The Nationalist Party would, before the end of this year, publish a list of good governance measures that would set the moral standard for a new government, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said yesterday.
Speaking during an interview on Radio 101, Dr Busuttil said the list of moral requisites would include the publication of important contracts signed by the government, the fair distribution of government property, good use of public funds and scrutiny of public appointments, all things that were lacking in the current administration.
“We are not perfect but we can be a better government than the one in office at the moment. Next election there will be a clear choice between Joseph Muscat’s government and one led by the Nationalist Party, which has used its time in Opposition to change,” he said.
During the interview, Dr Busuttil mentioned what he termed as an extensive list of scandals to hit the headlines in recent months, all the result of Dr Muscat’s “politics of obligation”.
“This is corruption. These scandals and dangerous liaisons with dubious characters are disgusting the people, even Labourites, and making them angry,” he said.
Dr Busuttil challenged the Prime Minister to take immediate action and stop “paying for votes”, which he had bought with promises prior to the election.
“Does he have the will, courage and moral authority to take up this challenge,” he asked, listing a number of issues.
The challenges included rescinding a permit for a controversial petrol station owned by the Gaffarena family and revoking a deal over property in Old Mint Street, Valletta, which also involved the Gaffarenas. The crooked deals, Dr Busuttil said, should prompt Dr Muscat to remove the Land Department and the planning authority from his portfolio and proceed against Planning Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon.
He also called for action to be taken against former police inspector Daniel Zammit, his brother Roderick, a serving police inspector, and their father, Ray, the former acting commissioner who was now acting director of prisons and head of a wardens’ agency. The three Zammits were the subject of a damning report by former judge Michael Mallia.
Dr Busuttil also briefly referred to the proposed development of a private university at Żonqor Point after MaltaToday yesterday reported that Dr Muscat had confirmed there would still be development in the area.
The proposal had sparked a public outcry, which later manifested itself in what was labelled the largest environmental protest in Malta.
“Is this government that listens not listening to the people? Our position remains clear: we are against the development and will continue to fight this by all means available at law,” Dr Busuttil said.