President George Abela proposed that the board pay the expenses for a master’s degree for an aide, Darleen Zerafa. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Most board members on the Malta Community Chest fund have declined to comment on the ongoing controversy concerning the charity’s decision to offer the expenses of an overseas course to a President’s aide.

Only two board members gave comments, John Huber and Mario Spiteri, and the latter was not at the meeting when the suggestion was made.

Mr Spiteri said he had no doubt the MCCF had acted correctly based on his own experience of the board but said more should be done to communicate.

The silence was replicated by the President’s Office, which yesterday insisted it had nothing more to add to a statement issued on Tuesday. Sources told Times of Malta that the board was convened and discussed the matter during a scheduled meeting.

The issue surrounds a proposal by President George Abela to the board, which he chairs, to pay the expenses for a master’s degree on eating disorders management that aide Darleen Zerafa was pursuing by distance learning from Italy.

Ms Zerafa, who is also the sister of the President’s daughter-in-law, declined the offer, according to the Office of the President. Mr Huber defended the MCCF, arguing that Ms Zerafa was a competent person and that this was the only thing that mattered.

If we are going to look for familial connections in this country, we will find them everywhere

“If we are going to look for familial connections in this country, we’ll end up doing nothing because we are going to find them everywhere. The point here is that Ms Zerafa is a very dedicated and competent person and her studies would be put to good use.”

The board meeting in question was discussing Dar Kenn Għal Saħħtek, a therapeutic centre catering for eating disorders set up jointly between the Fund, the Health Ministry and a dedicated foundation.

Most of the other members of the 25-member board would not comment when contacted, while quite a few also seem not to have been present at the meeting.

On top of that, at least three people who are named as members are no longer on the board. Cristina Galea Curmi confirmed that she had resigned some time ago “on a matter unrelated to this issue”, Victor Testa has not been a member for more than two years while Joyce Grech passed away some time ago.

Times of Malta asked the Office of the President for a copy of the minutes as the version published online is not complete and does not include the names of board members at the meeting, but no reply was forthcoming by the time of going to print.

mmicallef@timesofmalta.com