[WATCH] President blasts racist Istrina ‘lies’

President blasts racist ‘lies’ on l-Istrina charity telethon

The President of the Republic has denied claims published on Facebook that funds donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund through the l-Istrina charity telethon go for migrants at the expense of national charities.

Marie Louise Coleiro Preca vehemently denied the claims, in comments to MaltaToday.

“People making these allegations are liars. People speaking like that have one thought in their minds – to harm their Maltese brothers and sisters who are suffering from cancer and other severe chronic illnesses,” Coleiro Preca, the president of the MCCF, said.

Her comments came in the wake of Facebook posts by Labour candidate Robert Henry Bugeja, who last week failed to be elected in the bye-election for Karmenu Vella’s seat, calling on people not to donate money to Istrina because some of its funds would be used to “support illegal migration”.

“All of Malta knows that l-Istrina is the national fund that tries to address issues such as people suffering from severe illnesses,” Coleiro Preca said. “Migration assistance is implemented by the government with the support from EU funds. I’m no racist because I love humanity, but l-Istrina funds don’t go to migrants.”

When asked to comment on the burgeoning anti-Istrina sentiment on certain Facebook posts, Coleiro Preca said: “Hitler and Pinochet had a lot of followers too... "

She was speaking after the launch of the annual 'Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina' motor event. 
"I will keep repeating this until everyone understands: the Malta Community Chest Fund is the only national fund that offers financial support, such as chemotherapy and for people suffering from serious illnesses," Coleiro Preca said during the launch. "We are all susceptible to illnesses and the Malta Community Chest Fund encourages people to unite in solidarity for these people.

“L-Istrina is about the patients’ families as well. Saving a patient’s life breathes life back into their families. With enough funding, families can rest assured that the Malta Community Chest Fund is doing all it can to save their sick family members.”