Prime Minister Robert Abela and his government are only in politics “to become millionaires and protect their criminal friends”, opposition leader Bernard Grech said on Saturday.

Speaking on Net FM, Grech said Abela was wasting her time and effort not with the country and its people, but with protecting herself and trying to hide her past.

The PN leader said Abela had his back to the wall, so much so that he resorted to personal attacks.

“For Robert Abela, there are no borders, no family. He can attack me all he wants because I have nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of. But people fear that Abela will do the same to them. They feel persecuted by Abela and his Minister of Finance, they feel threatened by the authorities.

He said many people in business and financial services feel the burden of bureaucracy and suspicion from authorities.

“The moment Abela was exposed as having had a relationship with a criminal, when it became clear he was not the ‘Mr. Perfect’ he wanted us to think he was, he attacked the editor-in-chief of it-Torca and independent journalists. But we will not bow to any form of oppression. We will remain a shield for all the people,” Grech said.

He said he was certain that the drone sent to film his house earlier this week did not belong to the Planning Authority. “We know exactly what it was. Barely an hour later, the prime minister blurted out that he wanted reporters to investigate my house.

Speaking about the government’s vote against the PN’s Daphne inquiry proposals, Grech said: “Clearly they don’t have this country at heart. They are there to become millionaires, to protect their own interests.

Abela still refused to meet him for a debate, Grech continued, adding that the prime minister wanted to stay in a safe space where he could avoid questions.

“They are even stealing our national heritage now,” he said, referring to reports that Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo had a protected Victorian-era milestone in his private residence.

Abela worse than Muscat

“People thought Abela was better than his predecessor, Joseph Muscat, but now they realize he is actually worse.”

Abela is wasting his time and effort to avoid a split in his party, Grech said.

“This country needs a new leadership, not a prime minister controlled by criminals.”

Turning to the case of ‘it-Topo’ Darren Debono, who this week refused to testify against his accomplices despite being granted a plea deal, Grech said he was a ‘role model’ .

“He is a Prime Minister who only works for himself and his criminal friends. Debono has been pardoned not to discover others but to remain discreet. It is obvious that the Attorney General has not done well her duty. That’s why we asked for her resignation. She didn’t even give an explanation. Once again, the attorney general’s office has failed the country and it has failed the justice system.

Grech said a PN government would tackle anomalies, injustices and the theft of energy bills, saying the government can do that instead of wasting money on billboards and propaganda.

Scandals

Grech said all of the uncovered scandals worried him on many levels. “First, because they happen, which means there are corrupt politicians in government.”

“Unfortunately, we are becoming immune to such questions. The result is that people lose faith in politicians, and they put us all in the same basket. But we are not all the same. They entered politics to become rich. But we have politicians who truly believe that politics is a force for good, for the country and its people.

The PN leader said he was also worried because young people are alienated.

“They have abandoned Malta, and they are the ones who are supposed to lead the country for years to come.”

Grech accused the government of turning around and finally accepting PN’s proposals on free IVF drugs and extending the Covid wage supplement.

He urged party loyalists to attend the PN’s Sunday event in Mosta, where he will unveil new proposals on mental health and the environment.