Out of all the attacks and false accusations I have had to endure over the years, Alfred Sant’s Xarabank ‘scoop’ last Friday is by far the most inane.
The first of a long series of intimidation started with the threat of incarceration when I was in possession of the FIAU report recommending Konrad Mizzi’s criminal investigation. I was informed that I would be dragged through the courts by Keith Schembri’s lawyers representing Pilatus Bank.
The myriad of accusations levelled at me since have required at least substantial creativity and imagination. This latest nonsense from Alfred Sant is just plain dumb. The only way it could be more ridiculous is if ‘Alfred Sant says Casa’s friend’s cousin’s orthodontist implicated in car theft.’
I worked to expose the relationships between those in power and persons involved in corruption and money laundering because those relationships that reeked of criminal activity were at the detriment of the Maltese people.
One such person is Ali Sadr Hasheminejad, who was allowed to open Pilatus Bank in Malta using funds derived from criminal activity at the expense of the financial sector’s reputation and the many livelihoods that depend on it. He was allowed to continue laundering money for the Azeri regime, despite the overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing, probably because of his links to Keith Schembri.
It’s beyond my understanding how Sant reasonably expects parallels to be drawn between the above and his Xarabank “scoop”.
On working against Malta
Having corrupt politicians become the embodiment of the State is dangerous and irresponsible. I serve the Maltese people, not Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri. There is nothing more pressing than safeguarding our democracy and restoring the integrity of our institutions.
There was a time when Alfred Sant had also argued that Konrad Mizzi should go. It is a shame that he has now decided to put his personal interests and political future ahead of the Maltese people.
The ‘damage abroad’ argument is also quite rich coming from Alfred Sant, the man who had informed every single country in the world represented in Malta that the 1998 PN government was illegitimate.
Back then, his actions weren’t in defence of the people of Malta and Gozo. He was lashing out because he lost an election. His actions were at the expense of the people and in aid of his selfish political interests.
On Sant’s social Europe
I’ll confess I was somewhat baffled when I saw Alfred Sant’s campaign slogan “For a more social Europe”. But I was even more perplexed during the Xarabank debate when he claimed this is what he worked on and will continue working on if re-elected.
He must have forgotten he was debating the EPP coordinator on employment and social affairs. I am struggling to find one thing Sant has so much as tried to achieve towards a more social Europe ever since he became an MEP.
Of course, he might have been working ‘behind the scenes’, where he argues most of his work takes place.
Here on Earth, the Work-Life Balance Directive – a new EU law for which I was responsible that will drastically increase the rights of parents and carers across the European Union – will be coming into force in Malta.
At least on the need for a more social Europe, Dr Sant and I are in agreement, in principle if not in practice.
On Taxation
PN MEPs have always, consistently and effectively, defended Malta’s taxation system.
When it was pointed out to Sant that it is the Socialists in the EU that are spearheading efforts to overhaul EU rules on taxation, Dr Sant retorted that Labour MEPs will vote against this proposal in the European Parliament.
Sadly, that really is not good enough. If after five years Dr Sant thinks that an MEP’s contribution starts and stops with how they vote, then he has learnt nothing about how the European Parliament works.
Ultimately, what is crucial is what the political groups have pledged to do in the future. On this point, the Socialist Party’s manifesto is clear: they will push for tax harmonization. Labour’s job was to influence the Socialist’s manifesto – to convince their colleagues to protect Malta’s position.
They failed, and they will continue to fail to safeguard Malta’s interests.
In fact, the biggest threat to Malta’s interests is that Labour’s MEPs have had little power, even less influence and no credibility. They are incapable of even convincing anyone within their own political family in favour of Malta’s position, let alone influencing decisions of the European Parliament.
This will not change in the next legislature.
David Casa is a PN MEP Candidate