Surprisingly, I do not recall what actually made me read the recent interview with Albert Mizzi in a local newspaper since I have always considered any talk by these so-called entrepreneurs as smoke in our eyes. Love me or hate me, I address them regularly as ‘speculators’, which I consider the best civil word, as undoubtedly there are worse ones.
It was perhaps the picture of the gentleman in question that had struck me. The look of astonishment and consternation on his face and the seemingly incriminating and arrogant finger pointing at possibly anybody who dares to contradict him was reason enough to tickle my curiosity.
In the interview, Mr Mizzi depicts his personal and public roles in numerous business adventures, which are undoubtedly successful ones.
Taking a holier than thou approach, he does not desist from proclaiming, among other things, that “politicians, at least many of them, are the most dishonest people in this world” but then continues that “in business it’s not what you know, but who you know”. No meritocracy here! And whom did he know? Definitely not corrupt politicians, although he failed to mention anything about the corrupt public authorities or corporations that the general public continuously denounce for their shady and questionable dealings.
Maybe Dom Mintoff did not mix enough with the people, Mr Mizzi, and that could have been one of his shortcomings. But you can rest assured that he knew well enough what the people lacked, and he gave it to them – things that all of us have been enjoying all these years, perhaps until now. Can you come anywhere near that record Mr Mizzi?
You declare that you are not a politician, but I’m sure you do not lack political philosophy and that you know well enough on which side your bread is buttered, although I doubt if you have ever came across the saying by Du Bois: “We let men take wealth which is not theirs; if the seizure is ‘legal’ we call it high profits and the profiteers help decide what is legal.”
This is something our friend Mr Mintoff always tried hard, and succeeded, to bring to an end. Mr Mintoff gave Malta back to the Maltese. Today, Malta is again a colony and it is being eroded by greed and corruption and increasingly owned by the foreigner. You seem to be very proud of this, Mr Mizzi!
Aren’t you proud that we had ‘a fantastic negotiator’ like our Prime Minister? The difference is that he gave to the people what he got from his ‘fantastic negotiations’, unlike today when it is evident that one and all are seemingly following your example and selling the family silver, at a substantial profit of course. It’s not far from inviting all and sundry saying: “Would you like a piece of Malta? I’ll build it for you. No problem. The Maltese can’t afford it!” Of course, you aren’t the only one in what is this evidently legal racket and perhaps you are quite content with this proud legacy.
He mentions quite a few ex-prime ministers who he considers honest, but not Mr Mintoff, whom he simply describes as a “stingy type” and under who corruption was more common despite declaring that he does not for a moment think that any of the prime ministers he was involved with were corrupt.
He does not refrain from taking the holier than thou attitude with respect to Mr Mintoff and stresses how he had stood up to him. As if he could in any way lower the esteem of that great person or even in any way try to equate his achievements to those of former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff. In all his legislation, Mr Mintoff always weighed public needs against private wishes; and likewise, he weighed relative social values. He gave to whoever was most deserving.
It is very worrying how you never adopted this moral principle after having worked so closely with him; but, rather, the other way round. I do not believe that anybody has achieved such ethical and honourable feats since then.
Mr Mizzi, as you stated, and I have no doubt about it, “he (Mr Mintoff) had a lot of respect” for you. But, tell me, where can I find a decent, respectful word from you for the grand old man?
Joseph M. Cachia
VITTORIOSA