33 Youth Organizations United ... We Want Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action BACK!!!

Thirty-three organisations have so far declared their support to an online petition calling on Parliamentarians and MEPS to seek to work together in working towards the reinstatement of the EU Educational Programmes, which were suspended earlier this month.

The organisations supporting the petition are engaged in various not-for-profit activities and represent the opinions and beliefs of Maltese young people. The following organisations have declared their support to date:

AEGEE-Valletta,
ASA (Arts Student Association),
BetaPsi – Psychology Students Association
Birzebbuga Local Council,
CommA - Communications students' organization,
DESA - Department of English Students’ Association,
ELSA-Malta,
Fondazzjoni IDEAT,
FZL - Forum Zaghzagh Laburisti,
Ghaxaq Local Council,
GHSK - Ghaqda Studenti tal-Kriminologija,
GHSL - L-Ghaqda Studenti tal-Ligi,
Greenhouse – Malta,
GWU Youths,
ICTSA – ICT Students Association
Insite - The Student Media Organisation,
Kite Factory,
Koperattiva Kummerc Gust,
KSJC – Kunsill Studenti Junior College,
Local Councils’ Association,
MMSA - Malta Medical Students' Association,
MOVE Progressive Students,
MUYA - Malta UNESCO Youth Association,
PULSE,
Qrendi Local Council,
Scout Association of Malta,
SDM – Studenti Demokristjani Maltin,
Sezzjoni Kunsilliera PL,
Tarxien Local Council,
The Insiter,
UMGS - University of Malta Geographical Society,
ZAK Malta,
Zminijietna – Lehen ix-Xellug.

This petition underlines the spirit of unity and solidarity currently present among organsiations. Other initiatives taken by eitheir individuals or organisations are also to be endorsed. Particularly worth mentioning is the initiative taken by KSU and KNZ where they are seeking to lobby the Commission for swift action to address the issue.
A copy of the petition will be presented to each member of Parliament before Wednesday's evening sitting.

The full text of the petition is as follows:
The undersigned appeal to the House of Parliament and to the Maltese Delegations in the European Parliament to guarantee the reinstatement of the Youth in Action & Life Long Learning Programmes as soon as possible for the benefit of all students, youths and organisations.

Funds entrusted by the Commission to EUPA were meant to be managed in a sound manner for the benefit of the ultimate beneficiaries - young people, youth NGOs, and students. This whole issue revolves around the sound administration of public funds, and no student, youth or organisation should be made to suffer. EUPA is also the people’s fiduciary, and should be made aware that due to mismanagement, hundreds of individuals now risk losing the opportunity of a lifetime.

We understand that intended beneficiaries of the funds may now have to face extra costs and burdens as a consequence of the Commission's actions. These have to be compensated in full.

This year, €4 million were entrusted by the Commission for the benefit of students, youth organisations and other NGOs alike. Money should not be lost due to EUPA failing to satisfy accountability standards.

We are pleased that an inquiry was launched into the issue and demand a thorough and speedy investigation to ensure that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions. Furthermore, we want to make sure that no approved projects are derailed, no available funds are lost and that the suspension on both programmes is removed as soon as possible.

We note with satisfaction that EUPA is committing itself to providing university students with clear answers as early as next week. However, we stress the importance that EUPA does not adopt a piecemeal approach in finding effective solutions to the issue. One solution could be that, until undergoing investigations are carried out, the Commission itself sets up a temporary procedure for students, youth organisations and NGOs to submit their applications.

We encourage all members of the House of Parliament and the Maltese delegations in the European Parliament to follow the spirit of unity among student organisations, youth organisations and NGOs, to address this problem effectively in the same spirit.

Inadequate Government Housing Policy

The Government apartments that are currently on the market are the same apartments that were on sale two years ago. These apartments did not sell, because in spite of the fact that they are housing apartments and are being sold by the government, the exorbitant prices asked for them meant that they remained unsold.

There is, in fact a 2600 person waiting list for housing assistance, but due to the fact that the majority of these families and persons cannot afford the prices being asked for these government apartments, the apartments remain unsold.

www.maltastar.com

BEWARE... Maltarightnow.com is infected with the new virus named lies.exe

It-Tarzna Safe taht in-Nazzjonalisti ... GIDBA OHRA

A total of 444 students have been disappointed because of the derailment of European-Educational Funds due to the misadministration of funds by the EUPA office.

The Erasmus office informed this e-newspaper that 453 applications were submitted by University students to participate in Erasmus mobility programme during the academic year 2010-2011 and 444 were selected.

The Erasmus office also confirmed that this year, the number of participants was much greater than last year’s, as only 173 students applied during the academic year 2009-2010.

In total, Malta could benefit from an estimated seven million euro between 2007 and 2013.

The European Commission suspended the funds for the funds the Life-Long learning and Youth in Action programmes because of lack of financial assurance from Malta.

www.maltastar.com

Tini slice... le dawk ghal ta' gewwa biss!

L-Accounts Executive tal-kumpa nija tar-reklamar li kienet inkarigata bl-account tal-Aġenzija tal-Programmi tal-UE (EUPA), kienet sa ftit taż-żmien ilu Audrey Abela, it-tfajla tal-Programme Manager tal-aġen zija, Alessandro Cristina, li huwa t-tifel tal-Ministru tal-Edukazzjoni, Do lores Cristina.


Fl-ewwel disa’ xhur tal-2008, l-aġenzija tar-reklamar li taħdem magħha t-tfajla ta’ iben il-Min is tru Cristina, tħallset €35,454.99 f’xogħol ta’ reklamar li jinkludi ħlas ijiet ta’ reklami f’ġurnali. Bħalma seħħ fl-2008, fis-sena preċedenti din il-kumpanija tħallset l-ogħla ammont f’reklamar meta mqabbla ma’ ħlasijiet li saru lill-kumpaniji oħ rajn ta’ reklamar jew mezzi ta’ komunikazzjoni mill-EUPA.

B’rabta mad-deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea li tissos pendi lill-EUPA minn programmi edukattivi li kienu qed jibbenefikaw minn hom bosta għaqdiet taż-żgħażagħ u studenti, l-oriz zont kien miżgħud b’informaz z joni minn ġewwa dwar nies li għandhom taħt idejhom l-operat tal-EUPA, jiġifieri Alessandro Cristina, iben il-Ministru Dolores Cristina u Mauro Pace Parascandalo, il-Kordinatur Nazzjonali tal-EUPA.

“L-iktar ħaġa tad-“daħk” hi li mill-executives kollha li għandha l-kumpanija tar-reklamar inkwistjoni, it-tfajla ta’ Alessandro Cristina kienet appuntu dik li tieħu ħsieb l-account tagħhom (tal-EUPA),” qalu l-imkejjen tagħna waqt li sostnew li dan għal uħud fil-EUPA kien inaċċettabbli min ħabba li s-sieħeb tagħha (Alessandro Cristina), kellu f’idejh informazzjoni kruċjali dwar il-kampanji ta’ reklamar li l-EUPA tkun qed tippjana minn żmien għal żmien.

Sett ta’ domandi mibgħutin minn l-orizzont lil Pace Parascandalo dwar il-mod ta’ kif intefqu l-fondi mill-Aġenzija f’reklamar, kienu evitati milli jitwieġbu mill-Ministeru ta’ Dolores Cristina (li ħa f’idejh il-mistoqsijiet) billi ntqal li “bħalissa l-EUPA m’għan dhiex kuntratt ma’ aġenzija ta’ reklmar.”

Fid-domandi tiegħu l-orizzont staqsa meta tqabbdet l-aġenzija tar-reklamar li taħdem magħha s-sieħba ta’ iben il-ministru, saritx sejħa għall-offerti u min kienu l-kumpaniji li wrew interess fl-offerta.

Staqsejna wkoll x’kien ix-xogħol mogħti lil din il-kumpanija, kemm tħallset tiegħu minn mindu kienet innominata u jikkonfermax li l-Accounts Executive ta’ din il-kumpanija ta’ reklamar res ponsabbli mill-account tal-EUPA, hix is-sieħba ta’ Alessandro Cristina, wieħed mill-maniġers fil-EUPA.

It-tweġiba xotta li waslet mill-Ministeru ta’ Cristina u mhux minn Pace Parascandalo kienet; “Nirriferik għall-ewwel tweġiba”, jiġifieri li bħalissa l-EUPA m’għandhiex kuntratt ma’ aġenzija ta’ reklamar.

B’rabta mad-deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea li tissos pendi żewġ programmi ewlenin li tamministra l-EUPA, jiġifieri l-Lifelong Learning (fir-responsabbilità ta’ Alessandro Cristina) u l-Youth in Action (fir-responsabbilità ta’ Silvano Cristauro), l-imkejjen tagħna kkonfermaw li uffiċjal tal-OLAF, l-Aġenzija Ewropea li tagħmel investigazzjonijiet finanzjarji dwar il-mod ta’ kif ikunu qegħdin jintefqu l-fondi tal-UE, wettqu awditjar tal-EUPA tant li f’Awwissu li għadda ġibdu l-attenzjoni tal-Gvern għall-irregolaritajiet li sabu, iżda li f’dawn ix-xhur kollha ma sar xejn biex ikunu indirizzati.

Fid-deċiżjoni tagħha, il-KE ikkritikat bl-aħrax lill-Aġenzija EUPA għall-mod persistenti li bih naqset li tassiguraha dwar in-nuqqasijiet riferuti lilha u għad-dgħufija tagħha fl-amministrazzjoni marbuta mas-sistema tal-verifiki tal-kontijiet.

“Biex inħarsu l-interessi finanzjarji tal-UE, il-Kummissjoni ddeċidiet li tissospendi l-implimentazzjoni tal-programmi Lifelong Learning u l-Youth in Action f’Malta minħabba n-nuqqas ta’ assigurazzjoni fl-immaniġġjar tal-fondi fil-pajjiż,” qalet il-KE.

Konsegwenza tal-irregolarijiet li nstabu fl-Aġenzija, Malta tista’ titlef mal-€4 miljun b’detriment għal bosta għaqdiet taż-żgħażagħ u individwi li applikaw biex jieħdu sehem fiż-żewġ programmi.

Mistoqsi minn l-orizzont jekk il-Ministeru ta’ Dolores Cristina talabx għar-riżenja tiegħu minn Kordninatur Nazzjonali tal-EUPA u ta’ Alessandro Cristina b’rabta man-nuqqasijiet li sabet il-KE fit-tmexxija tal-aġenzija, il-Ministeru qal li “wara li jsiru l-verifiki meħtieġa, kulħadd irid jerfa’ r-responsabbiltà tiegħu.”

Mistoqsi x’inhuma l-kummenti tiegħu għal dawk l-istudenti universitarji u għaqdiet taż-żgħażagħ li konsegwenza tan-nuqqasijiet tal-EUPA, spiċċaw mhux se jkunu jistgħu jieħdu sehem fil-programmi Ewropew fosthom dawk tal-Erasmus, il-Ministeru qal li l-Aġenzija jiddispjaċiha li xi studenti se jintlaqtu ħażin u hi kommessa li taħdem biex tirrisolvi s-sitwazzjoni fl-iqsar żmien possibbli.

Intant fost dawk milqutin hemm għexieren ta’ studenti li kienu ilhom xhur jippjanaw biex imorru jqattgħu semestru ta’ studju f’universitajiet barranin permezz tal-programm Erasmus. Ittra mibgħuta mill-Universtià ta’ Malta lill-istudenti li kienu aċċettati biex imorru jistudjaw barra permezz tal-programm Erasmus 2010/2011, għarr fithom li l-parteċipazzjoni ta’ Malta f’dan il-programm hija sospiża.

“Għaldaqstant, l-istudenti qed jingħataw il-parir biex ma jkomplux bit-tħejjijiet tagħ hom u b’mod partikolari biex ma jidħlux għal xi obbligazzjoni finanzjarja bħal depożiti għall-akkomodazzjoni, titjir-iet eċċ. sakemm ma tinħareġ notifika oħra,” qalet l-Università ta’ Malta b’referenza għas-sospensjoni ta’ Malta mill-programmi Ewropej.

www.l-orizzont.com

New emblem for PL

For something to remain alive and grow with time change must be made. But on the other hand change is no something easily accepted by everyone, especially if the thing that has to be changed is something that is very much tight to our hearts. The labour Party emblem is one of them, but before one argues that it has to remain the same one has to get in touch with certain important historical facts that characterize our present emblem.
When this emblem was designed it was made in a context in which our country had still been far away from secularization and we were also under colonial rule. This is shown by the yellow background in our emblem representing the allegiance of the party to the Pope and the blue background representing the allegiance to the British Crown. These are all out of date meanings which go against the very principles that today our party is exposing especially when dealing with the separation between church affairs and state affairs. Still the torch which still has great significance up to this date will remain there and so would the Maltese national flag. The new emblem will be chosen after wide consultation within the party structures and finally by the General Conference who would give the final decision on the new emblem chosen. This will all happen in the 90th anniversary celebrations that our party is going to hold next year.
Labour party has made a call for submissions of emblem designs to all those who are interested. These applications may be downloaded from www.mlp.org.mt

Il-Programm Youth in Action sospiz: Dizappunt u rabja fost iz-zghazagh Maltin

Il-Forum Zghazagh Laburisti jinsab dizappuntat hafna wara li thabbar li Malta giet sospiza milli tippartecipa fil-programmi edukattivi tal-Unjoni Ewropea li jaqghu taht il-Youth in Action. Dan id-dizappunt huwa akkumpanjat minn rabja u kundanna lil dawk kollha responsabbli, wara li fl-ittra mibghuta mill-Kummisjoni Ewropea gie specifikat li dan il-pass ittiehed minhabba nuqqas ta' garanziji li bih tmexxew dawn il-fondi ta' l-Unjoni Ewropea mill-ufficju fi hdan il-ministeru ta' Dolores Cristina.

Minhabba n-nuqqas ta’ responsabilita ta ftit individwi, ser ikun numru kbir ta zghazagh li jiccahhad minn opportunitajiet kbar li jezistu permezz ta’dawn il-programmi. Il-Forum Zghazagh Laburisti ilu jiehu sehem f’dawn il-programmi ghal bosta snin, u kienu sors importanti ta taghlim, skambju ta’ ideat u kulturi differenti ghal numru kbir ta' zghazagh Maltin, kif ukoll mezz biex bih gew attirati lejn pajjizna bosta zghazagh minn pajjizi differenti, li zaru Malta ghall-ewwel darba.

Il-Forum Zghazagh Laburisti jawgura li din is-sitwazzjoni tirrisolvi ruha kemm jista jkun malajr ghall-gid tal-ghaqdiet taz-zghazagh kollha, kif ukoll li l-persuni responsabbli minn din is-sitwazzjoni imbarazzanti jhallsu ta emilhom.

European Commission Suspends Funds for Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action

The European Commission because of lack of good administration by the ministry of Dolores Cristina has suspended all the funds of Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action programs. Many Maltese Youths and NGO's were using these funds in a very pro active way by organizing cultural exchanges and also education activities in collaboration with other European youths. Because of Dolores Cristina's lack of good governance of these funds all these youths are going to miss out hundreds of opportunities to organize similar joint ventures with other European youths.
It is estimated that between 2007-13 our young generation could have benefited from over 7,000,000 euro from this fund, but Dolores was indifferent about this and did not bother that her lack of accountability could effect negatively hundreds of Maltese youths. What a shame of a government, basta l-pampaluni ta' l-Ewropa hey!
I think that its the duty of all the youth organizations who have benefited from these funds during the last years to show their anger for the Government's deficiencies which have effected them directly!
Shame on you and you Dolores and Lorry... THIS IS UTTERLY DISGRACEFUL

15-il mizura konkreta ghal tmexxija ahjar - Joseph Muscat

Jekk il-Partit Laburista jinghata l-fiducja li jmexxi l-pajjiz wara l-elezzjoni li jmiss, se nwettqu dawn il-15-il proposta konkreta ghal tmexxija ahjar:

- L-ewwel nett naghmlu minn kollox sabiex mill-aktar fis possibbli, u minghajr dewmien, tigi garantita provvista ta' energija elettrika adegwata ghall-bzonnijet ta' pajjizna, liema provvista trid tkun kapaci li tlahhaq ukoll mall-htigijet ta' l-izvilupp ekonomiku u socjali li ghalih nkunu qed nahdmu.

- Nibdew immedjatament il-process li permezz tieghu inbiddlu l-operat tal-estensjoni tal-power station minn heavy fuel oil ghal sistemi ohra li huma aktar sostenibbli ghas-sahha tal-familji u ghall-ambjent. Dan isir minghajr ma jintefghu pizijiet godda fuq il-familji u negozji Maltin u Ghawdxin ghaliex teknologiji aktar indaf se jsiru aktar accessibbli. Jekk dan il-Gvern m’ ghandux problema biex isib €100 miljun ghal Parlament gdid, €53 miljun biex jixtri lura weghda qarrieqa li ghamel lis-sidien tal-karozzi tal-linja, €75 miljun ghal self lill-Grecja, €350 bhala garanzija ghal Fond gdid Ewropew, u sadattant ibiegh ass strategiku bhat-Tarzna ghal €3 miljuni biss fis-sena, il-Gvern Malti li jmiss mhux se jzomm lura biex isib flus ghal sahhet il-poplu.

- Insahhu idejn l-Awditur Generali billi naghtuh aktar poteri biex jinvestiga, specjalment fil-kaz ta’ persuni li ma jkunux iridu jikkollaboraw. L-Awditur Generali jkun jista’ juza dawn il-poteri biex, jekk ikun il-kaz, jerga’ jiftah kazijiet bhal tal-BWSC fejn ma sabx ghajnuna minn xhieda krucjali.

- Innehhu l-Ligi tal-Preskrizzjoni ghall-politici, biex minn issa ‘il quddiem l-ebda politiku ma jkollu rasu mistrieha li jekk jghaddu 10 snin minn meta jkun imdahhal f’ korruzzjoni ma tkun tista’ tittiehed l-ebda azzjoni fil-konfront tieghu. B’ hekk ikunu jistghu jittiehdu passi kontra politici f’ kull hin meta jkun hemm provi.

- Indahhlu ligi serja li tipprotegi lil dawk kollha, inkluz ufficjali pubblici u kumpaniji, li jista’ jkollhom informazzjoni gdida u fondata dwar dan il-kaz u kazijiet ohra, biex jigu ‘il quddiem minghajr biza halli l-informazzjoni tigi investigata.

- Naghtu opportunita’ lil persuni u kumpaniji li ghandhom informazzjoni siewja u li anki setghu kienu involuti f’ atti ta’ korruzzjoni politika biex jersqu ‘il quddiem bid-dettalji ta’ dawn l-atti. Dawk li jikkollaboraw u jaghtu l-informazzjoni dwar politici involuti jinghataw il-protezzjoni mehtiega u anki, meta jkun il-kaz, ma jittehdux passi fil-konfront taghhom.

- F’ kaz ta’ proceduri legali, il-Gvern Malti jidhol bhala parti fil-kawza u jitlob li l-politici u dawk li jkunu hadu flus biex ihallsuhom lura lill-poplu Malti.

- Persuni u kumpaniji li jinstabu hatja ta’ korruzzjoni jigu blacklisted mall-ewwel mill-Gvern Malti u ma jithallewx jiehdu sehem f’ offerti u kuntratti tal-Gvern ghal perjodu determinat skond il-gravita’ tal-kaz.

- Persuni u kumpaniji li jkunu blacklisted minhabba korruzzjoni minn organizazzjonijiet internazzjonali, bhal Bank Dinji, l-Unjoni Ewropea u l-Bank ghall-Investiment Ewropew, jigu skwalifikati awtomatikament milli jiehdu kuntratti tal-Gvern.

- Indahhlu fis-sehh, hekk kif rakkomandat mill-Awditur Generali, id-Direttiva Ewropea 2007/66/EC, li suppost dahlet fis-sehh is-sena li ghaddiet, u li permezz taghha jittejjbu l-proceduri u tiddahhal aktar trasparenza fil-mod ta’ kif jinghataw kuntratti pubblici.

- Indahhlu fis-sehh ghal kollox u ntejjbu l-Att dwar il-Liberta’ tal-Informazzjoni, mahsub li jzid it-transparenza tal-Gvern, u li izda hafna minnu ghadu ma giex implimentat.

- Naghmluha cara minn issa li se nzommu personalment responsabbli lis-Segretarji Permanenti u lic-Chairmen tal-entitajiet governattivi fil-kaz li ma jinsabux files u dokumentazzjoni dwar dan il-kaz u kazijiet ohra.

- Jigi mtejjeb il-Kodici ta’ Etika ghac-Chairpersons ta’ awtoritajiet u entitajiet pubblici sabiex jigu identifikati u evitati kunflitti ta’ interess.

- Indahhlu Kummissarju Parlamentari ghall-Istandards, mahtur mill-Kamra tar-Rapprezentanti, li b’ mod indipendenti jissorvelja l-imgieba tal-Membri Parlamentari, inkluz il-Membri tal-Kabinet, jara li x-xoghol u interessi finanzjarji kollha taghhom ikunu dikjarati, jinvestiga kif jidhirlu xieraq, jirraporta lill-Ispeaker u jippubblika r-rapporti tieghu.

- Indahhlu Ligi tal-Finanzjament tal-Partiti biex nassiguraw li flus li jkunu gejjin, direttament jew indirettament, minn korruzzjoni ma jintuzawx biex jigu mghejjuna partiti u politici individwali.

Konferenza tal-Ahbarijiet minn Joseph Muscat,13 ta’ Mejju 2010

Dan huwa mument li jiddefinixxi dak kollu li nemmen jien, li jemmnu fih hafna haddiema, studenti, self employed, middle class, pensjonanti, nisa u irgiel, Maltin u Ghawdxin.

Min qed imexxi l-pajjiz mhux qed juri r-rieda u l-qawwa li jiehu d-decizjonijiet li hemm bzonn sabiex l-Istat ikun gwida ghat-tmexxija tajba, good governance f’ pajjizna. Minflok, l-istandards governattivi tbaxxew ghal livelli inaccettabbli. Jekk ghal Prim Ministru dan kollu jghaddi, ghalija ma jghaddix.

Jien nifhem li hafna jhossu bhali li dan kollu mhux accettabbli.

Dak kollu li pajjizna ghadda minnu f’ dawn l-ahhar gimghat wara r-rapport tal-Awditur Generali dwar l-iskandlu tal-power station tal-BWSC juri, b’ mod car aktar minn qatt qabel, id-differenza enormi bejn l-affarijiet kif inhuma llum taht dan il-Gvern, u l-affarijiet kif irriduhom ahna u kif jixraqilna li jkunu bhala poplu.

Kellna issa l-prova ta’ fatti ta’ x’ jaghmel min ghandu l-poter f’ idejh meta ffaccjat bi kliem tant iebes u b’ konkluzjonijiet tant sodi minghand istituzzjoni li tgawdi l-fiducja tal-Kamra tar-Rapprezentanti kollha kemm hi.

Nemmen li din hija opportunita’ li nitkellmu dwar ir-responsabilita’ tal-ghemil, l-accountability, xi haga li qisha saret kelma barranija ghas-sistema ta’ Gvern f’ pajjizna.

Il-Maltin u l-Ghawdxin jafu xi tfisser responsabilta’ tal-ghemil. Jafu xi tfisser accountability. Tezisti f’ hafna kazi fis-settur privat. Tezisti fil-volontarjat. Tezisti fil-familji taghna, fejn kull min jiehu decizjoni, jerfaha. Ma tezistix biss fi hdan dan il-Gvern.

Il-Prim Ministru kellu opportunita’ tad-deheb li juri li jiddispjacih ghal dak li sar, ghal dak li halla jsir, u jipprova jsewwi l-affarijiet. Minflok, ghazel li jiddefendi l-medjokrita’ ta’ standards li halla titrabba u wera insensittivita’ meta ma fehemx dak li qed ihossu eluf ta’ familji meta raw dan l-iskandlu jinfetah quddiemhom.

Il-Prim Ministru wera insensittivita’ inkredibbli ghas-sentimenti tal-Maltin u l-Ghawdxin, kemm dawk li vvutawlu kif ukoll dawk li ma vvutawlux, li kienu skandalizzati mill-medjokrita’ ta’ standards ta’ dan il-Gvern.

Dak li rajna kien Prim Ministru ta’ Gvern arroganti mall-poplu tieghu.

Nemmen li min ivvota lil Lawrence Gonzi sentejn ilu jaf li Lawrence Gonzi ta’ qabel l-elezzjoni, il-hin kollu jheggek biex tivvutalu ghax mhux se jigu ripetuti l-istess zbalji, li jghidlek li bih se tkun mohhok mistrieh, li jghidlek li kollox huwa possibbli, issa sparixxa ghal kollox.

Minflok fegg Lawrence Gonzi arroganti, insensittiv u maqtugh minn dak li qed ihossu l-familji. Forsi jerga’ jghidilhom l-istess kliem qabel l-elezzjoni li gejja, izda issa jafu bil-fatti x’ isarraf.

Lawrence Gonzi m’ ghadux aktar kredibbli.

Rega sab kull skuza biex ma jiehux azzjoni.

Sahansitra pprova jiggustifika li ma jaghmel xejn ghax qal li qeghdin tard fil-pjan biex ikollna provvista’ adekwata ta’ energija.

Jippretendi li l-poplu ghandu jaccetta kollox, inkluz dak li mhux lecitu, minhabba l-inkompetenza tal-Gvern tieghu stess.

Eluf ta’ haddiema, self employed, studenti, pensjonanti – nisa u irgiel Maltin u Ghawdxin li ta’ kull jum jiehdu decizjonijiet u jinzammu responsabbli ghal dawn id-decizjonijiet, li forsi jiehdu l-mertu meta jkunu tajbin u jhallsu meta ma jkunux, skantaw meta semghu lill-Prim Ministru ta’ pajjizna jghid li hadd m’ ghandu jerfa r-responsabilta’ ta’ dak li gara.

Ma setghux jemmnu lil ghajnejhom meta raw politici ta’ dan il-Gvern jiddefendu lil min ghazel li ma jitkellimx f’ investigazzjoni tant serja li tinvolvi tant miljuni u li fiha hemm involuti ukoll in-nifs u s-sahha tat-tfal u tal-familji.

Ma setghux jifmhu kif il-Gvern ma ghamel xejn meta ntqal li ufficjali tieghu ma ghenux fl-investigazzjoni u sahansitra l-Awditur ma emminx affarijiet li qalulu.

Ma setghux igerrhu li ufficjali tal-Enemalta qalu quddiem il-MEPA li kollox kien lest dwar il-ftehim biex l-iskart velenuz li se johrog mill-power station jigi esportat, imbaghad qalu lill-Awditur li dan il-ftehim ma jezistix, u wara rega dawwru il-verzjoni.

Ma setghux jifmhu li l-Gvern accetta li jesperimenta b’ impjant prototip fuq sahhet il-familji u nifs uliedna.

Iffacjat b’ dawn l-akkuzi kollha, il-Gvern attakka lill-Awditur u akkuzah b’ manipulazzjoni.

Li jridu jkunu jafu l-Maltin u l-Ghawdxin huwa min u ghaliex accetta li t-taxpayers ikollhom ihallsu kemm jekk il-progett idum ma jsir kif ukoll jekk jitlesta kmieni.

Iridu jkunu jafu min u ghaliex accetta li l-kuntrattur ma jaghtix garanzija li l-ammont tad-dhahen li qed jghid li se johorgu mill-power station huma vera.

Iridu jkunu jafu min u ghaliex iddecieda li jkomplu jiddefendu lic-chairman tal-Enemalta li kellu kunflitt ta’ interess u li l-Awditur qal li kellu jirrizenja.

Responsabilta’ tal-ghemil. Accountability. Li kulhadd jerfa d-decizjonijiet li jiehu u mhux ifarfar fuq iz-zghir u l-middle class li jispiccaw ihallsu ghal kollox bi b’ sahhithom u bi flushom.

Min huwa responsabbli mit-tmexxija governattiva, u jostor mill-Awditur huwa komplici u mhux qed ikun responsabbli lejn il-poplu ghaliex dan huwa dover li qed jonqos milli jwettaq.

It-taxpayers ghandhom id-dmir li jhallsu t-taxxi, izda l-Prim Ministru u l-Ministri li jiehdu hsieb dawn il-flus huma responsabbli li dawn jintuzaw bl-ahjar mod possibbli.

Ir-responsabilta’ tal-ghemil u l-accountability huma l-kuntrarju ezatt tal-korruzzjoni.

Ikun hemm min iwissini biex ma nitkellimx dwar korruzzjoni ghax il-poplu taghna draha, ghax nista’ ngerrex il-voti, ghax jispicca jiekolha z-zghir li ha loqma filwaqt li l-huta l-kbira li tkun thanzret dejjem tahrab, ghax ftit huma dawk li jemmnu li jista’ jsir xi haga dwarha.

Dan igeghlni nirrifletti.

Ghaliex nitkellmu dwar korruzzjoni politika?

Forsi ghaliex nghiru ghal min hu korrott?

Forsi ghaliex bhala partit li ilna tant snin barra l-poter u m’ ghandniex il-gidma taghna minn dan il-cake?

Xejn minn dan.

Qed nitkellmu kontra l-korruzzjoni politika ghax il-korruzzjoni tkisser l-ekonomija, tgholli l-prezzijiet u tnaqqas l-opportunitajiet ta’ xoghol.

Qed nitkellmu kontra l-korruzzjoni politika ghax din tostakola kull sforz biex bhala pajjiz nizviluppaw socjalment u ekonomikament, u tigbidna lura lejn is-sottozvilupp.

Il-korruzzjoni tisraq liz-zghir, middle class u anki lil kbir li hu onest, jahdem u jhallas it-taxxi, biex igawdi lil min irid isir sinjur malajr, mhux b’ hiltu izda ghax jaf min fejn ghandu jghaddi. Lil min jixtri lil politici u lil min jahseb li l-flus huma aktar b’ sahhithom mill-gustizzja.

Fi kliem iehor, il-korruzzjoni hija taxxa li thallsu int u l-familja tieghek, b’ sahhitkom u bi fluskom.

Il-korruzzjoni hija mazzra ma’ ghonq il-familji habrieka u onesti.

Ghaliex nitkellem dwar il-korruzzjoni politika?

Ghaliex niftakar f’ dak il-haddiem li kull filghodu jqum fil-hamsa biex jilhaq tal-linja biex imur ix-xoghol, imbaghad jara kif jipprova ikollu xoghol iehor part-time biex ma jcahhad xejn lil uliedu, u mall-inqas nuqqas jehel warning u jissogra li jitlef xoghlu.

Ghaliex niftakar f’ dik il-mara li tixtieq aktar hin biex trabbi lil uliedha, izda jkollha thallihom ma’ ommha biex hi ukoll tohrog tahdem sabiex ilahhqu mall-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma.

Ghaliex niftakar f’ dak in-negozjant iz-zghir li qed ihoss in-nuqqas fil-bejgh u minflok ghajnuna isib tfixkil, minflok min jaghmillu kuragg isib min jaqtalu qalbu, minflok min jara x’ ghandu bzonn isib dejjem xi awtorita’ jew ohra tigri wara biebu u wara flusu.

Ghaliex niftakar f’ dak il-missier tal-familja li jipprezenta tard xi dokument tat-taxxa u jispicca jehel multi oghla minn dak li jkollu jhallas.

Ghaliex niftakar f’ dik il-familja middle class li kellhom jaqtghu lura mil-livell tal-ghixien li draw bih u ghall-ewwel darba f’ hafna snin qed ihossuhom li qed jahdmu aktar biex jaqilghu anqas.

Ghaliex niftakar f’ dak il-businessman li naqaslu x-xoghol, li qed jaghmel minn kollox biex ma jkecci lil hadd, u li qalulu li m’ hemmx flus ghal micro credit scheme.

Ghaliex niftakar f’ dik l-anzjana li taf li ma tistax tkompli tistenna fil-waiting list tal-operazzjonijiet u bilfors trid tiehu mill-ftit li gemmghet, u trid tumilja ruhha li titlob minghand uliedha biex tmur privat.

Ghaliex niftakar f’ dak l-istudent li gej minn familja fqira u li jrid ghajnuna ta’ ftit mijiet ta’ Ewro biex jidhol l-MCAST, izda qalulu li flus ghalih m’ hemmx.

Imbaghad ghandna lil min, ghax hu b’ sahhtu u jaf lin-nies fil-politika, jirbah kuntratt mimli b’ irregolaritajiet, ma jghinx lil min ikun qed jinvestiga, u jdahhal €4 miljun fil-but.

B’ daqqa ta’ pinna qala dak li hafna Maltin u Ghawdxin iridu jahdmu 300 sena biex jaqilghuhom.

Qala dawn il-flus fi process mimli rregolaritajiet.

U ghal dawn il-flus se thallas int, b’ sahhtek u bi flusek.

Qed nghixu f’ pajjiz fejn l-ebda politiku qatt ma garr responsabilta’, ahseb u ara kemm instab hati, fuq korruzzjoni.

Lawrence Gonzi jinsab kuntent li jaccetta din is-sitwazzjoni medjokri li hija offiza ghall-intelligenza tat-taxpayers Maltin u Ghawdxin, u meta kellu l-opportunita’ sab kull skuza biex ma jiehux azzjoni minkejja rapport iebes u bla precedent mill-Awditur Generali dwar l-iskandlu tal-power station tal-BWSC. U din ma kienetx l-ewwel darba li minflok jaffaccja l-problemi, jipprova jahrabhom.

Din mhix imgieba li tixraq u tisthoqq lill-eluf ta’ familji u negozji habrieka Maltin u Ghawdxin li qed jintalbu jhallsu taxxi u kontijiet dejjem oghla, u se jkunu qed ibatu anki b’ sahhithom.

L-argument ewlieni li smajna matul dawn l-ahhar gimghat kien li la ma kienx hemm “provi konklussivi” ta’ korruzzjoni, allura ma hemm ghalfejn jigri xejn. Dan huwa atteggjament tipiku ta’ min mhux interessat li jiggieled il-korruzzjoni.

Kif kien jghid Eddie Fenech Adami, “Min ma jiggielidx il-korruzzjoni huwa korrott.”

U waqt li ghaddejja din il-kwistjoni kollha nsiru nafu li mill-inqas kumpanija wahda li nstabet hatja ta’ korruzzjoni fil-kaz enormi tal-VAT, mhux talli ma ntalbitx taghti l-flus lura, izda sahansitra baqghet tinghata kuntratti mill-Gvern ta’ Lawrence Gonzi wara li nqata l-kaz fil-Qorti.

Bilfors irridu nitkellmu u mhux naghlqu ghajnejna. Harsu lejn x’ gara fil-Grecja fejn ghal tant snin ghalqu ghajnejhom ghal korruzzjoni, hallew l-affarijiet isiru, u issa l-poplu Grieg qed ikollu jhallas kont enormi tal-korruzzjoni li halla ssir Gvern Konservattiv, u li qed tissogra li tirvina l-pajjiz ghal generazzjoni shiha.

Mhux se nhallu li dan jigri lilna ukoll.

Fil-Parlament, minkejja l-kliem kollha, kien biss il-Partit Laburista wahdu, f’ isem il-Moviment tal-Progressivi u Moderati, li ha pozizzjoni cara u soda kontra l-korruzzjoni politika, filwaqt li b’ mod dubjuz il-Gvern ta’ Lawrence Gonzi ta l-approvazzjoni tieghu ghal dak li gara, u li int qed thallas ghaliha b’ sahhtek u bi flusek.

Imbasta l-kliem kollu dwar valuri. Dawn il-waqtiet jixdhu l-veru valuri.

Din il-medjokrita’ ta’ standards u omerta’ mhix aktar accettabbli ghal dan il-poplu Ewropew.

Iz-zminijiet meta isiru hnizrijiet bhal dik li rajna u l-Gvern jaghti l-barka tieghu ghandhom jispiccaw.

Hemm bzonn rieda politika biex dan kollu jsir. Din ir-rieda trid tibda minn fuq nett.

Ahna lesti li nuru t-triq u nmexxu ‘il quddiem. Biex naghmlu hekk ghandna bzonn l-appogg ta’ kull min hu ta’ rieda tajba.

Ghandna bzonn l-appogg tal-haddiema, tal-middle class, self employed, studenti, pensjonanti – nisa u rgiel Maltin u Ghawdxin onesti.

Ghandna bzonn l-appogg tas-settur privat, tal-eluf ta’ negozjanti li xebghu minn din is-sistema.

Ghandna bzonn l-appogg tat-trade unions, tal-ghaqdiet tan-negozju, tas-socjeta’ civili u tal-Knisja biex nibdew pagna gdida bhala pajjizna.

Mhux b’ vendikazzjoni, izda ghax hekk veru jixraqilhom il-familji Maltin u Ghawdxin.

Jekk Lawrence Gonzi kuntent bis-sitwazzjoni tal-lum, jien m’ inix.

Din hija d-differenza bejnietna.

Il-verita’ tibqa li min ma jiggielidx il-korruzzjoni huwa korrott.

Ambjent Ahjar... Sahha Ahjar

Forum Zghazagh Laburisti (Paola/Fgura) are going to organize an environmental awareness day next Sunday at Fgura (opposite to HSBC). A discussion will afterwards follow and Labour Leader Joseph Muscat will address all those present for this activity.
If you really care about our environment, if you really care for your children's health, Join us next Sunday.

Tonio made a Terrinata and Bondi has done a Qassata

The most impartial presenter that our National Television has ever seen, Lou Bondi and his Bond Girl Rachel Vella in a panicky statement when reacting to maltastar.com story, claimed that they had no hidden agenda and they just double checked with Gordon Pisani on what Toni l-giddieb had just said.
Maltastar also confirmed that Tonio Borg apart from a personal spiritual director has also a press aide who happens to be Melvin Mangion. Racheal Bond(i) opted for Gordon Pisani who happens to be one of Gonzi's closest allies to see what Tonio Liar Borg had just said.
O miskin Lou Bondi kemm hu innocenti, ghalfejn toqghdu tghajruh imparzjali? And the Broadcasting Authority miskin ghalfejn toqghod taqbad mijaw ghalxejn b'xejn u twehhlu multa wara lohra?
An honest advice Lou... mhux ahjar tmur toqod tisma daqsxejn lil Led Zepplin jew daqsxejn Pink Floyd and you chill a bit jew! ... qed ikkidek wisq Lorry!

Peppi ta' Xarabank Comments on Mario Galea

This comment was made by Peppi Azzoppardi (on timesofmalta.com), il-konduttur imparzjali u indipendenti ta' Xarabank.

'Ghandi l-unur nghid li kont jien li hajjart lil MARIO GALEA jidhol fil-politika. Unur ghax Mario huwa politiku li jghix dak li jemmen. Politiku li jhoss u jahdem bla nifs ghal dawk l-aktar fil-bzonn u minn taht fis-socjeta. . Minn meta sar Segretarju Parlamentari Mario ghamel rivoluzzjoni siekta izda effettiva boghod hafna drabi mill-cameras izda vicin in-nies. Mario jhares lejn is-servizzi lejn ic-cittadini mhux bhala pjaciri jew karita izda bhala dritt. Titkellem ma Mario isibu jitbaqbaq ghax ghad hemm kategoriji li mhux nifhmu bizzejjed minn x'hix jghaddu kuljum. F'dawn il-kategoriji Mario jdahhal l-annimali bla vot. Meta kien hawn ic-Cirku bl-annimali hareg ghonqu u spicca fil-Qorti. Naf cert li ghad-difiza ta l-annimali Mario lest anke jmur il-habs. Fl-imghoddi Mario kien il-vittma ta vjolenza fuqu u fuq il-familja tieghu ghax zamm u ggieled ghall-l;iberta u d-demokrazija. Bir-ragun il-Priministru ma jaccetax ir-rizenja ta' Mario Galea......Pajjizna ghad ghandu bzonn ir rivoluzzjoni u l-impenn u -hidma li Mario se jkompli jaghmel biex kif tassew jemmen Mario -HADD MA JIBQA LURA.'

And Where's Everybody wants us to believe that their programs are impartial and just with both political parties... Come On! Still not sure about the outcome of tonight's Bondi Gonzi edition on the same controversy! Now below I am posting another interesting article about Mario Galea li skond peppi jghix biex iservi. This article was featured on Maltarightnow.com

Attakk vandalu fuq il-karozza uffiċjali ta' Mario Galea

"24 ta' Diċembru, 2009 11:46 CET

F'xi ħin il-lejl li għadda, il-karozza uffiċjali użata mis-Segretarju Parlamenentari għall-Anzjani u l-Kura fil-Komunita' Mario Galea kienet il-mira ta' vandaliżmu.

F'dan l-attakk, il-karozza, li kienet ipparkjata quddiem ir-residenza tas-sewwieq ta' Galea, fiż-Żejtun, ġarrbet ammont ta' grif u nkiteb fuqha kliem oxxen kontra s-segretarju parlamentari.

Intant, fi stqarrija, il-Partit Nazzjonalista kkundanna dan l-att u fisser il-ħidma tas-Segretarju Parlamentari bħala waħda importanti fil-qasam tas-saħħa u l-anzjani, liema servizz jagħtih b'dedikazzjoni u impenn, filwaqt li qal li dan l-att vandalu bl-ebda mod m'hu se jxekkel lil Mario Galea fil-ħidma u d-dedikazzjoni tiegħu.

Kundanna oħra ġiet mill-Partit Laburista."

After a couple of days of prompt investigation it was found that it was Mario Galea's driver who had done these acts of vandalism on his official car! These are the values of Mario Galea! Proset Peppi ghandek biex titfahar, ixghelu xemgha ghall-ftit lil Mario ta' sidek!

David Drama Queen Agius was Scandalized.. poor chap

Underneath I am posting PN's whip comments on the Incidents which happened during the voting on LP's motion last Thursday.These comments were posted on MaltaRightNow.com

"David Agius, il-Whip tal-Grupp Parlamentari tal-PN li ddeskriva dan l-episodju bħala wieħed li ħadu lura fis-snin 70 u 80 u kien wieħed mill-agħar mumenti tal-karriera politika tiegħu. Hu semma x-xeni ta' għajb, l-għajjat u l-isteriżmu min-naħa tal-Opożizzjoni kif ukoll mill-partitarji Laburisti li kienu fl-istrangers gallery."

Poor David Agius he is still traumatized by Labour MP's shouting but he saw nothing wrong in watching Tonio Borg lying in the faces of thousands of Maltese families listening to the debate saying that Hon Justyne Caruana voted No for the motion! David Copycat Agius saw nothing strange in this darkest hour of Maltese political history, when our democracy was undermined by the goverment's behaviour, when the result of the vote was not read out and another vote had to be taken to accomodate Gonzi, Joseph Mizzi, Zaren Vasallo, Alex J Tranter, BWSC, and Austin Gatt.

What a bunch of tradituri and giddibin!

Joseph Muscat reacting to Government's anti-democractic vote on BWSC

Liars Exposed by Parliamentary sound clip

A Recording of last Thursday parliamentary debate on LP's motion confirms that the vote on the motion was 35 in favour and 34 against, after Mario Galea’s vote. This also confirms that Tonio Borg is a liar par excellence! Today Net News also said that a couple of Nationalist MP's have also heard Justyne Caruana voting No for the motion. Together with Tonio Borg they must be awarded a Phd in Lying skills.

How low can PN apologists go in trying to continue carrying on with this vicious,stupid and infantile lie!

LISTEN TO THE SOUND CLIP ON MALTASTAR
http://maltastar.com/pages/r1/ms10dart.asp?a=8986

Demokrazzija Mhedda - Stqarrija FZL

Il-Forum Zghazagh Laburisti jikkundanna dak li gara fil-parlament il-bierah. Hija inaccettabbli li wara li ttiehed vot, il-Vici Prim Minsitru jakkuza lill-Membru Parlamentari Laburista Justyne Caruana li vvutat kontra l-mozzjoni mressqa mill-Kap tal-Oppozizzjoni Joseph Muscat sabiex jitharbat il-process tal-vot. L-Ispeaker Michael Frendo agixxa b’mod deplorabbli, fejn ceda ghall-pressjoni tal-Partit Nazzjonalista u ma kienx kapaci jiddeciedi fuq dak li kullhadd seta jara u jisma.
Il-jum tal-bierah jibqa mfakkar bhala teghba kbira fl-istorja tad-demokrazzija moderna f’pajjizna. L-oghla istituzzjoni tal-pajjiz giet irredikolata u komplew jintbaghtu messagi negattivi li jbedu n-nies mill-politika. Ahna z-zghazagh m’ahniex lesti li naccettaw attitudni simili, fejn ghandna pajjiz mmexxi minn Gvern li lest jghawweg kull tip ta’ fatti biex jaqdi l-bzonnijiet tieghu, anke jekk bl-aktar mod anti-demokratiku.
Il-bierah kompla johrog fic-car id-differenza bejn iz-zewg partiti politici llum – fuq naha ghandna Gvern li lest sahansitra jiddefendi korruzzjoni lampanti anke b’mezzi li jmorru kontra kull principju demokratiku, u fuq in-naha l-ohra ghandna Oppozizzjoni serja li lesta tiddefendi l-interessi tal-poplu Malti akkost ta’ kollox, fejn is-sahha u l-futur tac-cittadini jigu l-ewwel u qabel kollox.

Solidarity with Labour Mps.

In this dark page in Maltese political history i wish to express my solidarity with the Labour Mps who suffered such undemocratic and vile attacks last Thursday night in Parliament during the Delimara power station extension vote.
Deputy Prime Minister Toni Borg lied in front of thousands of Maltese citizens who were eagerly listening to the debate that Justyne Caruana voted No for the motion presented by LP. How low can this government go! Tonio Borg did not bother that Justyne Caruana is pregnant and that with his vicious lie she was emotionally and in a way also physically negatively effected.
These are the angli tal-paci, these are the paladini tad-demokrazija u liberta'!
With this shameful move the Nationalist government has ridiculed our highest legislative institution, scattering into pieces public faith in it.
Dr Carmelo Abela's resignation from Deputy Speaker of the House was a very symbolic one and it showed the government that the Opposition must be respected and that such undemocratic moves are only performed in totalitarian regimes!
Solidarity with Labour Mps, we are all behind you, never surrender to comedies of such a bunch of bullies!

DARKEST HOUR IN MALTESE POLITICAL HISTORY

A threat to Democracy was seen and heard today in Parliament when Pl's motion on the Power Station extension was passed with 35 votes in favor and 34 votes against. Mario Galea voted in favour of this motion with PL and the Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg said that Justyne Caruna had votes against.
These are all signs of how undemocratic the Nationalist government is! Malta has ended up being a Zimbabwe in the Mediterranean... truly the darkest hour in Maltese political history!

Cleaner environment and politics

Today's debate in Parliament on the Delimara power station extension motion is about values, all our values. We either value our families' health above all else or we don't. We either strive for better health for all our tomorrows and, of course ,cheaper bills, or we don't. And the results are the clearly unacceptable things this government has done, and is doing, on our behalf.
The motion is essentially calling for the best, cleanest and cheapest technology for the crucial energy generation plant that will be used for the next two decades or more. This is what the government said three and a half years ago when it opted for gas-fired power stations. And now it is going totally opposite by choosing heavy fuel oil.
Today's debate will also discuss the irregularities in the process that awarded the contract to BWSC, irregularities the Auditor General confirmed in his report.
The Parliamentary debate today will continue to further stress the stark contrast between our movement, which is there for your families and your children, and a party of the past, which is ready to accept mediocre standards while putting your family in a position of very high risk.
Today, in Parliament, we have a clear choice: we are either on your side or against you. And, once again, we will choose to be on your side. That is why the issue being debated is not merely Nationalist Party versus Labour Party but, rather, the overriding values of a movement of the future as opposed to the politics of the past.
We stand for cleaner environment and cleaner politics, which puts you at the centre of our decisions.
Politicians and political decisions should never put people, or the entities who supply services to people, "in a position of very high risk". That is the very opposite of what good politics should be about. The "position of very high risk" was how the Auditor General himself precisely described the outcome of this whole sorry power station extension saga. That was the Auditor General's assessment of where we have been placed by Enemalta, which signed this deal with "undue haste" on behalf of this country and all its people.
As a responsible opposition we highlighted all the main flaws in the whole tender process at an early stage. The government chose to ignore us, even though dark clouds were looming. The deal was signed on the same day the Auditor General started investigating it.
Let us be absolutely clear. The Auditor General endorsed all our concerns. It is highly irresponsible and misleading of the Prime Minister to try to indicate otherwise. That is why those who will be voting against our motion this evening will be voting against the report of the Auditor General.
The government has made a bad choice both financially and for the health of our children. Our financial health and our physical health are the two most important and intricately interconnected areas that concern us all. Labour is not going to accept this threat to our future.
All this comes after the government ignored the endemic problems of Enemalta for years: a government that did not balance the books but kept on trying to borrow itself out of problems. Now people have to pay through higher bills for this government's waste and profligacy. Most insulting of all though is the fact that our health is not even this government's primary concern.
The PL, though, will, and is, putting your health first. Not just your financial health but your physical well being too.
Malta has a high cancer rate. We have to clean up our air and our environment. We have to clean up and remedy the way we acquired a power station. This problem cannot be ignored. It is disgraceful to add to this tragedy by not going for the cleanest possible technology in the cheapest and most transparent possible way.
On both counts, Lawrence Gonzi's government has failed you badly. We will not let this rest. We will serve you far better.

Dr Muscat is Leader of the Opposition and of the Labour Party.

Times of Malta Editorial - Fairmount, BWSC a tale of two contracts

Fairmount and BWSC are unlikely to move out of the political radar screen unless a way is found of neutralising the fallout that has arisen from the claims of corruption made in the two cases. Both are politically damaging to the Nationalist government and both will be taken as examples showing lack of good governance and political accountability.
In both cases too, it is clear that public opinion is not satisfied with the outcome of the investigations done so far and demands for further action aimed at finding the whole truth are expected to build up over time. This is as it should be for taxpayers' money is involved in both contracts.
Particularly worrying is the way the government has been trying to deflect the unfavourable impact on political responsibility resulting from, in the case of the Fairmount, the study made by an auditing firm, and, in the second, the report by the Auditor General, when, had it been more vigilant at every stage leading to the award of the contracts, it would have avoided the flak it is getting now.
It would seem that often enough the government is acting rashly as in its enthusiasm to defend itself at all costs it fails to adequately assess the implications of assessments made by those whom it asks to investigate. This has glaringly been the case in the Fairmount ship conversion contracts and, even more so, in that of the award of the contract for new power generation plant at Delimara.
It is all very well for the government to say now that it would seriously look into the recommendations made by the Auditor General in the case of the Delimara contract. But the investigation is as yet inconclusive. The mind simply boggles at the number of serious shortcomings listed by the Auditor General.
In the case of the Fairmount, all is sadly lost as the dockyard has now been closed and sold to an Italian company when, had there been greater job responsibility all round, from workers at shop-floor level to management, the board and the ministry responsible for the shipyards, the situation could have taken a different turn.
Some may well argue that the writing had been on the wall for years. There is more than a grain of truth in this as none of the reforms launched since 1982 had borne fruit. Even so, one of the conclusions reached by the auditing firm investigating the Fairmount contract beggars belief. In plain language, it was established that the job was a loss-making venture before it even began. This is far too serious to be taken lightly by anyone, more so by the ministry that was responsible for the shipyards.
The auditing firm found that the yard's management allowed the contracts to be worded in a way that gave the client the upper-hand in most situations. And what is one to make of the remark that the executive management "may have misled" the board of directors, and its shareholder, by focusing excessively on the revenue generated by the two contracts while providing unrealistic "expectations of profit contribution" when it was very unlikely that there would have ever been profit at the negotiated price?
In the case of both the Fairmount contracts and in that of the BWSC, many questions remain unanswered. Good governance, propriety and accountability demand that the tale in both cases does not end before the whole truth is found.

1st of May Celebration Party

Next Friday (7th May), Forum Zghazagh Laburisti are going to organize the 1st of May Celebration Party. An 80's and 90's night with Dj Alex Grech (Reflex) at the Tattingers Club (Rabat). Tickets may be bought for 4 Euros from One Complex Marsa, Centru Nazzjonali Laburista Hamrun or from members of FZL Branches.
Join us in this one of a kind event for an unforgettable night. Tickets are selling fast so hurry up!

Bondi's Popularity meter

Today I tried to watch Bondi Gonzi's Monday night talk show but I succeeded to watch only a few minutes of this comedy. In the midst of one of the darkest hours of Maltese political history, Bondi tried to put a smile on our faces with his guest Norman Lowell.
An hour of nonsense dominated Bondi's program with statements varying from reducing the Maltese population to half, extraditing adopting families of African children, the role of women in the elite society and how to get rid of disabled children.
Bondi should be ashamed of himself on dedicating a whole program to Norman Lowell when in a couple of days our islands may be facing an environmental disaster! Next Thursday our parliament would be voting on the power station extension, at the same time we have a Prime Minister forcing his MPS to vote against LP's motion to stop this irresponsible project! In a couple of days all Maltese citizens may become Guinea pigs of a new technology and Bondi fills up his hot seat with Norman Lowell!
This is the way that the Nationalist Party works, trying to divert people's attention by using mediums such as Bondi and Peppi to do shitty programs like we saw today aired on National TV.

Gonzi's Values

Labour Leader Joseph Muscat today at Fgura during the 1st of May Celebrations highlighted Prime Minister Gonzi's values.
Values that could be seen clearly with the way he is dealing with electricity bills, values which he shows when he deals with granting tenders and values that could also be seen clearly by the way that he is trying to manage our country.
Maltese families know from first hand experience that Gonzi feels indifferent for those thousands of families who can't cope with the ever increasing utility bills, families having economic problems who are struggling to pay their bills and the 6% interest rate that is being imposed on them for not paying on time.
Gonzi feels indifferent for granting a contract to a company which was declared by our judicial institutions as being corrupt. Gonzi feels indifferent that Joseph Mizzi,the BWSC/Enemalta/Government representative who took 4 million euros as commission and after being questioned by the Auditor General's office he forgot important details about the same tender.
But most of all Gonzi feels indifferent that you and your children may suffer serious health problems if the BWSC power station extension won't work properly, as it is being used for the first time on our islands.
Gonzi show some respect to the Maltese electorate, give your mp's a free vote next Thursday!