Scammers, the lot. Konrad Mizzi's and Keith Schembri's supposed audit of their financial affairs have been in the Prime Minister's desk drawer since 21st September 2016 and 12th October, respectively, and in the common and scornful lack of transparency that has become the hallmark of this self-serving bunch of scammers, the documents were not released and moreover, denied as having been signed and delivered. After all, had not the PM used the excuse of the audit as his response to the pandemonium of the Panama Papers?
These two officials, one who was elected by the people and the other who was not, have at the core of their beliefs, the total and utter rejection of the principle of authority. Mizzi, to some lesser degree than Schembri, seeing as he has at least turned up for the PANA Committee enquiry, although thinking that empty phrases would be sufficient to get them off his back. He, at least, has to consider some implications of his behaviour on his chances for re-election, though he must be in some utopian dream.
In the case of Keith Schembri, the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, employed in that position on a trust basis and not having been ever a part of the governing body of Malta, not even that minimal consideration was necessary. A last minute concession, in the form a hand delivered envelope to the chairman, Werner Langen, was all that he was willing to concede.
We know that Joseph Muscat and the Labour party opposed vehemently Malta's joining the European Union. He treated his voting card like a worthless piece of paper and almost as an insult to his integrity. This was a show for the benefit of Labour supporters and a fight to choose anarchy instead of authority.
But the people chose the EU and its authority, with the Commission, Parliament and Council all having a recognised role in the way our country would go forward, its legislation and the power invested in it. The people understood the sovereignty of our country remained essentially intact if not reinforced.
Joseph Muscat saw that the way of anarchy was not going to get the Labour party elected and so he went with the flow and re-aligned his electoral campaign to in fact reflect order, transparency, accountability and all the values that go with respecting authority, not just of the European Union, but, most importantly, of the people. Here the grand scam begins.
To make sure that he did not fall victim to the whims of authority, his confidant Keith Schembri, was put in the position of trust as his Chief of Staff and in turn, a desk was thought to be organised for their financial services advisers - something Brian Tonna denies - to ensure and protect their interests and all together, empower ethically challenged businesses to cheat and exploit the weak who had voted for the EU. The con was set. What better cover for an anarchist than the highest office of authority?
Joseph Muscat and Konrad Mizzi, as elected officials, had a little fear, just enough to avoid being exposed and so they played along with audits and tagging the media with them. In Keith Schembri's case, he had no such interest and fair to say, remained steadfast in his non-compliance, grudgingly submitting a defiant reply to the committee's questions. He thinks he has nothing to lose and will not pay the price for his radical conduct because he has no fear. If he is with Joseph Muscat, then he cannot be against him. Same goes for Mizzi. And both are given the full protection by the prime minister, who considers himself the sole owner of Malta Inc., free to dispose of its assets and opportunities as entitlement for this ultimate Position of Trust.
Now, the clash begins. Sunday's demonstration which brought out a definitely larger number of people than Muscat would have imagined, is evidence that the scam is coming apart and the country is fed up and seeing through the lies and corruption that followed the false ideas fed to them by the wolf in sheep's clothing. They have had enough of the disempowerment and are looking to take the power back. Muscat, in his condescending manner says that the people will judge him. What he is really saying is that there is no authority above him other than the people. Only the people see now that even this is a lie and that he doesn't care a jot about the people, all the while sinking deeper and heavier into a mire of corruption and antagonistic behaviour, which is of itself a discarding of any conscience he may have towards the people.
As for the institutions of authority, now the last vestige of freedom of speech has been compromised, there is little left to disturb his sleep, his coffee in the morning and his gym sessions. Car bombs are safely avoided on his way to work, the police commissioner has another virtual desk at Castille, the courts are now amply populated with stooges and every person in authority since 2013 has been replaced by a person of trust, thereby forming part of the scam.
What Joseph Muscat is failing to see is that the people are not as dumb as he thinks and that there is indeed a political price to pay.
There is a reverse effect in showing the finger to authority and it is happening now. There are real and visual effects such as crime, families and individuals facing financial hardship and poor service and the harm being done to the country's interests in having chosen to join the European Union or such as the sense of insecurity being felt by the people, and other effects that are non-tangible but nevertheless harmful.
The conduct of the holders of Egrant, Hearnville and Tillgate trusts in Panama are responsible for the conflict between order and democracy and that anarchical rulership at the top of which, ironically, sits Joseph Muscat. Had he to be, at the least, divided within himself between anarchy and authority he may still draw some support and hold some influence over his ministers and Chief of Staff. But the brutal fact is that he is one and wholly in contradiction of his words.
For the people, they may stay out of the debate about blackened-out deals such as Vitals and Electrogas, gas tankers in the harbour and arrogant behaviour but if there is one thing they cannot tolerate it is being underestimated, ridiculed and treated like a peasant from the realms of Pinochet and Eva Peron.
Keith Schembri will do as he chooses. Konrad Mizzi will continue with his La La Land routines. Fear is a weapon that is being applied more and more to anyone who dares to question this state of affairs. Garnishee orders, registering of web-sites, taking over the state media, harassment, finding your case being heard by a politically appointed judge, a police force that answers to one man and any other way an ordinary person can be challenged. The response is growing louder, more united and clearer.
We will not stay silent, we will take back our country from these scammers.