The Judas of our Times
It started with a kiss. Whether it was the kiss of love, or it was transient with no strings attached, or whether it was the kiss of Judas, it is for you to decide.
Dr Busuttil, consistent with his repeated pledges, showed what leadership is about.
Iam quite sure that, like me, many of you have at some point or another experienced at least one of the three. Unlikely as it may seem, this brings me to the subject which during these past few days has topped the national agenda.
During the Nationalist Party fund-raising telethon, Dr Simon Busuttil revealed that the db Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Arthur Gauci, sent him the following text message: “Dottor Busuttil, qeghdin nitolbu meeting urgenti mieghek halli ilpartit irodd lura dak kollu li lGrupp taghna gie mitlub ihallas matul iz-zmien”.
The message is very revealing and also alarming because, earlier in the day, Dr Busuttil had emphasised that the Nationalist Party will be asking the Auditor General to investigate the contract entered into between the Government and the db Group on a piece of the land which the Group had acquired from Government. The site in question is in St George’s Bay, part of what is referred to as the golden mile and currently occupied by the Institute for Tourism Studies.
Incidentally, Dr Busuttil made the announcement after it became public knowledge that the €60 million price tag cited was fictitious. In sections of the media it was reported that the price was actually far lower; in fact, the db San Gorg Property Company, owned by hotelier and mega entrepreneur Silvio Debono, will pay a premium of €5 million and another €10 million in seven annual instalments for the site. The rest will be paid for through the redemption of ground rent on residences included in the project. Moreover, the ground rent was reduced from €1.6 million to €1,000 a year until the project is completed. No interest is due to the national coffers on the instalments.
Indeed, the €60 million price tag for the site is fallacious and outright deceitful.
But what is worse than the text message is the fact that it contrasts sharply to that stated in an interview with the db Group CEO carried by The Independent on Sunday of 5 February 2017. The interview was extensive. Mr Gauci made a strong case for the Group and defended the €60 million price tag for the ITS site.
In that interview Mr Gauci had unequivocally stated that, “Over the years we have occasionally given minor donations, not of any material amounts [Mr Gauci would not settle on providing numbers but stressed that they were small amounts]”, when asked, “Did you donate to the PN or the PL prior to the 2013 general election?”
Mr Gauci’s reply of 5 February and the message sent to Dr Busuttil on 5 March are miles apart and contradict each other. An explanation by Mr Gauci is not only expected but necessary to clear the heavy air which now surrounds the matter.
Mr Gauci, perhaps thoughtlessly, felt that he could send what may be labelled a sinister message to the Leader of the Opposition immediately after the intentions of the PN regarding the sale of the site were made public. The message could be interpreted in many ways. Perhaps the most ominous is that the db Group wants to muzzle the PN from voicing the people’s exasperation with this administration. If this is the case, then the competent authorities, including the police, cannot remain complacent. This is no battle of words. This is a very serious matter; one which is not simply blurring a working relationship between a political party and an entrepreneur. It is much deeper than that, and perhaps indicative that our democracy may be in jeopardy. It is sad that our young and feeble democratic structures are being unreservedly challenged, and are failing to respond timely and adequately on too many occasions.
Dr Busuttil, consistent with his repeated pledges, showed what leadership is about. His courage and determination are signs of what is in store for these islands if he is entrusted with their administration. Changing the status quo in a small society like ours is no easy task. But changes are necessary for the good of society. The dividends of a transparent and an accountable administration are high, where no distinction between nationalists, labourites or supporters of other political formations is made. Taking the bold step of making the text received from the db Group CEO has many implications; nonetheless I am quite certain that this reinforces that political parties and entrepreneurs can still work together without the need to resort to brown envelopes which cost dearly to the rest of society.
In these unusual revelations, a mega hotelier felt that he can make a call on a party finances because he felt aggrieved that the party, which represents the people, did not remain tightlipped over what was perceived by the Chamber of Commerce and the Malta Developers Association as far from transparent and correct and what, in people’s vernacular, is daylight robbery.
This event has also revealed that serving politicians and aspiring ones need to abide by a code of conduct which avoids any real or perceived conflict of interest. No such chances can be taken. Dr Busuttil has clearly spelled this out.
Some may think that the PN may kiss goodbye any chances of winning the coming general election. I beg to differ; but if this is the price which has to be paid, then so be it. I would rather live in a country which has to battle day and night to ensure good governance, than remain silent and allow the selected few act as if they own the islands.