[WATCH] Anglu Farrugia provides fodder for Gonzi attack on Labour

A feisty PN leader Lawrence Gonzi revived the party's faltering campaign with a blazing attack on Labour leader Joseph Muscat and his "fourth floor boys" who carried out a "political assassination" on former PL deputy leader Anglu Farrugia.

"I salute Anglu Farrugia for having the courage to speak out. I have never agreed on policy with Farrugia but I have nothing but admiration for politicians who have the courage to stand up to injustice," Gonzi told the sizeable crowd of PN supporters in Mosta.

Gonzi pointed out that he saluted Farrugia for exposing Muscat's "real face" and said that the Opposition's leader only intention was to serve his own interests and that of the "fourth floor boys," in reference to the tight-knit and furtive kitchen cabinet heading Labour's electoral campaign.

In an interview to The Times, former Labour deputy leader Anglu Farrugia denounced his party's intimacy with building developers and other businessmen, marking them out as the people who "wield power in the country".

"Contractors are too close to Labour like some are close to the PN," Farrugia said in his candid interview. "I know they are close with certain people involved in the Labour Party's finances."

Farrugia describes his forced resignation in December 2012 - ostensibly over remarks he passed on a magistrate during a party speech - had been tantamount to being stabbed in the back. "This is like calling your best friend over and then shooting him in cold blood," Farrugia said.

Gonzi warned: "This is what Muscat did to his friend in Opposition. Imagine what he will do to you, to us, if we dare to elect him to power."

Addressing the mass meeting in Independence Avanue in Mosta, Gonzi said: "Unfortunately for Anglu it is now too late, but not for us. We are still in time. Let us make sure that we do not suffer the same fate reserved for Anglu Farrugia."

On Labour's links to the powerful construction industry, in a moment of temporary amnesia in regards to the PN's own ties with construction magnates, Gonzi posed a series of questions which he was expecting Muscat to answer.

"What is the link between Farrugia's revelations and Labour's proposed MEPA reform which will sideline the environmentalist lobby? What is the link to Labour's plan to construct a new power plant and two gas tanks as big as the Mosta Dome? Who are the construction magnates who came forward with these plans? Are they the same construction magnates who visited Dubai with Muscat?"

On the PN's fight against corruption, a bellicose Gonzi said that he would not tolerate or protect anyone involved in corruption, whether the person is a judge, a politician or a clerk within the public service.

Shouldering full responsibility for the PN's anti-corruption drive, Gonzi said: ""I tell you honest people, that you will find me by your side fighting against corruption. I strongly reiterate that who ever is corrupt will find no refuge in the PN. There is no jockeying around with me on corruption. Under my watch, if you play with fire you will get burnt."

Hammering home the message that the PN was the only party that was actively fighting corruption, "Gonzi reminded the crowd that he had promised protection to whoever had any information on the alleged corruption at Enemalta but made it a point that he would not protect the racket involved in oil procurement.

Businessman George Farrugia has reportedly filed a request for a presidential pardon to turn State's evidence on the fuel procurement scandal that has engulfed state utility Enemalta.

Despite the latest MaltaToday poll showing that the PN was trailing Labour by 12 percentage points, Gonzi told the party faithful: "Do not give up. We are going for it. We are determined to ensure that the country has the government it deserves, the best government to ensure that our children, our students, our workers and our pensioners have a better future."

 Gonzi also highlighted a number of proposals in the PN electoral programme and stressed that the 9 March election is all about "jobs, jobs, jobs." He added that job creation was the PN's main priority, warning that if not enough new jobs were created "everything else will collapse."

"If returned to government, a PN administration is committed to bringing about a leap in quality for all," Gonzi said.

Earlier, PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil made a pitch for disgruntled Nationalists and middle of the road voters, acknowledging that persons were hurt, noting that the PN had its own shortcomings and certain sectors of society were unhappy with a number of issues such as development permits, hospital waiting lists and unemployment.

"We are determined to work night and day to regain the detached people's trust. The vote is not a weapon to punish a party but a tool to foster the country's future. If you vote Labour do not be surprised if you are left out in the cold. If they were capable of doing that to their deputy leader let alone what they will do with others. If you vote PN we will open all the doors of opportunity for the future."

Busuttil added that the reason why Malta did not suffer the same fate of other countries was the Nationalist Party's shrewd management of the economy.

"We recognise that we have made mistakes, but we are committed to make things right and make sure that our shortcomings are readdressed."