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Updated - Letters show Muscat knew of 'white powder' case despite denial - PN

Letters show Muscat knew of 'white powder' case despite denial, Busuttil says. Video: Mark Zammit Cordina

Updated - Adds first letter and reply

The PN has evidence to show that it was not true that Joseph Muscat had not known of the 'white powder' case in a Labour Party Club, PN Deputy leader Simon Busuttil and General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier said today.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Borg Olivier noted that Toni Abela  had denied informing Labour leader Joseph Muscat of the goings on in a Labour Party club about the cutting of a 'white block'.

Dr Muscat had also denied knowledge, adding in comments to The Sunday Times that he would have acted differently from Dr Abela had he known.

In the 2010 recording, revealed last Friday, Dr Abela was heard saying he sacked the Labour club president after this person found and disposed of “white powder” but did not go to the police because “only God knows what would have happened”. Dr Abela later clarified with The Times that it was the club barman who had been sacked after the president reported seeing someone suspicious in the kitchen.

"Toni Abela and Joseph Muscat are both not saying the truth, they are lying about this case as not only was the leader of the opposition informed but he was well informed a few days after the event," Dr Borg Olivier said.

He screened video clips where Dr Abela denied informing Dr Muscat, and Dr Muscat denied knowing of the case.

Despite such denials, Dr Borg Olivier said, the PN had in its possession, a letter sent to Dr Muscat on August 7, 2009. 

The writer of the letter told Dr Muscat that he had written to him, a month after the case, because he (Dr Muscat) had been due to speak to Dr Abela and then reply to him.

He regretted that the party had not acted well and had not interviewed him over the case.

"You decided against me without me being present."

He said that on June 7 as supporters were celebrating the MEP election victory, he was behind the bar with another man. Two young people went into the kitchen and produced a quantity of white powder. The president of the club  caught them red handed.

The youths told the president that he was not involved.

Yet the writer regretted that he was the one who was blamed and he was dismissed by the club. He also regretted that the father of one of the youths, a member of the club committee, had acted against him.

On August 11, 2009 Dr Muscat's personal assistant wrote back saying that Dr Muscat had received and read the letter.

This proved, Dr Borg Olivier said, how Dr Muscat had not said the truth when he denied knowledge of the case.

He said that on February 20, 2012 just before local council elections, the same person again wrote to Dr Muscat and urged him to stop a particular committee member from being a party candidate because of his involvement in the white powder case. He also told Dr Muscat that 'you know everything about the case' as he had written to him.

The writer also complained that although, after insistence from a colleague, Dr Muscat had met him, the only solution he offered him was to pose for a picture with him to show confidence.

"I know what I have been through, the trauma I have suffered. Were it for the other person, I would have ended up in the mental hospital or the prison, he said.

Dr Muscat replied through his assistant Raymond Barbara on the next day to acknowledge receipt of this second letter.

PN Deputy Leader Simon Busuttil said these cases were extremely serious involving drugs. Dr Abela had hidden a crime by not telling the police. Dr Muscat was protecting Dr Abela. And, before the whole country, both had not said the truth.

Responsibility was now fully on Dr Muscat's shoulders, Dr Busuttil said. Dr Muscat was claiming that he wanted to clean up politics, but there was a wide gulf between what he said and what he did. He built his policies on deception and hypocrisy.

"My message to the people is to reflect whether they want to trust their future and that of their children on this person," Dr Busuttil said.

This was further evidence that Dr Muscat and the Labour Party are morally bankrupt, and morally corrupt," Dr Busuttil concluded.

Replying to questions, Dr Busuttil said it was Dr Muscat who should be asked in which club this case took place. He said the letter was received recently and he got to know about it yesterday.

Dr Busuttil said the PN expected Dr Muscat to shoulder his responsibilities.

See also http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130216/local/Deputy-did-not-report-drug-allegations-to-the-police.457783

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130215/local/second-toni-abela-recording-uploaded-on-youtube.457653

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Francis Saliba M.D.

Feb 19th, 19:46

@VictorMallia

Skond Joseph Muscat stess kien hu li thawwad, ghaqqad u ghagen ma xulxin zewg attivitajiet kriminali f'kazini differenti tal-LP bir-rizultat li qal haga meta ried jghid haga ohra. Dak hu xempju lampanti ta' kif tkun storja ta' fantaxjenza.

Joe Sammut

Feb 19th, 20:36

Sa fejn naf jien kieku kellu x’jahbi il-barman ma kienx jibghat lil-prezident tal-kazin igiblu s-silg li issa Muscat qed jdawwarha u jghid li l-blokka kienet tas-silg.

Il-'passi mehtiega' kienu mehtiga biex jiprotegu ‘l-Partit Laburista u lil-membru tal-kumitat li hareg ghal-elezjoni lokali.

joe micallef

Feb 19th, 15:31

Mhux hekk tghid Ms Cristina!
The issue with tenable position is way off target as the maltese are no longer down right gullible cwiec!!
I am more than convinced that the PN tactics are evidence of 'the end of the road' scenario!
If the PN /Simon/PBO believes such a dragged out non issue on Toni Abela will get my vote they rather change tact and act as reliable election contenders-which is not!

A. Xuereb

Feb 19th, 13:09

Why have their been no arraignments yet? Simple, because there is no case.Get over it.
Let's talk about the oil procurement scandal instead.

Mario Camilleri

Feb 19th, 13:38

@steve fenech,
So you're saying that Dr Tony Abela and Dr Joesph Muscat are drug traffickers? State yes or no not beating around the bush!!

Peter Gee

Feb 19th, 13:40

What is less incredible is that the PN has been sitting on this information for three to four years without reporting it to the police. Disgusting!

Joe Bonanno

Feb 19th, 13:50

First it doesn't have to carry a lifetime sentence, just ask the Brazilian trafficker who was given a pardon by the PN. Second, this barman who obviously has an axe to grind and now is being welcomed into the sacred halls of the PN is their unimpeachable witness? Which version do we believe his first, block of ice or his second, block of white substance? I can see why the Pol. Comm. threw it out

joe micallef

Feb 19th, 14:02

Hi Steve,
I'm one of the elves!
Your comment is not that much different than mine!
Nice try Steve but truely pathetic and counterproductive mate!

Joe Borg (Senior)

Feb 19th, 14:47

what drug trafficikng are you talking about .. why doesn't the Prim Minister report this to the police commissioner now and also why didn't he do it 2½ years ago as well!!

Mr Stephen Borg

Feb 19th, 13:58

You can compare like with like, on one hand we have Joseph Muscat saying he does not have any information as regards drug trafficking in an LP club and on the other hand we have Lawrence Gonzi defending Austin Gatt and now Tonio Fenech as regards the oil procurement scandal where thousands if not millions where paid in commissions, which one of both is the worst?

Daniel Zarb

Feb 19th, 14:48

Francis,smart people understand that if you don't have first-hand information, you need to rely on other sources before going to the police. It is crystal clear that no one wanted to co-operate. In the absence of evidence, you have no case. But honestly, if this is what keeps you up at night, then go ahead and vote for gonzi again. Obviously this govt cannot relate to the people's issues anymore.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Feb 19th, 18:22

@DanielZarb
If your rambling comment describes what "smart" people understand I would be most interested to learn what people like you understand.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Feb 19th, 19:07

@Stephen Borg & Daniel Zarb
What is the connection between your comment and the subject of this blog namely Joseph Muscat being caught out lying about his lack of knowledge about the drug abuse in a LP club? There isn't any.

Efrem Gatt

Feb 19th, 14:15

Pity many other level headed, less fanatic people will have to suffer for your decision. If things are as they clearly stand, then it will be our turn to p.. in out pants. This is no dramatizing, if all the facts are true as they very well seem to be then, wake up Malta, we don't want such leaders!

L Zammit

Feb 19th, 13:58

Doreen, x'tippreferi, (ghall grazzja ta' l-argument) thallas ftit euros taxxa izjed jew ihassrulek lill-uliedek bid-droga. Erga ahsibha u tinduna li bhalissa m'hemmx alternattiva ghall-Dr Gonzi. Hu biss ta' min jafdah.

Efrem Gatt

Feb 19th, 14:17

OOOO COME OFF IT.. bet you are dying of hunger!.. Halqna fix-xejr u ma nafux! Always the same Maltese gemgem we are. Better thank God for our blessings!

Joseph Cauchi Senior

Feb 19th, 14:23

@ Gorg Borg,

Yes, the names are covered.

But Joseph Muscat and Toni Abela know who the person is!

JC.

Cornelius Murphy

Feb 19th, 12:26

Simple. The 2010 recording is Toni Abela reminding other people about a case that had happened quite some time before. That's all there is to it.

Joseph Aquilina

Feb 19th, 12:29

The only party with expertise of throwing mud (ie stating something without any proof) is lejber. PN have ample proof. I hope that whoever is in power will really make MPs (and PM) liable to court cases regardless of when the fact took place!!

Mario Bonnici

Feb 19th, 12:36

Spot On Edmund.
Loghba mahmuga mill-PN biex minghalihom jaqbdu lil Joseph Muscat f'gidba.

B Ellul

Feb 19th, 12:36

iva...even the recording are made up!

JOHN WHITE

Feb 19th, 12:40

Xi trid tinvestiga sur Edmund. Sar fejn sar il-hazin sar u il-kustjoni riedet tinheba.Bhal ma kien qal Konrad (l-espert tal-power stations) Shame on You Joseph !!

joanna farrugia

Feb 19th, 12:46

mhux hekk hux joe tabone mhabba li m hawnx barrunijiet hux??

m. borg (slm)

Feb 19th, 14:01

gonzipn have nothing new to present except more of the same.

More decrease in standard of living, more tariff increases, more corruption and scandals.

Under labour one could not buy MARS bars but under PN/gonzipn one could by anything if the price is right.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Feb 19th, 13:32

It is a storm all right, a big one in fact, but what is being shattered is not a teacup but the false image being conjured up of some different, changed version of the Mintoff-KMB Labour Party and the corrupted police force it created to support its thugs.

A. Xuereb

Feb 19th, 13:14

Well said! Even their party faithful have been posting comments on FB to the effect ' we are leaving the best for last' and 'we shall have Dr Muscat's head in the end' for weeks on end! This means only 1 thing: the PN have nothing to offer and nothing to be proud of! Well at least they did manage to find a disgruntled barman.

Joe Bonanno

Feb 19th, 13:53

Well said.

Efrem Gatt

Feb 19th, 14:21

This was all about drugs abuse and not an everyday letter issued by some Govt Dept... Makes a hell of a difference!

Mario Mercieca

Feb 19th, 15:11

Mela dejjem hazin ghamilt siehbi.....terfa dak li ma ghandekx taghmel u ovvjament mintix imhallas ghalieh

Efrem Gatt

Feb 19th, 14:18

I would expect that such a serious matter wouldn't be held back from the PL leader, were it to be so, then there are even more people in the bag..

Joseph Aquilina

Feb 19th, 12:03

Performing a drama! Those letters prove that Joseph Muscat DID KNOW about drugs within lejber club. Those letters prove that Joseph Muscat lied not ONCE but TWICE; first when he said he knew nothing about the case and second when he said he would have reported the case to the police if he had known about it!

HOW CAN YOU STILL TRUST HIM?

Ronnie Callus

Feb 19th, 12:04

Hundred percent correct Mr.Caruana. PL should be aware of this and does not fall to their PROVOCATIONS
The PN is shivering seeing all those crowds after Joseph and members leaving them. SHAME to them ALL

Edgar Gambin

Feb 19th, 12:15

Sur Bonnici minn meta id-droga saret tajn? Toni irreferi ghaliha bhala blokka bajda. Tista tispjega?

Thomas C. Cassar

Feb 19th, 12:17

Hekk hu, bhal ma nqeda bih kuntrattur li jhaddem il-prekarjat li ma nafx ghala ghandu nteress li jibqa l-PN fil-Gvern. Tghid ghaliex??

Kenneth Williams

Feb 19th, 12:55

U issa PBO qal li ftit trab.....

J Muscat

Feb 19th, 13:17

Ghandna anke min jinsa' kont tal-bank fl-Isvizzera!

Gorg Sciberras

Feb 19th, 12:26

Mud slinging or not, I know I cannot vote for a party who hides a drug-related incident. And besides this, according to the letter published, Muscat has lied when he said that he had not been informed. We need to trust the people we elect. Many will not trust Gonzi, but I definitely cannot trust the Labour Party, especially Joseph Muscat and Toni Abela.

A. Xuereb

Feb 19th, 13:43

@ Gorg: and we cannot trust a bunch of incompetents under whose nose we experienced the biggest political scandal of all times!

m. borg (slm)

Feb 19th, 14:03

Gorg you found it easy to vote for a party that gave a pres pardon to a criminal who had a drug case pending who also happened to be a body guard to a big shot and his family.

Joseph Cauchi Senior

Feb 19th, 12:12

@ Mario Mizzi,

I beg to differ on your assumptions!

Why don’t you ask if some of the moderators of some newspapers concerned are in cahoots with the MLP commenters to restrict comments of anti-MLP nature and flood the comments boards with pro-MLP comments!

JC.

john smith

Feb 19th, 11:56

why is the PN backing this case so much?!!?!! we deserve to know!!!

P. Zammit

Feb 19th, 12:50

There is an acknowledgement by Mark Farrugia , personal assistant to JM !!!

Tony Borg Borg

Feb 19th, 14:44

J. Azzopardi l-acknowledgement qieghed fl-ahhar wara l-ittra.

Joseph Aquilina

Feb 19th, 11:58

He kicked the person not involved about the case and covered (seems Joseph was in it too now) for more senior members within the lejber party. Maybe you do not care when you see that a political party, from the opposition, is already involved in hiding stuff and protecting those close to the party!

However I am not close to lejber and therefore I DO CARE!

Pauline Busuttil

Feb 19th, 12:21

int bis-serjeta qed tghid A. Dimech??? dr. abela ma rapportax kaz ta' droga, u taf din xi tfisser? li ghatta kaz ta' traffikar ta' droga biex ma jinqabadx ghax issir hsara lill partit laburista. Mhux imbilli keccieh il barra, jien nistaqsi fejn hija dik il blokka bajda? x'sar minna? Hadha xi hadd u negozja hu?

Tony Borg Borg

Feb 19th, 14:45

A. Dimech kellu jirraporta lill pulizija.

Joseph Aquilina

Feb 19th, 11:59

Yes they have thousands who post the same none-sense over and over again. PN unfortunately does not have the resources to sustain such a machine!

Cornelius Murphy

Feb 19th, 12:23

But has the PL convinced the man in the street? Or the people on the 6:00am ferry from Gozo last Monday, for that matter?

It's easy to swamp the Internet with loads of comments from a few supporters, but they are not the only ones who are going to vote on 9 March. The people can see through Labour's tactic paying for the illusion of popularity and the election is still very much up for grabs.

Mr Joe Micallef

Feb 19th, 11:54

Isthi jekk taf!

Daniel Zarb

Feb 19th, 12:12

Jisthi min qed jipprova juza issue sensittiva bhal dik tad-droga biex jipprova jirbah erba voti. Kemm jien u kemm int nafu li l-glieda kontra d-droga hija serja u min vera jrid jeradikaha jmur jiddedika l-forzi kollha tieghu fuq min qed jiddistribuxxiha. Kif ga kkumentajtlek darb'ohra...l-Malti mhuwiex gullible kif tahseb Joe. Hasra li ghad hemm min jahseb mod iehor.

Mr Joe Micallef

Feb 19th, 13:17

Zarb isthi jekk taf!

Joe Borg (Senior)

Feb 19th, 14:54

@Mr Joe Micallef min x'hiex nisthi .. jien nisthi? Jisthi min bidel il-ligi biex bena power station bl--iktar zejt li jnigex meta kellu parrir biex jibniha bil-gas! Jisthi l-Prim Ministru li kien jaf b'din sentejn illu w ma irraportax lil Kummissarju!!!

Ibqaw sejrin hekk gbin thank you .. tghidx kemm ha jkolkomm titmeshu mit-tkaxkira li ha tiehdu!!

john smith

Feb 19th, 11:55

It is a bit too late for PBO and his friends to start working because they are used to this way of life!!!!! 500Ewro fil-gimgha sbieh wisq biex jghaddu minghajrhom!!!!

Kenneth Williams

Feb 19th, 12:58

ma tantx ghandu sahha jahdem ghax kienu mahlubin dan l ahhar 5 snin jipprovaw izommu fil wicc...

Tony Borg Borg

Feb 19th, 14:49

Daniel, tant hi sensittiva li JM u Toni Abela kellhom jirrapurtaw lill Pulizija.

john smith

Feb 19th, 11:48

I agree 100% mr Grech

Daniel Zarb

Feb 19th, 12:25

Let's say it could be a copy of the original one. But it is very strange. The original letter might have actually been typed and could have been about anything under the sun. For the Nationalists to latch onto a possibly forged hand-written note is a symptom of intense desperation.

Maria Muscat

Feb 19th, 12:27

completely agree letters lack the same ability for verification as e-mails, not only that the reply acknowledging the letter could of been in reply to anything.

Tony Borg Borg

Feb 19th, 14:52

J. Grech milli jidher ma fhimt xejn.

joseph green

Feb 19th, 11:59

Smoke in the air for the barman too , JB.

Pauline Busuttil

Feb 19th, 12:24

Smoke in the air meta hemm dak ir-recording Joseph Brincat? Staqsi lill familjari ta' zaghzagh li mietu bid-droga jekk hux smoke in the air!! Mur ara kieku kien xi nazzjonalist x'konnu taghmlu, kif konnu tkissruh lillu u lill familja tieghu. Ma tghajdux smoke in the air umbad!!!!

Joe Borg (Senior)

Feb 19th, 11:48

int bis-serjeta .. ar avera qed issegwi li jaqbilek eh?

fred sammut

Feb 19th, 11:57

queros traffikant haffrulu

zeppi l hafi haffrulu

nieqaf???

Ronnie Callus

Feb 19th, 11:59

Sur.Tabone ara wahda fuq liema naha qedien dawn li qed issemmi int. Kun Onest mieghek innifsek u maghna n-nies li ghadna kuxjenza vera u mhux biki tal-kukkudrili bhalma sar ghal Anglu Farrugia.

Joe A. Borg

Feb 19th, 11:42



Dak kien sapun tal dish washer!

Anthony( Toni ) Borg

Feb 19th, 11:44

Hawn malta milija bil PUSHERS .. Hawn minnhom li ilhom bara zmien twiel u il gustizzja qat ma ghamlet dak li u suppost issir.... Dik li tfisser xoghol GUSTIZJA u LIBERTA....

Ronnie Callus

Feb 19th, 11:47

Xi Sapuna tkun bhalma kontu ghidtulna meta ddahlet fuq bastiment ta' wieherd. Jew tinsew intom fejn jaqblilkom.

Jos Brincat

Feb 19th, 11:52

Il-kbira hi li skont tal-lejber intremiet fiz-zibel. Minn jaf min sabha u ghadux haj???? Li kieku qalu li qerduha forsi kienu jitmemmnu jzjed.

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Feb 19th, 12:15

Sultana: il-Pn kollox jafu u kapaci jirrisponduk il-ghaliex issa il-barman sar habib u ma jridux jghidu minn hu minflok ghaddew ismu lill pulizijia biex tkun tista tinvestiga. Min jaf hux veru huwa l-istess barman? Min jaf minn kitibha dina l-itrra? Jien lill ta;-PN, tant huma ipokriti li ma nemminhomx wahda.

J Muscat

Feb 19th, 13:03

Jekk int omm u qieghda tibza ghat-tfal tieghek minn dal-kaz ghandek il-problemi! Jekk int omm ta' vera tghaalem lil uliedek trid mhux tibza mil-babaw! Ibza mhux min dal- kaz JEKK hu kaz...ibza hallihom johorgu mil-bieb tad-dar il-barra! L-iskola isibuha, postijit ta' divertiment isibuha, postijiet ta' eukazjoni gholjin isibuha...imma jsibuha ghax ifitxuha!

Tony Borg Borg

Feb 19th, 14:56

J. Sultana minn naha tal-MLP m'intiex ser tiehu spjegazzjoni.

Ronnie Callus

Feb 19th, 11:51

Spjegalna ftit Manuel ! Kif minn blokka issa sar trab abjad. Mhux forsi l-ittra hija ta' post iehor li mghandu xjaqsam xejn hu ??? Meta staqsew il-gurnalisti ma' riedux jghidulhom. Tahlulniex zmien izjed ghax dejjaqtu lil kulhadd jahasra.

JOHN WHITE

Feb 19th, 15:10

They are paid for you to have the latest technology in I.T and to have enough funds so thath our country can continue to develop into a better one. These type of ministers have introduced pc,mobile phones,laptops,tablets etc etc

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Feb 19th, 12:18

PBO is notorious for making a mes every time he opens his mouth. The Pn is kaing evry effort to show Jm in a bad light, but they will fail because most of this stuff is so messed up you can pick holes the size of a crater in all the rubbish they are saying. Who know if this guy is rally the barman? If he is, what promises did het get in exchange for the information? Like Gafa maybe - good deal.

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Feb 19th, 12:20

The Pn is giving a rally bad name to politics and politicians. What with the oil scandal and all this underhand sleazy tactics, this is not what politics should be about. If the PN wants to be credible, it should have shown who this barman is and should have reported the matter to the police two years ago when it got to know. Otherwise its all hypocrisy.

Mr Joe Micallef

Feb 19th, 12:31

Camilleri you have to have a disgusting nerve to write that PN is giving politicians and politics a bad name! Am I surprised - not at all. Dik milli jkollha ttik!

JOHN WHITE

Feb 19th, 12:47

Saqsi lil Toni Abela ghal compositions !!

fred sammut

Feb 19th, 11:33

il Kummisarju tal Pulizija QAL li ma hemm l ebda kas kontra Toni Abela.......

imma mill banda l ohra illum tellaw 2 persuni il Qorti fuq ix xiri taz zejt...... li kummisjoni tista tlahhaq xi Biljun ewro ( nikkwota li smajt fuq TV )

ma nahsibx li fil kas taz zejt, u minn ivvota bil qalb biex Malta tibqa tixtri iz zejt hija lobgha ta tfal.....

Ronnie Callus

Feb 19th, 11:45

Not only this!! They are trying to provoke someone from the PL side so that they point out their fingers as done in the pastThay are trying to deviate the attention from the oil corruption / commission. We were stole and need justice to be done with us who paid all those amount of money in fuel and energy tariffs. We should be compensated by Dr.Gonzi and his team who were in power and got 500euro

L Zammit

Feb 19th, 14:46

Lill-Quiroz tellquh il-barra. Muscat, Abela u bella kumpanija ghad iridu jikkmandaw lill-Malta u qeghdin ma saqajnha.

JOHN WHITE

Feb 19th, 12:50

Or another clear sign of the fading smile of Joseph since he is a bit disturbed about these accusations..

W Azzopardi

Feb 19th, 11:41

Untill they meet the PL down there.

C Spiteri

Feb 19th, 11:36

That what I am saying as well, infact the case happened in 2010 however the letters are dated 2009????

Tony Borg Borg

Feb 19th, 15:05

C. Spiteri ahjar terga' taqra l-artiklu . Ir-recording instema' fit 2010 imma l-ittra mibghuta fis-7 ta' Awwissu ta' l-2009.

joseph green

Feb 19th, 11:56

Biex issir gustizzja ma dak il barman , li fuq kollox huwa laburist , l aqwa lil Malta taghna ilkoll

Oliver Grech

Feb 19th, 11:10

Internal party matters? God forbids, if your children would end up victims of such drug pushers, would that be an interal party matter for you?

Ganni Borg

Feb 19th, 11:23

It Shows that you do not understand what Labour was and neither now you understand what labour is. Sorry but you do not want to be delivered by a message presumably you were always on the cushy side of things....

Joseph Micallef

Feb 19th, 11:06

Moral obligations are not necessarily measured by legality or not!

Oliver Grech

Feb 19th, 11:12

It's true...its not illegal but it is morally wrong and politically wrong and hence I will not trust my future and that of my children in the hands of people who put their party and their ambition before the future of my children. No way.

Daniel Zarb

Feb 19th, 12:01

Oliver of course it is very convenient to make people forget that our country has slowly but surely become the 'coke' island: its availability has skyrocketed alarmingly and we have the 2nd highest cocaine-related mortality rate in Europe. Not to mention that 41% of our prisoners are on drugs and somehow have access to them. Not waging a fight against THAT is morally wrong.

Chris Finch

Feb 19th, 11:12

Very good point. If they also had the information and did nothing, then they are in the same position as those they are accusing.

Oliver Grech

Feb 19th, 11:13

You don't get it or what? The case was issued in a court case last week by an ex labourite. The PN only got the details after hearing the court case.

M Grima

Feb 19th, 11:06

Oh dear doctor spare us Benjamin Disraeli, cause you're disrespecting the man to quote him in this context.

I know of a better quote by a man who ruined the world:

“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.”

James McIntosh

Feb 19th, 11:10

Methinks you doth protest too loudly, look to your own party with the same "unjaundiced " eyes

M Grima

Feb 19th, 11:10

Wow dear Doctor, it's only 11.00 am and you're already all worked up. Take it easy as there are another 13 hours till midnight.

Wally Vella-Zarb

Feb 19th, 11:11

Fortunately, intelligent people are not as easily impressed as you seem to be.

Conrad V. Busuttil

Feb 19th, 11:20

Doc,

Shouldn't you also include Tonio Fenech and Austin Gatt with your revamped dictum? It seems from the Farrugia case that they are no virgins either.

Alfred Vassallo

Feb 19th, 11:54

But there was always 'corruption, institutionalized corruption and wide spread corruption' and that's pn's legacy.
whatever they say or do.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Feb 19th, 13:39

@M Grima

The solemn declaration that Joseph Muscat did not know of the drug scandal in an LP club has been proved to be a lie indeed but it is not a lie big enough to be believed except by the hopelessly gullible and those who choose to pretend to be blind.

M Fava

Feb 19th, 11:10

Qabel tparla, qis kollox Ms Borg. Jien xbajt insib wicc Gonzi ma' kull webpage li nilloadja u l-apps li nnizzel fuq il-movile. Fuq din il-webpage stess hawn wicc Simon u Gonzi mal-genb, jekk tajt kas. Nauseating il-fatt li qed tnessew l-iskandli taghkom.

Alfred Vassallo

Feb 19th, 11:56

Bear it, dear Ms D.Borg. Just bear it!

J Mifsud

Feb 19th, 12:53

Ms D Borg....it's called Marketing and not invasion...perhaps the term is too difficult for you to understand.

Ms D. Borg

Feb 20th, 08:52

@ J Mifsud

It's more like overkilling than marketing ... but perhaps the term is too difficult for you to understand.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Feb 19th, 11:03

The PN press conferences are not "highly repetitive" of the same criminal activity - they are exposing serial interferences with the police duties to investigate crimes and bring offenders to justice, if the crime involves Labour Party clubs. Civic minded persons would not be "bored" with these disclosures and you shouln't be either. Civilised persons would be alarmed to the point of nausea.

Lawrence Zammit

Feb 19th, 11:06

This last press conference shows that Dr Muscat can't be trusted, because there is blantant proof that he is not saying the truth. The true Dr muscat is now surfacing.

M Fava

Feb 19th, 11:12

Yes Mr Francis. Let us all take your word for it, an evident PN tradionalist, over that of an apparent floating voter.

James Grima

Feb 19th, 11:15

@ Francis

Yet I don't see you acknowledging the facts being brought to light in regards to the Oil scandal (which in realistic terms is quite more serious considering the allegations & the public money which has been wasted over the years).

Now do tell me, and I quote you, are you not alarmed to the point of nausea that these things have been happening, so why do you have to be so biased?

M Fava

Feb 19th, 11:15

Whilst drugs should not be taken lightly, neither should corruption, an allegation your party is swiftly deviating from. I remind you that new evidence is released about the oil procurement issue almost regularly. Yet you so conveniently swept that under the carpet when police investigations have rendered valid, unlike the PL club case.

Jo Mifsud

Feb 19th, 11:39

Mr. Saliba, I appreciate your detailed explanation but I decide whether something is annoying me or not! Please don't decide for me, that would be arrogant! I reaffirm that these press conferences are indeed highly repetitive. It would be better if they get it all out at once and get on with the proposals they have!!

I beleive PN are just trying to divert the attention from their own problems.

Joseph Aquilina

Feb 19th, 11:46

Does building a gas power station which we don't need sound to you as realistic? A gas power station which they said will cost 200million but facts show it will cost 600million sound realistic to you?

Lejber is trying to give the image of the "good" guys, but then you look a little deep and you see they are still the same.

Alfred Vassallo

Feb 19th, 12:02

Francis Saliba M.D.
''would be alarmed to the point of nausea.''

Just as the electorate was in 1994 when your 'great leader' gave that CONVICTED Drug dealer a presidential pardon as an appreciation for bringing to Malta all that white powder. Savvy Dr. Saliba??

Francis Saliba M.D.

Feb 19th, 12:39

@ Jo Mifsud today, 11:39

I did not decide for you. I described the expected reaction of "civilised persons" to the news that the LP leadership was indubitably concealing a case of drug trafficking in its club and recurrent obstruction of the police duty to investigate crime. You may chose to include yourself among those civilised persons, or you may refuse.
Its your funeral, not mine.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Feb 19th, 12:43

@ M Fava.
Please do not take my word for it - or anybody else's. I would be happy if you were to use your brain and and to comment constructively.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Feb 19th, 12:53

@ James Grima.
I reserve judgement until after the case of the alleged oil procurement abuse is decided and until after the allegation of PN ministerial involvement is proved or disproved. I am not alarmed at all as yet because up to now I see only a thick smokescreen of dirty tricks LP propaganda unsubstantiated insinuations defaming Minister Austin Gatt.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Feb 19th, 13:04

@ M Fava.

I agree with you that corruption should not be taken lightly but only cases of proven corruption not malicious glib insinuations about alleged corruption that has not been proved. It has not been proved yet that there was a ministerial involvement in the oil procurement case. Up to now that is a dirty allegation intended to cause maximum damage before the case is proved either way.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Feb 19th, 13:12

@ Alfred Vassallo

it is only your brash opinion that the 1944 electorate was alarmed to the point of nausea because a convicted drug dealer was given a presidential pardon on proven medical grounds.

Joe Camilleri

Feb 19th, 11:04

Lejber have no knowledge on how to move Malta forward in a time of crisis

it is inevitable that after 25 years lejber will be in government, however in my opinion it will be a mistake, the same mistake done in 1996, but i wouldn t try and persuade people now, people will realise the mistake they have done in 2 or 3 years time

M Fava

Feb 19th, 11:16

I hate mentioning the past Mr Camilleri but the MLP managed to get Malta on its feet between 1971 & 1977. A fool is he who denies so.

Conrad V. Busuttil

Feb 19th, 11:23

@ Joe Camilleri

So in your opinion the PN are better at managing during crisis?

Did you want to mean that they manage by crisis by any chance? Seems more plausible!

Norbert Vella

Feb 19th, 10:54

Din hija l-mistoqsija li qieghed insaqsi jien Anton. Ghax min kollox qieghdin jippruvaw biex ihawdu lin-nies. Naqbel mieghek perfettament

anton cassar

Feb 19th, 10:51

B.Borg...dan il-kaz m`ghandux x`jaqsam ma l-kazin ta Hat-Attard....dan kaz iehor gara Hal-Safi...thallix min jitmejjel bik !!

Chris Finch

Feb 19th, 11:13

It also seems the Nationalist party knew about it and did nothing too, apart from bring it up just before an election.

joe micallef

Feb 19th, 10:52

Hi David,
Malta's resignation culture is next to non applicable in Malta politics
What this election stands for is seeing out of office a party that should have changed ministers by the dozen but it did not and any resignation was due to own party back benchers calling the cards
In the Toni Abela saga the PN is simply spinning
In the case of dirty oil dealings the issue stinks, no ifs nor buts

A Abela

Feb 19th, 11:06

Can u tell us where Dr Muscat lied. This is not the Attard case (padlockgate). This happened in another locality Hal Safi

Chris Finch

Feb 19th, 11:15

If that is what you are calling for then ask yourself, how long has the GonziPN had this information and done nothing?

David Smith

Feb 19th, 11:24

To Joe Micallef. The cases are not the same. In the oil scandal, when the Prime Minister became aware of what happened, he immediately referred the case to the Police for their investigation. With regards to Tony Abela case, you have the gall to call it spinning? Both Tony Abela, and now Joseph Muscat LIED!!!!!

Joseph E Briffa

Feb 19th, 11:03

Are you living in the clouds Gorg. don't you know that the case is in the courts?

Joe Camilleri

Feb 19th, 11:24

dear Mr Briffa don t you know that lejber supporters beleive what they are told without questioning their leaders

Mr Albert Dimech

Feb 19th, 11:42

Exactly, this is another case that happened in Lija, so it is the PN trying to deceive voters. Wasn't Simon supposed to bring some fresh air to the same old PN?

John Cachia

Feb 19th, 10:29

Did you watch the press conference? Or are you incapable of understanding?

PBO specifically said that they shall distribute copies of the letters. Accept the fact that the letters DO EXIST and that your precious and hungry for power JM is a LIAR.

Victor Laiviera

Feb 19th, 10:50

When? Why not now?

Joseph Aquilina

Feb 19th, 11:19

I think that is the next step.

Joseph Micallef

Feb 19th, 10:31

Miskin. Ħa jitlef l-elezzjoni mela issa l-PL.

Victor Laiviera

Feb 19th, 10:31

How amusing - you really expect us to believe you?

twanny borg

Feb 19th, 10:40

Sur p. Borg id-droga l-ghadu ta' kullhadd u l-glieda trid tkun qabel il-partiti u l-politika partigjana. M'hemmx laburist jew nazzjonalist.

DC Agius

Feb 19th, 10:40

Kredibbli hafna il-kumment tieghek sur Borg.

joseph green

Feb 19th, 10:50

Temmnu u ma temnux lil P.Borg . Sur Laiviera il verita hija li kien hemm blokka bajda fil kazin tal pl , u il giddieb hu hadd hlief il kap ta l oppozizjoni .

M Grima

Feb 19th, 10:56

We believe you Mr. Borg!

If you have based your decision on a fabricated story about a letter which, wonder of wonders, has surfaced now and which anyone could have produced, then you are really confused.

John Wayne

Feb 19th, 11:14

Tell it to the marines Mr Borg!

fred sammut

Feb 19th, 11:37

P Borg imma issoltu tikteb kontra il PL kif kont ser tivvotalu???

B Ellul

Feb 19th, 11:55

Why are you changing mind? This morning Chris Cardona said on TVAM thet nothing happened! Case Closed, so I please beg you to reconsider....lol

JOHN WHITE

Feb 19th, 12:55

Chris Cardona jghid li jrid.Li naf zgur hu li l-ewwel il-kap tal-partit laburista qal li ma kien jaf b`xejn issa f`daqqa wahda rega darlu.Ghandek tghid,jien nibza naqra jekk narah isuq ma jmurx jaqbad u jaghmilli U-TURN u jfixkilni lol

John Cachia

Feb 19th, 10:30

The bottom line is that JM and Toni Abela lied and were very conformable doing so.

Daniel Zarb

Feb 19th, 10:47

Granted John. I have no illusions, I know politicians lie. To me it is important to qualify those lies though: is it a diplomatic lie or a lie that is masking huge scandals that have back-stabbed every Maltese citizen? The world is not perfect, especially not the political one, but I'll be damned if someone tries to take me for a fool. That's self-respect right there, which is why I won't vote PN.

Jos Brincat

Feb 19th, 10:26

Perhaps if the police were informed 4 years ago there would have been a case, no???????

Daniel Zarb

Feb 19th, 11:38

A case for what exactly Jos? At any party there is someone who has cocaine for personal use. The police care about who is supplying this cocaine, the traffickers. Those are the people sought by the police.

John Wayne

Feb 19th, 11:15

He has a very long way to go to reach the levels of Gonzi's fairy tales.

Mr Stephen Borg

Feb 19th, 22:22

This Cyprus Joe saying goes to show that Nationalist apologists do not want to get their facts right, they just want to continue parroting what Gonzi and Simon say. Cyprus went bust because they used to borrow money from Greek banks, so when the Greek banks went bust, Cyprus went bust, then to add insult to injury they had an firework factory explosion near one of their main power stations.

David Camilleri

Feb 19th, 11:46

best comment in this discussion! well said, up to know the parties have been showing us their ways of fighting corruption -> corrupting each other, totally pathetic, and total lack of respect to the Maltese population in general, too bad people are so blind to justify the corrupt nature of their respective parties

Karl Cutajar

Feb 19th, 10:14

mela lil gonzi tista tafdah b ajnejk maghluqa skond int

Kevin Bonnici

Feb 19th, 10:29

Karl, kull meta Gonzi kellu xi informazzjoni ta natura kriminali fuq xi hadd, dejjem ha passi u mar ghand il puluzija. il-Labour fl opposizzjoni qed jippruvaw jimanipulaw lil puluzija ahseb u ara mill gvern.

John Cachia

Feb 19th, 10:33

Gonzi helped us through an economic crisis. I am not saying he is in anyway perfect but anyone with some sense knows that there is a huge difference between the two. At the very least Gonzi did not campaign against the EU and now disregards the negative consequences that hsi actions might have had so as to gain more votes. Our story is always straight and in the right direction.

Joseph Parnis

Feb 19th, 11:38

Our story is always straight and in the right direction. John Cachia yea like the 600 euros taken behind our backs, like the Brazilian Company, like the BSWC, like the arriva, like smart city, like the letters sent to ppl telling them their jobs are safe ie airmalta, ship building, ect ect and thats not including the enamalta scandal going on at the moment pull the other one

twanny borg

Feb 19th, 10:24

@J. Cauchi - il-pn ma jahbix jew jghid lil pulizija biex ma jmexxux imexxi kontra kulhadd.
No case- il-kummissarju miftiehem hazin. No case ghalxiex? Irrefera ghax ghadda z-zmien u thassar kollox ghax ramuha fid-dustbin? Nahseb id-drogati tghidx kemm dahqu.

Joe Camilleri

Feb 19th, 11:13

this election will be a repeat of 1996, people will realise the mistake in 2 or 3 years time. it is inevitable that lejber will be in government after 25 years.

PN have been able to pull us through a time of crisis and create jobs, lejber won t be able to do that, as they have no knowledge on how to do that

Joseph Aquilina

Feb 19th, 10:39

He has proof! Character assassination is what OneTV does day in day out!

Kevin Bonnici

Feb 19th, 10:05

Muscat mhux kredibbli, u wara dan il fatt johrog bic car u bil provi.

Jekk jitla Muscat tibki tibzax...

Jpaul Gauci

Feb 19th, 10:17

Totally agree with you Alan... Guess PN is outdated now

B Ellul

Feb 19th, 11:56

'Continue to ignore cases'....ehe bravu... and this morning people are arraigned in court!!!!!

P Caruana

Feb 19th, 10:06

@ Joseph Green, even if this is true, what difference does it make ? Even the commissioner of Police confirmed that it is a "no case" !!! Better if the PN spend their time on the oil scandal. There is proof that this is a scandal, with people being arraigned in court as per ToM of today.

C Cassar

Feb 19th, 10:27

EEEEE Joseph ha jnaddaf il-pajjiz kollu mhux il-partit biss!!!

joseph green

Feb 19th, 10:44

Differenza kbira taghmel P.Caruana , ghax dak li kellu il blokka il bajda ghadu jigri mas saqajn , fejn kemm Toni Abela kif ukoll Joseph Muscat setghu hadu passi , ghax min jaf kemm hsara saret fit 3 snin liz zaghzagh taghna

Jos Brincat

Feb 19th, 10:05

Do tal-Lejber believe that mud throwing will win them votes?????????????

Kevin Bonnici

Feb 19th, 10:07

This is not mud throwing. This is pure evidence, unlike Labour's frame up on Austin gatt, where absolutely nothing shows that Gatt was involved, but Labour still try to imply that he was involved.

Emanuel Curmi

Feb 19th, 10:26

To Mr. Falzon & Mr. Brincat. Stalemate. And you are both right and yet so wrong because your votes will indeed go to the PL and PN respectively. It is an idiotic situation and but the real questions is who is being taken for a ride ?

joseph green

Feb 19th, 10:47

Dan mhux tfieh ta tajn imma kaz zvelat min ex-barman tal pl li ippruvaw ihammguh , meta tifel ta membru tal kumitat kien qed jabbuza.

Lawrence Zammit

Feb 19th, 10:07

Do you deny the fact that Dr Muscat LIED when he said he knew nothing about this case ? This is the point and not if the PN hid the case as you are implying.

John Cachia

Feb 19th, 10:02

And Labour focusing on AG and the oil scandal is understandable? Even though AG duly answered any questions posed to him. This lie is blatantly obvious and yet you find a way to divert attention?!?!

Wake up and realise that he is lying to you without an ounce of remorse. All he wants is to be the youngest PM- the people around him will suffer most.

joseph green

Feb 19th, 10:10

Amazed on something that happened 4 years ago , why would you Joseph ? The oil corruption happened in 2004 , were'nt you amazed then. Someone should pay for this oil corruption and drug trafficking , no matter when it happened.

A Spiteri

Feb 19th, 10:13

Joseph, I think you don't read everything or you don't wante to update yourself!! PN are promoting their proposals and manifesto. Here is the link from yesterday's press conference.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130218/elections-news/pn-only-party-which-can-guarantee-economic-growth-and-jobs-busuttil.458059

joseph green

Feb 19th, 09:56

Saqsi lil barman habib fuq l email , ghax Joseph u shabu ghamlulu hajtu infern

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