New legislation will protect those who uncover scandals, expose those involved - PM

Newly enacted legislation such as the Whistle Blower Act and the removal of the prescription period will help protect people who wanted to uncover scandals and expose those involved, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this morning. Speaking on One Radio, Dr Muscat referred to the Auditor General’s report on the oil procurement process between 2008 and 2011 and said he was amazed that the Opposition had not given any valid reasons to justify the amateur way the process had been led. Those responsible, he said, had not followed the most basic principles of good governance and tenders were not given to those making the cheapest offer. Moreover, the same names that had been mentioned in the oil scandal of the previous years were also being mentioned in this report. He noted that Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi had asked the Police Commissioner to investigate the process in this period. Dr Muscat also spoke on the report that had been commissioned by the Environment Ministry which led to the temporary closure of the Family Park in Marsascala. Someone should shoulder responsibility, he said. The Government closed the plant as soon as it received the report because it cared for the people’s...