President not interested in a second term - explains Community Chest Fund controversy

President George Abela said today that the case where the board of the Malta Community Chest Fund offered to help the sister of his daughter-in-law in her masters’ course on eating disorders was a one-off incident and he was confident that the people would continue to back the presidency in the remaining year of its term. He also declared that he had no intention of serving a second term, even if that was possible. Dr Abela insisted that the offer made by the board following his own proposal was not unprecedented. Among others, over the past years, the Community Chest Fund had also assisted two nurses follow a course in palliative care (a cost of €29,000). Another person was assisted in a specialist course on equipment used by patients. Indeed, such assistance fell within the statute of the Community Chest Fund. Speaking on TV Hemm, Dr Abela said that Darleen Zerafa was giving voluntary help to the Community Chest Fund as it set up a much-needed residential institutional to help people with eating disorders. The home, called Dar Kenn Ghall-Sahhtek, will open in the autumn, offering professional help to some 30 residents for up to six months. The project was launched last year...