Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1332685
9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 JANUARY 2021 INTERVIEW had previously criticised the Central Link project. Yet they are now suggesting it as a solu- tion to the Mriehel problem, too. So suddenly, the Central Link has become a 'good thing'. But let's not be ridiculous. It makes much more sense to cre- ate an intervention that, while respecting the sustainability of the environment, improves accessibility to the area. The country needs to move for- ward… On the subject of the environ- ment, another criticism is that these projects also encour- age and promote more vehi- cle-use… A quick comment: nobody has ever told me that they 'bought a car because I imple- mented the Central Link pro- ject'. Let's put things into their proper perspective. People buy cars because there isn't an alter- native. When people do have an alternative, they will consider it. It's the same with politics. To- day, there is no alternative to the present government. What is the Opposition proposing for these issues? But let's stick to the subject at hand: we will leave the people to be the judges on our pro- jects. Last Sunday, the news- paper Illum published a survey which revealed that 'concern with traffic' is at the lowest lev- el since 2017. Does this mean we've solved the problem? No, because the problem now be- comes whether we use the time that we have gained through these projects, to implement longer-term solutions, and to introduce a long-term culture change… Couldn't the survey results al- so be because of the COVID-19 pandemic: which has reduced economic activity, tourism, and therefore also reduced traffic? If you want to latch onto any excuse, to argue that the gov- ernment's projects – and, spe- cifically, the projects of Ian Borg – are not improving the situation… you can be part of that faction. I, however, listen to the people. And the people are happy that these projects are improving their quality of life. Moving to other subjects now: some of your decisions have been criticised for diminish- ing people's quality of life… including access to open spac- es. The agreement you sealed with the hunters over Mizieb and L-Ahrax , for instance. Isn't that a case of denying people access to the country- side, to favour a specific lob- by? I sealed that agreement, be- cause I am a 'doer'. In the 1980s, we had a Prime Minister who – and I think he did the right thing – left those areas in the hands of the hunters: to plant trees, water trees, grow trees… and also to indulge in their pastime in those areas. But the agreement didn't spec- ify any rights, obligations, or even terms. The agreement I signed with the hunters, on the other hand, gave them a list of obligations: including that they have to al- low public access… This attracted a lot of criticism, however… So what? The fact that I was criticised doesn't mean that I was wrong; all it means is that some people disagree with me, on that particular issue. And just because you get crit- icised, it doesn't mean you have to stop. So much so, that even Bernard Grech has now realised that we were right: he has now removed David Thake from his shadow cabinet [because of his anti-hunting views]; and just yesterday, he went running to meet the FKNK. As far as I know, however, Grech did not tell the hunt- ers that he would rescind Ian Borg's contract, if he becomes prime minister. And I had warned the NGOs about this: that they should ask themselves whether all the po- litical parties would have done the same as me. The answer is 'yes': because I believe that we did the right thing. On the subject of 'doing the right thing': recently the Standards Commissioner was called upon… … by someone who clearly has nothing better to with this time… … to investigate a case when you allegedly 'took the Lord's name in vain' on live TV… … That is what some people said. And if some people believe I really said that: I apologise: but I will continue to insist that it wasn't that way at all… Doesn't this insistence of yours come across as arrogant? Not in the least. Let me put it this way: I am in politics to do a job. So I expect to be judged on how I do my work. And those who know me personally, know what I'm really like. I don't have to make excuses for other peo- ple's misconceptions… Let me close with a few quick questions about your politi- cal past. You have worked as a minister under both Muscat and Abela: what are their de- fining characteristics? And what would you say distin- guishes them from each other, as Maltese prime ministers? They are both great political personalities, who have done, and are doing (respectively) a lot of important work for the country. And this is something the people can attest to, thanks to the improvements in their quality of life under both prime ministers. Without a doubt, Joseph Mus- cat built up a movement – based on civil rights, and a strength- ened economy whose effects have also helped us withstand the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic… These are all 'pluses', though. What about the 'minuses'? Who doesn't have minuses? Everybody has minuses… that includes you, me, and everyone else watching this interview. But why should we only speak about minuses? I prefer to look at the plus side of things. As for Robert Abela: what challenge hasn't he faced, this past year? First he had to face the political climate of this country – which is one of Jo- seph Muscat's minuses, by the way: Abela inherited a situation of political instability. But then, just as Robert Abe- la addressed the concerns of all the people who were protesting about governance issues… the pandemic broke out. A crisis, of the like we had not seen in 100 years. And he had to take deci- sions about it every day… When Joseph Muscat resigned in January 2020, you were named as a potential replace- ment leader. Do you regret not contesting the leadership elec- tions? I don't regret it, because I placed the interests of party and country ahead of any personal ambitions of my own: which, in any case, I didn't really have. And now, a year later, we have a Prime minister who is building on all the positive achievements of the past… Don't you feel that you 'missed the bus'? I didn't 'miss the bus', because I decided [not to take it]. You 'miss the bus' when it arrives at the bus-stop, but you're not there. I, on the other hand, was at the bus-stop when it ar- rived. I just decided not to get on, that's all. Because I felt that there were others who could fulfil that role better than my- self… Ian Borg was interviewed by Reno Bugeja on Reno Bugeja Jistaqsi, streamed on Facebook @maltatoday Friday at 6:30pm