Arnold Cassola issues public letter on Transport Malta ‘abuses’

Feb 23 2022

Independent candidate Arnold Cassola has presented a four-page letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela on the ‘filthy’ scandals which he claims are taking place at Transport Malta.

Cassola’s letter includes cases of favouritism, downright ‘filth’ and even sexual harassment. Speaking on Wednesday, Cassola said that employee are scared to speak up. He said that he will be their voice and if elected to Parliament, he will speak for them.

In just four years the number of employees at Transport Malta has skyrocketed from 400 to over 1000, he said. A number of these new employees are from Transport Minister Ian Borg’s district.

The authority has become ‘an Ian Borg fiefdom, with a great deal of cronyism concerning his constituents or core Labour sympathisers’ said Cassola. ‘This is demoralising many qualified people in Transport Malta because it is difficult for them to get promoted.’

Cassola claims to have received numerous messages and reports on how arrogance became the norm at the agency. He went on to say that despite this, individuals are rewarded with promotions because they belong to either Labour or Ian Borg’s camp.

Cassola claimed he has also received reports of a case of sexual harassment case being covered up simply because the perpetrator involved is a hardcore voter for Labour. In his letter, Cassola says that he is ready to provide the names if Transport Malta is ready to have the agency cleaned up from the state of shame in which Ian Borg has reduced it to.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Ian Borg FB, Arnold Cassola FB

Mużika Mużika changes date to avoid clash with election

Feb 23 2022

Following much discussion and speculation on whether or not Maltese language song festival Mużika Mużika would change its date after an election was announced for March 26th, Festivals Malta have just confirmed that it has been brought forward by a week.

The much awaited festival will now take place between Thursday 17th and Saturday 19th instead of election weekend. Some had commented on the lack of regard towards local festivals and that they should have changed the election date rather than the Mużika Mużika date, however that is clearly not the case.

This year’s edition is set to feature a myriad of local talent covering artists from all across Malta’s musical spectrum

#MaltaDaily

Former PM Joseph Muscat endorsing Labour Party candidates

Feb 23 2022

Former prime minister Joseph Muscat has been endorsing Labour Party candidates whilst also making appearances at fringe political events.

The former leader has been absent from any headline PL activities so far during the race, but it has been revealed that he will be a special guest at a political event in Marsa on Saturday afternoon.

Newsroom Times of Malta was informed that he has made two endorsement appearances for Chris Agius and Deo Debattista. Saturday’s event will see Muscat endorse Pieta mayor Keith Azzopardi Tanti on the first district.

With this Marsa gathering not being televised, it will also not be attended by Muscat’s successor Robert Abela who will not be on the island as he is scheduled to address an activity in Gozo.

It has also been understood that Muscat has been approached by a number of candidates to make guest appearances and endorsements over the campaign. Abela refused to answer any questions about whether his predecessor would be invited to speak at rallies.

After resigning in 2020 due to the connections between his office and the 2017 Daphne Caruana Galizia assassination as well as keeping a low profile, he started to speak up more last month when his family home was searched by police.

#MaltaDaily

Yorgen Fenech tested positive for cocaine after one month in prison

Feb 23 2022

Yorgen Fenech had reportedly consumed so much cocaine that he continued to test positive for the drug a month after his arraignment over the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

His lawyers told a court about this, continuing to state that the businessman’s drug addiction emerged on Wednesday as Fenech’s defence team make oral submissions on a lengthy list of pre-trial pleas.

Fenech was arrested on board his yacht in November of 2019 and is awaiting trial for complicity in the journalist’s murder.

Police who interrogated Fenech for hours on an end over a 10 day stretch leading up to the November 30 arraignment knew of the businessman’s drug problem. Inspector Kurt Zahra allegedly told Fenech he had a drug problem and officers were aware he had regularly travelled abroad for rehabilitation.

Shortly after arrest, Fenech was unwell, very agitated and his doctor recommended hospitalisation after administering a tranquilliser his lawyer said. His severe chest pains were attributed to cocaine withdrawal effects, necessitating an angiogram and surgery.

#MaltaDaily