Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning described the desecration of a number of Quran copies at Mater Dei Hospital as a “senseless” act which “should not be taken lightly”.
In a recorded interview broadcast on One Radio, Dr Muscat said that political leaders had to convey a clear message to the perpetrators.
“That’s [such acts] not what we stand for… We should never resort to such disgusting acts” he said.
“Only those who are open-minded are patriots,” Dr Muscat said in a veiled message directed to far-right party Għaqda Patrijotti Maltin.
He noted that even during the rule of the Knights of St John, Muslims used to be treated at the renowned Sacra Infermeria - the modern-day Mediterranean Conference Centre.
The Prime Minister welcomed statistics which confirmed that Malta had the lowest unemployment rate across the EU.
“This is a far cry from the PN’s pre-election slogan that Labour won’t work” he said.
Dr Muscat noted that this Labour administration “broke the duck”, as contrary to other Labour-led governments its time in power did not coincide with economic slowdown and layoffs.
“The winning formula is that we take decisions, be it on the AUM, utility tariffs, free childcare, pension increases etcetera.”
Dr Muscat also reiterated his position against a further expansion of the Freeport’s footprint.
“You cannot allow the Freeport to outsize Birżebbuġa itself, which hosts it. We need to convey a message to the people of the south, that we are pro-business but that at the same time we care."
He argued that he had not opposed expansion and left it at that. "We have given an alternative, whereby there are areas in Ħal Far which could be used for logistic centres, with the necessary safeguards in place.”
The Prime Minister also touched on the new power plant but once again declined to given any deadlines for its completion. He noted that the €300 million conversion of an LNG tanker which would be permanently berthed in Marsaxlokk would be entirely financed by the private sector. Dr Muscat blamed the last PN government for having to make use of this tanker.
“Had they constructed a gas pipeline with Italy we would not be in such a situation, but they decided to keep using heavy fuel oil, which turned the power station into a cancer factory,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister noted that the tanker would be in use for a “limited amount” of time until Malta would have its gas pipeline with Italy in place. Studies on this EU-funded project are at an advanced stage, he said.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister's office this morning announced that Dr Muscat is en route to Singapore to officially take possession of the LNG tanker.
The tanker is expected to reach Malta in September, the statement said.