‘Bribery’ criticism borne of suspicion, not fact - Busuttil

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has toned down a direct accusation of bribery he made to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in a televised debate on TVM’s Timestalk.

His comment was met with an emotive response from Muscat.

During a visit to the new parliament building, Busuttil said his accusation was based on suspicions, not fact.

“The way this government goes about its dealings raises suspicions about corruption and bribery. The government visited Azerbaijan without media or officials... and as such in these situations, suspicions of corruption are rife,” Busuttil said of Muscat’s unannounced meeting with Azeri president Ilham Aliyev in Baku. "I don't know if he is corrupt or not, but the way he acts raises suspicions."

He referred to the NAO report on Enemalta’s hedging policy, which revealed that energy minister Konrad Mizzi directed the advisory and finance committee to include SOCAR, the Azeri state oil company which will provide LNG to Enemalta in an 18-year contract, in its suppliers’ list.

Busuttil said the secrecy of an MOU signed between Malta and Azerbaijan raised suspicions, and that government’s secrecy in the €4.2 million bailout of Café Premier’s leaseholders, also generated similar suspicions. “Only those having something to hide would keep such dealings hidden,” Busuttil insisted.

Busuttil toured the new parliament building, which will see the House of Representatives move to its new seat on 4 May.

MPs will register their attendance electronically. Interpretation services will also be available for plenaries and committee meetings in the new building.

Busuttil said that he was proud of the building as it was the first time in national history that parliament would have its own building. The Maltese parliament has met in the Presidential Palace since 1850.

“I am also proud of the beauty of this Renzo Piano project. It is a monument for the Maltese culture, which I hope will be appreciated by the people for years to come,” Busuttil said.

Busuttil also referred to the placements for stalls being installed for Valletta’s monti hawkers, reiterating his disagreement with their relocation to Ordnance Street. “It’s an insult to the project and the culture of this nation.”