Updated | ‘We do not want to send hundreds of families to prison’ – PM on energy theft

Adds PN's reaction

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has defended the government's handling of the energy theft scandal, stressing that by gathering information, 'the big fish' will be caught.

Joseph Muscat was speaking a political activity in Naxxar entitled 'Malta - Maltija, Ewropea, Globali'.

Referring to the energy theft scandal, Muscat reiterated that the way that government was handling the issue - whereby persons who had their smart meters tampered with would be allowed to pay the difference which they saved, pay interest, pay a penalty and offer information - was a just one.

"This is not a simple case of amnesty, as the Opposition is claiming," he said.

He said that the PN seemed to have forgotten that in 2006 people who had their meters tampered with were simply asked to pay Lm 100.

Muscat said that this was a carefully organised racket and he was certain that it involved many more people than were currently being investigated.

Muscat said that by acquiring information the government would be in a position to go after the 'big fish' behind the scandal.

"We will be taking all measures to make sure that these rackets are not allowed to continue," he said, but added that it was not his wish to send 'hundreds of families to prison'.

Whilst stressing that the creation of jobs was one of government's top priorities, Muscat lashed out at the way in which the Malta Enterprise operated in the past and how it utilized funds acquired by the European Union.

He said that, without achieving any great results in the past, the Enterprise seemed to have no problem in spending €4 million on its new offices on the premises of St Luke's Hospital.

"Since this government has been in power, the Malta Enterprise has approved a record number of projects which will generate more than 2,600 new jobs over the next three years," he said, saying that this was more than the previous government had achieved in the seven previous years.

"This clearly shows that this government is a pro-business one," he said.

In an attack against the Opposition, the Prime Minister said that people - even hardcore nationalists - were starting to realise that their party had not only lost its way as a government, but was doing the same in Opposition.

"The Opposition continues to be remonstrative, destructive and negative," he said, and added that Simon Busttil's lack of experience in local politics was beginning to show.

"Even the nationalists are questioning what has become of their party," he said.

"This is an Opposition with a lack of facts, and a worrying lack of propositions."

Muscat reiterated that this government was one that listened to its people, understood their issues and delivered on their promises.

"The previous government only made promises prior to elections. This one (this government) might not promise a lot but we make sure to carry out what we do promise," he said.

On the free childcare programme, Muscat announced that nearly all the childcare centre in Malta and Gozo had applied for the scheme.

He said that this initiative will reduce the burden on working mothers, as well as for those mothers who wished to continue their studies.

"It must be kept in mind that these will not be places for parents to simply 'park' their children, but rather will serve as the first step of formal education for them," he said.

Citing a statistic which revealed that no less than 46,000 Maltese travelled to Gozo during the weekend of Valentine's - a weekend in which ferry fares were halved - Muscat said that government was showing its commitment to further investment in the sister island.

"Last weekend, restaurants and hotels were full-up at a time when they would usually be empty," he said.

Muscat also revealed that government was currently in the process of carrying out feasibility studies on projects such as the bridge, tunnel and aerial transport which would make accessibility between Malta and Gozo much easier.

Speaking at the same event was Labour MEP candidate Miriam Dalli, who said that the Opposition's hunger to regain power was overriding its 'masked' will to do the best for the country.

"The Opposition is critisising all the good initiatives which this government is introducing because their only hope is to regain power," she said.

Citing the transition of heavy fuel oil to gas as a "much cleaner" source of energy, Dalli said that the PN never believed that a Labour government would carry out its promises simply because they did not fulfill theirs.

"The PN labeled our proposition to switch to a gas-run power station as 'Alice in Wonderland' but they are now worried now as they are realizing that it is an actual reality," she said.

Dalli also reserved criticism towards the former minister in charge of Enemalta, who she claimed was "nowhere to be found" amidst the scandal on energy theft.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Silvio Schembri said that whatever claims Simon Busuttil made, the fact was that Maltese families will be receiving lower tariff bills as of next month.

In a reaction, the Nationalist Party accused Prime Minister Joseph Muscat of trying to justify his decision to interfere in the police's investigation and subsequent leniency plea by saying that he wants to catch the "big fish."

"Who are these 1,000 persons who the government is trying to protect," the PN said while insisting that it the disclosure of the people is fundamental for the transparency of the country.

It also called on the government to publish the names of the alleged consumers and business implicated in the energy theft as a scandal.

Moreover, the Nationalist Party accused the government's plan of the Delimara gas storage plan is steamrolling over everyone.

"Even though 91% of residents are against the decision and are calling on the government to anchor the tanker outside the bay, the prime minister is nevertheless insisting on his plan. Is this the government that pledged that it would listen to the people?" it continued.