Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541426
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt 'Don't underestimate Borg like the PN did to me,' Joseph Muscat tells Labour FORMER Prime Minister Jo- seph Muscat has warned the La- bour Party it should not under- estimate new Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg. "My advice to the Labour Par- ty on Alex Borg is that they not underestimate him as the Na- tionalist Party underestimated me. One of the biggest mistakes the PN did was not only under- estimate me, but also Alfred Sant," he said. "The Labour Par- ty should not fall into that trap." Muscat was interviewed by La- bour MP Amanda Spiteri Grech on ONE TV programme XRAY. The former Labour leader, who resigned in 2019 following widespread national protests following the escape attempt and subsequent arrest of alleged Daphne Caruana Galizia mur- der mastermind Yorgen Fenech. Asked on the freshly-elect- ed Borg, Muscat said he was "disappointed" with some of his statements, especially the four-day work week and generic medicines, saying the way they were made showed the propos- als were not studied. Suggesting he should not be "shooting from the hip" when making statements, the for- mer Labour leader did concede Borg's job was not easy. "Let's be fair. To go into the leadership of a political party at a young age is not easy. You need time to adjust especially when you are thrust in the deep end like Borg was," he said. On comparisons being made between the two, he said he would not comment, stating it is up to the people to decide that. Questioned on former Nation- alist leaders, Muscat said that despite their political rivalry, he could sit down and work things out with former PM Lawrence Gonzi. On his arch political rival Si- mon Busutill, Muscat said their relationship soured when they both returned to Malta from Brussels, pointing out that Busutill and Nationalist MEP David Casa were among the first to visit him and his family at hospital when his wife gave birth to their children. On Delia, he said it was clear he had the willingness to carry out changes, but was not al- lowed to do so by individuals within the party. "If he was allowed to work, he would have been very effective," he said. Hospitals concession price was 'fair' Reacting to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal ruling on the Steward Healthcare hospi- tals concession, he welcomed the decision. "Not only did we not steal money frm the hospitals, but they still owe us €5 million. Now I find myself in court be- cause, according to some peo- ple, money was stolen and part of this money was given to me," he said. Muscat is charged with money laundering, fraud, conspiracy, accepting bribes and corruption in public office. He once again defended the deal, saying the contract was transparent and audited. The former PM also slammed claims that government handed over money to Steward and Vi- tals for the refurbishment of the hospitals building. "The moment they bring their own money to build the hos- pitals - and this didn't happen for various reasons, partly their fault, and partly I think because of the confusion that was going on to prevent this from hap- pening, that is when the work should have started," he said. He went on to say that if the services provided during the concession were provided at Mater Dei Hospital, they would have cost €63 million more. Opposition leader Alex Borg (left) and former Prime Minister and Labour leader Joseph Muscat (right) CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 Secondary victimisation is the harm a victim experiences not from the original crime, but from the negative and unresponsive reactions of institutions such as the criminal justice system. Defence lawyer Franco Debono declared that the defence will re- serve the right to request the in- admissability of the magistrate's observations pertaining to sec- ondary victimisation at a later stage. Debono held that he did not want the statements to influ- ence the final result of the pro- ceedings or prejudice his client. The defence contended that if the court later uses those pri- or observations against the ac- cused, it could violate his right to a fair trial. Police inspector Rachel Aquili- na prosecuted. Lawyers Jeannine Giglio and Joe Giglio appeared parte civile for the victim. Lawyers Charles Mercieca and Franco Debono appeared for the accused. Defence could seek inadmissibility of magistrate's observations Peter Cauchi interviewed by MaltaToday in 2023