Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said yesterday the Nationalist Party will protect those people suffering discrimination caused by the Labour Party’s clientelism.
Answering questions put by The Malta Independent’s content director Pierre Portelli, Dr Busuttil said clientelism was a bubble that would burst in Joseph Muscat’s face.
Favours for some led to discrimination against others, he said. “I will stick my neck out to ensure those who have the right will get what they deserve, but there will be no preferences. That is the only way to fight corruption,” the Opposition leader said.
Dr Busuttil spoke on the “institutionalised corruption” in the country, saying only the former Labour government of Dom Mintoff and Lorry Sant could compare. This was Joseph Muscat’s achievement, he added.
The Opposition leader said “Gaffarena” – embroiled in the Old Mint Street property scandal revealed by this newspaper – had gone to him before the general election seeking a permit for his illegal Qormi petrol station.
I will stick my neck out to ensure those who have the right will get what they deserve
“I told him I’m not here to get my hands dirty. I’m here to clean up politics,” Dr Busuttil said. Mr Gaffarena got his permit soon after the change in government, proving the Labour Party had sold its principles before the general election, he added.
He said a PN government would aim to implement the highest standards in the country. “We need to deliver quality not mediocrity. This government promised a lot but is not delivering on expectations. We will move this country forward because people deserve better,” Dr Busuttil said.
All the roadmaps the PL mentioned before the election were never found, Dr Busuttil said, calling them a gimmick. He referred particularly to the energy sector – the power station and the reduction in utility tariffs.
Dr Busuttil insisted electricity prices needed to be further reduced. Under the PN government the price of oil was $120-$140 per barrel and now it was $40 a barrel: “That’s one third of the price, but the government has only reduced electricity tariffs by 25 per cent”.
Furthermore, power generation costs had been reduced further because of the BWSC plant and the interconnector built by the PN.
Dr Busuttil insisted there was no need for a new power station. The government was making commitments for a new €450 million project and needlessly tying the country to buy its output for 18 years at a cost that was more expensive than electricity from the interconnector.
“You know why Joseph Muscat is insisting on building it? Because if he doesn’t he will have to resign,” Dr Busuttil said, referring to Dr Muscat’s pre-electoral promise to build it in two years, which failed.