PN condemn government's ‘silence’ over cargo vessel's disappearance

Nationalist Party spokesmen Jason Azzopardi and Toni Bezzina lambast government's 'silence' over the disappearance of a vessel subject to two arrest warrants, a week after the PN called for a public inquiry.

Opposition spokesmen Jason Azzopardi and Toni Bezzina have today lambasted the government for remaining “silent” over the disappearance of a vessel subject to two arrest warrants.

The Madra, a 100-metre cargo ship, was subject to the warrant over €220,000 in outstanding debts. But despite being slapped with the warrants, on August 26, the captain switched off the vessel’s tracking system, and fled off before the AFM could intercept it.

The AFM is said to have dispatched a vessel, but its efforts were all in vain after the vessel managed to cross Maltese waters.

The Nationalist Party subsequently called for a public inquiry, insisting that any conclusions of the inquiry should be made public. But almost a week after calling for a public inquiry, the PN has accused the government of “remaining silent.”

“Despite calling for a public inquiry a week ago, Joseph Muscat’s government has remained silent over Madra’s disappearance,” the PN said.

In a joint statement by home affairs spokesman Jason Azzopardi and Transport spokesman Toni Bezzina, the Nationalist Party argued that such cases expose Malta and its judiciary system to ridicule.

 “Joseph Muscat should immediately order an inquiry into the case. It is unacceptable for a vessel to escape like it is nothing.”

Such cases tarnish Malta’s reputation when it comes to competitiveness. They also affect investors’ interest in Malta,” they said.

They insisted that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat should immediately order an inquiry into the case, stating that it was unacceptable to act as though nothing had happened while vessels evade Maltese arrest warrant

Moreover, the PN said that this is the second case in a matter of months, as on April 30, the MT Atlantik evaded an arrest warrant issued over alleged debts amounting to €900,000.