Market value of Muscat family car is Eur15,000 – but he’s leasing it to the government for his own use for Eur35,000
Published:
May 4, 2014 at 11:51am
It takes a certain kind of person – no need to go into detail – to manipulate every situation into a scam or deal designed for his financial benefit, even in entirely inappropriate situations.
And quite frankly, if the prime minister is sufficiently brazen and greedy to lease his family car to the Office of the Prime Minister for his own use, for more than twice what it is worth (and that’s leasing, not selling), then the question to be asked is: what further deals might be struck behind the scenes, of which we know nothing?
This advertisement is in the classified ads section in The Sunday Times today.
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Veru inkredibbli! Mur gieb kieku kien Gonzi ghamel hekk.
It’s a surreal case of “to have your cake and eat it”. This bozo has practically sold a second hand car, which he is still using, to the state while still owning in.
I agree with you completely on this issue. I would however like to know what was paid for the leasing of the previous car used by the previous PM.
[Daphne – Anna, as even you have understood, it is not about the money but about the fact that he is paying himself the money. A car must always be leased or bought for the prime minister; we just don’t expect him to lease his own and abuse of his position to make a profit on it while – it has to be added – driving a car that is eminently unsuitable for the head of government.]
Is Euro 35,000 for a five-year-term in office or per year?
[Daphne – Seven thousand a year for five years.]
I hope this includes maintenance or is it paid by the government too?
Not only would he be netting €35,000 but after five years the car remains his property to do with whatever he pleases.
Sell it to some moron collector: “Xtrajt il-karozza ta’ Jozef biex inzida ma’ ta’ Mintoff.”
He can auction it off as having belonged to a prime minister.
I wonder if that €7k is taxable and if he declared it in his income to the House this year?
Joseph Muscat must feel as invincible given the poor state of the press in Malta and the ever-increasing opinion poll gap over both the PN and Simon Busuttil.
Muscat’s car is actually worth much less than that because it’s a 1.8 Twin Spark (petrol). Viva l-fuel bills.
How does a car rental company sell a car that had “one very careful driver”. What about all the other hundreds of renters? Or am I being very naive here and don’t know that Avis is more than a rental company in Malta?
Your question makes a lot of sense, but, it may have been under a long lease agreement to one client.
Former prime ministers are entitled to a state-paid executive car, so once Muscat leaves office, he can keep on leasing his Alfa to the state for his own use.
So he will be making a lot more than Eur35,000 off this or any other subsequent personal car.
Yes, but in fairness, when working out the price of Joseph Muscat’s vehicle, account must be taken that the car includes an enviable array of accessories, including a copy of the thick book ‘Joseph’ on its back seat, a small mast with the national flag, and two police outriders equipped with brand new motorbikes, blue flashing lights and real speed-cop wailing sirens.
Both front seats also sport depressions mirroring the great man’s large bottom.
That spec puts Duminku Mintoff’s old Mercedes completely in the shade.
Does the fat mummy’s boy think that a car keeps its full purchase value after five years? Have any of these people ever run a business, been employed, experienced life a bit apart from moving their lungs?
[Daphne – He doesn’t, that’s the point. He is taking advantage of his position to pay himself knowingly more than his car is worth.]
Even Sergeant Bilko would have never come up with a scam like that.
Actually, his car is a petrol model, making it far less appealing in Malta, mainly because of registration, licence and consumption. So its market value is actually even lower than the car advertised.
Imma taf x’qed tinsa, Daphne. Li hu mhux se jdahhal Eur15,000 ghax ghandu 35% taxxa fuqhom.
As far as I am aware, to lease a car it must be registered under a car hire / leasing company and should have QZ (leasing) registration plates.
Oh and of course there is also the issue of tax and all.
I think this is probably Muscat’s worst trait: his ordinate love of money. And this is characterising his entire government.
I meant inordinate love of money, of course.
Prosit, Daphne. Ta’ kollox issib il-kaptu. Mara ta’ kuragg kbir u ta’ informazzjoni eccellenti. Keep it up.
Il-vera ma jisthux dawn in-nies. Ghandu l-wicc jidher quddiem il-poplu. L-aqwa li rahas il-petlor b’ zewg centezmi (seven mils).
The 159 depreciates much faster then it can go; a UK import with higher specs and a later model will cost less to buy.
It would be interesting to discover the details of this deal.
Is Muscat licensed to lease cars?
Is payment effected by the Prime Minister’s vote, and does he receive a cheque every month?
Is this income taxable, and has Muscat declared this income in his return for 2013? Or is the money paid to a company?
Did the prime minister award himself a direct order for the leasing of a car to the prime minister?
I would like to know who is paying for the service to the car and any parts that need to be replaced through wear and tear.
I am curious … Will Joseph be paying tax on the lease income and will he also be paying fringe benefits tax on the leased vehicle?
Sheer daylight robbery!
TAL-MISTHIJA!
No wonder more citizens are evading taxes of all kinds.
They have a right to do this with all this criminal corruption going on!
Hanzir
You’ve all forgotten that the Prime Minister and Mrs Muscat are among those who are getting the VAT back on their cars, including this very same Alfa. Their names were on the list of the Labour Party-organised case against the government.
Yes, and to finance it the cost of road licences have shot up.
The PN should talk more about this.