Retraction of citizenship scheme secrecy not enough for PN

Report by Daniel Mizzi

Likening Malta's reputation to a melting ice cube, PN Secretary General Chris Said stressed that the government, through the controversial Individual Investor Programme (IIP) destroyed Malta's reputation.

"Louis Grech's retraction of the secrecy clause is too late, as Malta has already been turned into the laughing stock of the world. It is an insult for the government to destroy Malta's reputation in line with its 50 year independence anniversary," Chris Said argued this evening during the PN Council meeting.

Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech revealed with that the government is to remove a confidentiality clause from the Individual Investment Programme that would have meant that new citizens, who buy their passports by paying €650,000 into the scheme, would remain secret.

Said added that the international media made "a mockery" out of Malta's hard-earned reputation

Addressing the PN Council meeting, Said said that through the controversial IIP scheme which "facilitates the sale of the Maltese citizenship, the "bullish" government is taking advantage of its parliamentary majority and steamrolling over the Opposition and the population."

Themed 'Work, Seriousness and Identity', Said noted the general council could not have come at a more important time as it coincides with the IIP scheme that came into force last Tuesday and the government's budget announcement.

 "Under PN administrations, Malta elicited worldwide support by weathering the financial turmoil and its stance during the Libya crisis. Eight months into this legislature, the Prime Minister has managed to destroy the reputation and consequently, Malta will no longer be synonymous with seriousness and financial soundness, but instead it will be associated with a country likened to a prostitute selling its citizenship," Said explained.

Labelling the scheme as obscene, Chris Said reiterated that the "priceless citizenship is not for sale" and insisted that the Opposition will continue striving to repeal the scheme.

"Despite the government not accepting the amendments tabled by the Opposition, the PN vows to continue fighting against the sale of Malta's golden passport. The PN will not allow the government to take advantage of its parliamentary majority and continue to steamroll over the country and its values."

Moreover Chris Said explained that the government, due its failure to disclose the IIP scheme back in March, has no mandate to implement the programme.

Chris Said remarked that while Alfred Sant and the then-Labour-Opposition were against Malta's accession to the EU, the current Labour government is taking advantage of Malta's EU membership to facilitate the sale of Malta's identity.

Meanwhile, discussing the pillar of work, Chris Said explained that from its first day of the legislature, the government showed no credible plan to increase employment opportunities.

"The 2013 budget, the pre-budget document and most recently, the 2014 budget, are proving that the government is not committed to creating work but is solely committed to fill the pockets of the party's affiliates and those involved in the inner circle."

Quoting PN leader Simon Busuttil, Chris Said that the further analysis of the budget proves that the devil is in the detail and it has consequently, resulted there are no job creation schemes, and no credible and concrete opportunities to improve the work opportunities. 

"The PN's stand has been echoed by the European Commission, who upon further scrutiny of the government, has described the budget as being uncertain and littered with unrivalled risks and uncalculated measures, which risks would ultimately land Malta in excessive deficit procedures."

As explained by Simon Busuttil yesterday, the Nationalist Party is stating that an increase in the budget deficit is set to cater for the government's increase in expenses the government is set to impose and it also lambasted the government's €27 million increase in taxes.

Meanwhile, talking on the notion of seriousness, Chris Said stressed that this is the main distinguishing factor between the PL government and the Nationalist Party.

 "The PL based its election manifest on accountability, transparency and meritocracy yet its actions are of opposing nature, as proven by its abuse of power, dubious asset declarations and the breach of the ethical code by Parliamentary Secretaries."

 "The Nationalist Party is a political force, as opposed to the Labour government it will discuss measures prior with implementing them and will employ people solely on their capabilities rather than their political opinion. A PN government will certainly not employ a minister's wife and award her with an €11,000 monthly wage."

The notion will seek to implement job creation schemes in different sectors and enhance the work in present sectors.

Meanwhile, in a scathing attack on Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit, Council member Edward Torpiano bemoaned the arrest of Norman Vella, dubbing it as an atrocity and as an embarrassment.  Reminiscing to 1987, Torpiano said that the PN won the election against all odds and beat the Dom Mintoff government and the government-appointed electoral commission.

"Just like the PN weathered the then Labour majority and the lack of transparency in the civil services, the Nationalist Party is presently met with a similar challenge."

Torpiano also called for the PN council to discuss its measures with former parliamentary members and councillors in order to garner feedback and holistically scrutinise the present situation in government.

While quoting the party anthem, Marsaxlokk local councillor Angelo Micallef said that the government is now adopting a teleshopping attitude and the government, through its primary salesman Joseph Mucat is undermining the Maltese citizenship. 

On her part, Therese Commodini Cachia argued that in light of the Constitutional case against the electoral commission where Nationalist MP Claudette Buttigieg is calling for the redress of some '50 incorrectly attributed votes', a labour government is not respecting the rights of its people.

The party's stand against the citizenship scheme was echoed profoundly by council members who bemoaned Prime Minister's "salesman attitude."