PN will release plans for mass transport system ‘in coming days’, Borg promises

Updated 4.43pm

The Nationalist Party will share its plans for a new mass transportation system in the coming days, Opposition leader Alex Borg said on Sunday. 

During an interview on NET TV, Borg also reiterated a pledge to start work on the system in his first 100 days in office, and said the main line of the system would be operational within the first five years of a prospective PN government. 

“The Labour Party has been in government since 2013 and is still studying how the system will work,” he said, adding that in the Vision 2050 document, mass transport is just a line item. 

“On the other hand, we have an Opposition, an alternative government, that is not just prepared, but also gave its word to the people.” 

Borg also repeated a pledge to set up a Child Trust Fund, first mentioned in the PN's budget proposals in 2025, which would give €5,000 to couples for every child born. The money would then be passed on to the child when they turn 18. 

"Using the money, they could start their own business, study overseas, or put it towards their first home. We want to allow young people to bring their ambitions to life,” he said. 

On the PN’s proposal to lower VAT for catering establishments from 18 to 7 per cent, Borg said Finance Minister Clyde Caruana gave differing figures on how much such a reduction would cost the public coffers  - he said it would cost €80 million during a Times of Malta business breakfast in October, while in parliament earlier this week, he said it would cost €143 million. 

“Back when Labour was in Opposition, Joseph Muscat proposed that VAT be reduced to five per cent for restaurants.

"Why are they saying something different now that they’re in government,” he asked, adding that whenever previous governments reduced taxes on businesses in the past, revenue went up. 

'PM divided the business lobby'

Borg also referred to media reports earlier Sunday that three top Malta Development Association (MDA) officials who resigned Friday left the association in protest after the MDA complained to the European Commission about the government's affordable housing scheme. 

Citing industry sources, MaltaToday said developers Anton Camilleri, Pio Vassallo and Paul Attard, who it said were tenderers for the scheme, left the MDA after disagreeing with the complaint.

The three developers resigned a week after the letter was sent to the Commission.

The MDA argued that the scheme to develop land in Fgura, Marsascala, St Julian’s and Kirkop — where new apartment blocks will be sold at 30% below the market value — amounts to “potential unlawful state aid”, according to a copy of the letter published by the outlet.

Commenting on the developments, Borg accused the prime minister of "managing to divide the business lobby". 

The PN leader said the discontent showed that "there isn’t a level playing field in the country – [Robert] Abela works closely with some while sidelining others ... On the other hand, we’re happy to work with anyone.”

Turning to the PN's electoral programme, which is being coordinated by public policy lecturer George Vital Zammit, Borg said it was nearing completion. 

“We have an alternative government, ready with time frames and costings. I want to make a contract with the people,” he said.