2017 – A new beginning?
During 2016, the Maltese continued witnessing the biggest deceit in Maltese political history. Those who believed and trusted Labour in the 2013 general election are seeing their trust being abused and betrayed by Labour who is shamelessly ignoring pre-election promises. The “new direction” promised by Joseph Muscat is on the wrong track. The roadmap, which the people were given to understand that Labour had, is proving to be non-existent.
Looking back
The year 2016 has far from realised the expectations that were raised by Labour in a vote-catching exercise. The Maltese have been left yawning for promises made by Labour during the electoral campaign notwithstanding the fact that Joseph Muscat boasts that he keeps his word and is keeping the promises made.
The Maltese were promised that Malta will not belong to someone or other, or to a clique, or to a political party. Promises were made that Malta will belong to all of us (“Malta Taghna Lkoll”), that the time of distinction between blue and red will be over, that there will not a be a law for the gods and another for the animals.
Labour promised that although one does not agree with them, one could still work with them. We were promised an open government – a government that listens and be near to citizens. We were promised transparency and political responsibility coupled with good governance. Above all, the voters were promised a fight against corruption. But between Labour’s promises and what is happening now there is a big difference.
The cancer of corruption
Twenty-Sixteen will be remembered for many government deficiencies, especially in the way scandals and alleged corruption are being treated. Topping the list is the Panama Papers scandal. Some Labour exponents claim that whoever refers to cancer will be insensitive to those suffering from this disease. Whoever says so must have conveniently forgotten how the Labour leader used to terrorise residents of the south of Malta that the BWSC PowerStation is a cause for cancer and that this would be changed within two years after the general election.
After almost four years, this “cancer factory”, as it was conveniently referred to by Joseph Muscat prior to the election, remains as is; in fact, it was purchased by the Chinese. Labour’s love (???) for the residents of the south of Malta has been recently confirmed with the approval of the LNG tanker, a monument of corruption, in Marsaxlokk Bay.
Labour are not correct in their objections to the reference to cancer. The government is not fighting, as promised, to destroy the cancer of corruption which resembles a cancer in the heart of society. Muscat and Co. should realise that corruption is one of the biggest enemies of society. Corruption is a cancer that causes problems and destroys one’s belief in democracy.
Apparently, Joseph Muscat forgot what he used to say prior to the election: “He who does not fight corruption when in power is himself corrupt”. But those were different times when Muscat wanted to impress at all costs in order to gather enough votes so that he could achieve his aim of entering Castille as Prime Minister.
2016 dominated by scandals
Early in 2016, Muscat confirmed that he would be strengthening his fight against corruption; the opposite appears to be happening. TwentySixteen was dominated by one scandal following another. Recently we had Evarist Bartolo lying and not taking the immediate necessary action in an alleged case of corruption. We also had Chris Cardona part of a scandal in the consumption of hundreds of euros on drinks during an official visit abroad. Muscat keeps defending them and keeps them in place.
The year 2016 started with the revelations of the Panamagate scandal in which Konrad Mizzi (the only EU minister mentioned) and Muscat’s Chief of Staff were involved. How did Joseph Muscat react? While defending his right-hand and his left-hand man, the cosmetic action he took was meaningless.
A number of mysteries still surround the Panama Papers scandal. We were promised an audit of Konrad Mizzi’s accounts. No results so far. We understand that three companies were opened in Panama, one owned by Konrad Mizzi and the other by Keith Schembri. We are still in the dark as to who owns the third one, Egrant Inc. Does Joseph Muscat know who owns it?
My wish for 2017 is that the government changes direction and starts implementing forgotten promises and, above all, seriously fight corruption. “He who does not fight corruption when in power will himself be corrupt” – so we were told by Muscat prior to the 2013 elections.