[WATCH] Busuttil insists Muscat ‘is corrupt because he takes no action on corruption’

Simon Busuttil interviewed on Reporter • Highlights

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has reiterated past accusations that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat “is corrupt”, in claims he made on PBS’s Reporter.

Busuttil accused Muscat of being “an accomplice to corruption” by not doing enough to stop corruption, when asked by presenter Saviour Balzan whether he had any evidence of his allegations.

But when asked whether the same could be said for former Nationalist prime minister Lawrence Gonzi during his administration, Busuttil insisted there was no comparison with his predecessor.

“Joseph Muscat is not taking action on numerous cases of corruption. Where there is corruption, nepotism is being allowed to flourish,” Busuttil said.

Just a week since he presented a good governance package of 109 proposals, Busuttil announced he would take up Muscat’s invitation to join a conference on constitutional renewal, as long as the forum is presided by the President of the Republic.

The Opposition had refused to participate in the conference being presided by former Nationalist MP, now Law Commissioner Franceo Debono. “The Opposition is open to cooperate on a change in the constitution... [but] this transformation should be chaired by none other than the President.”

Busuttil also said Muscat should suspend parliamentary secretary Ian Borg after a MEPA permit the junior minister had recieved had been submitted to an inquiry by the Ombudsman and now the anti-corruption commission.

The PN leader refuted suggestions that he used an aggressive style in his political discourse on Muscat, saying that it was government MPs that tended to be aggressive. “Look at what Joe Debono Grech told Marlene Farrugia. We get that kind of abuse every day,” he said referring to the threat made by the veteran MP to the former Labour MP turned independent.

Busuttil defended his record of dealing with his own MPs when accused of impropriety, citing the examples of Giovanna Debono – who was asked to resign but became an independent MP after her husband was charged with misappropriation of public funds – and Joe Cassar, who resigned for having benefit from undeclared donations as a minister. “My good governance document will help draw a line on the PN’s past, but also on the government’s list of scandals,” Busuttil said.

Busuttil defended his proposal for higher-paid, full-time MPs, saying that such members would reqlinquish any government jobs they have, leaving no extra burden on the taxpayer. Busuttil eargerly mentioned Labour MP Silvio Schembri as a case in point, but Balzan also profferred the names of whip David Agus, Clyde Puli and Kirsty Debono, who had full-time government jobs but were not even regular attendees at work.

One of Busuttil’s proposals is for more cooperation between the Opposition and government to cooperate when appointing a person in high roles, such as the President and MEPA chairman. He said this was vital for impartiality and for the parliament to do its duty and scrutinize. 

“I want an Opposition that hits hard. But it is high time that we start proposing ideas. This is a radical document that calls for a change in mentality,” he said.