Grech slams government appointments as an attempt to buy people’s silence

National Party leader Bernard Grech said on Sunday that Prime Minister Robert Abela was focused on buying people’s silence with taxpayers’ money rather than solving the country’s problems.

Grech responds to Labour chief executive’s resignation Randolph De Batista and his appointment as Malta Ambassador to Geneva.

“Instead of focusing on the needs of the country, our prime minister is keen to play a game of musical chairs to keep everyone happy and quiet,” Grech said.

The Nationalist leader made the remarks in a telephone interview with NET FM.

Grech said DeBattista had no experience in the diplomatic field and that Abela used taxpayers’ money to silence him.

“Imagine having a family member in the diplomatic service, imagine the years you spent studying and working, and Randolph became an ambassador,” he said.

“Abela doesn’t care about the country and the people and the country are feeling the effects, the quality of life is deteriorating. Abela has failed the people and the government is led by a weak and divisive prime minister,” he said.

Byron Camilleri remains silent over ID scandal

In the same interview, Grech again called for Resign Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri has protested against an ID card “scam” revealed by former Nationals MP Jason Azzopardi.

“I am concerned not only because these are serious allegations but also because our minister is absent and silent about this,” Grech said.

Last week, Azzopardi filed a lengthy court application seeking an inquest into a suspected A massive identity fraud case.

He claimed that around 18,000 Malta identity cards were issued using forged documents by Identita officials.

“A week has passed and the minister has not turned up. He has not said how the issue will be resolved, nor has he assured people that there is nothing forged on their ID cards.”

He said Camilleri’s silence could also mean he was hiding something from the public.

“We cannot trust Camilleri to lead such a sensitive and important department,” he said.

He said Labor had failed the nation not only on home affairs but also on infrastructure and health services, basic infrastructure services including drainage and electricity.

“Labor has become a liability to the country,” Grech said.