Jan 27th, 15:37
@ GRECh
We as the people of this country do not have any rights under GONZI and co, but this is why the PN will go on the banks of the opposition because the PN stands for people who are KORRUPT to the core.
Franco you had a golden chance to get rid of this BULLY but you failed, but rest assured that the people will eleminat and SKIP people that have draine our countrys resources dry.
Please choose the reason of your report below: