Wistin Abela (centre) seen with former prime minister Alfred Sant and former health minister Vincent Moran.Wistin Abela (centre) seen with former prime minister Alfred Sant and former health minister Vincent Moran.

Wistin Abela, 80, a long-serving minister in successive Mintoff governments, has passed away.

Mr Abela, served in Parliament from 1966 to 1996, having been repeatedly elected from his home town Zejtun.

He is best known as the minister responsible for Air Malta in its early years and for Xandir Malta when it switched to colour television. He was also responsible for Malta Shipbuilding and for communications and served for a time as Finance Minister.

He was deputy leader of the Labour Party and deputy prime minister between 1981 and 1982 before handing over to Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.

Mr Abela had been suffering ill health for some years but managed to attend Dom Mintoff's funeral in 2012.

The Labour Party saluted Mr Abela, saying he had worked to make a better Malta. The party praised him in particular for his work on the setting up of Air Malta and his service as Finance Minister.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, with Mass at St Catherine parish church, Żejtun at 4pm.

 

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