Oh how sweet that Konrad and Joseph have such a close relationship, the envy of any couple on the dance floor. Every move so well sequenced, so in step one with the other. Which free and democratic country can boast of such a like-minded leader and deputy leader and not only that but also the whole troupe, all so aspirational and overflowing with their support?
The people are filled with admiration and wonder at how far this couple have travelled together. They have come from nowhere and now their fame and fortune extends to the furthest corners of the planet. From Azerbaijan to China, from Panama to New Zealand. Queries of a wealth so great that a humble Maltese bank account or even Trust could not contain. Indeed. Fortune has smiled on the duet. And they share such belief in each other that really nothing, nothing at all, not even the most serious accusations of improper conduct will dampen their spirit. Frodo and his faithful friend Sam will see this whole mission through to the end. True there is a burden to carry and the journey is fraught with dangers of all kinds but their higher purpose ensures they never give up.
At least we know that they are not alone. Others too have embarked on this adventure to the land of Lords. Who knows too how many others will emerge along the way, to support this brave ensemble?
Here at home, we see a whole troupe of Ministers who are ready to follow blindly. All singing from the same song sheet. Whatever their master says, they reply, is right and they have no need to say or add any comment of their own. If the public are thinking that they should make the political argument, they should realise that once elected, these representatives of the people, are doing their job only by following their leader and no one else. So what is there to protest?
There is plenty to protest.
There is the hurt that has been inflicted on our economy. Can you imagine what would happen in Italy if Renzi bought a vineyard in Bordeaux instead of Chianti? Or if he invested heavily from the nation’s coffers in Volkswagen instead of Fiat? Well, the tossing aside of Maltese financial services for his wealth, by the Minister of Health and of Energy, is even graver than that. But I suppose we should not wonder at all. After all Malta does sell its own passport, doesn’t it?
When a fuss was made by the Opposition at that time of the Citizenship sale, people were willing to let the matter slide. Principles and values however, have a stubborn way of not budging and here again is a clear case of not caring one bit if Malta suffers.
Protest too at the disgrace, the shame, the arrogance. In a globalised world people understand all too well nowadays the corruption, the theft, the banks that have left people homeless, the drug lords, the human trafficking, the sale of organs, the wars inflicted for oil and pipelines and the sale of arms. Panama is a home for these proceeds. Legitimate wealth can also be invested there for secrecy but it would have to be more, much more than your usual garden variety.
Where is the Prime Minister in all of this? Left, right and centre. Every time Konrad looks up he shall see Joseph and every time Joseph looks down he shall see Konrad. Those people who scammed electricity from Enemalta and were told to own up and pay back their dues, are probably thinking that the whole episode happened a decade ago. It’s a great pity that they did not have a trust for their wife and children and an empty factory.
How can any measure of the law be taken seriously from now on in Malta? A case of a Minister who may have broken the Income tax Act is casually brushed aside without scrutiny. Secret contracts and silent meetings. Civilians dying in custody. Magistrates made and the constitution dismissed. EU laws are for others. I wonder how the Sicilian fishermen accused of fishing in Maltese territorial waters feel about that? Two weights and two measures.
The implications go far and wide. Unfortunately so many in Malta do not see beyond their front door and are experts in greed and entitlement. Civil society is not a part of the national fabric. For this reason, the enormous gravity of the situation facing the Minister of Health and of Energy does not register as being harmful or wrong. The Hon. Muscat and Mizzi know this well enough and will use it not only to draw sympathy from those quarters but also from the party and all the PL members of parliament and the largest cabinet.
The double standards that are a part of this government cannot be dismissed that easily though. The political ideals have been broken and are nothing but dust. The famous road map is a road to nowhere. Change is dead and lies are cheap. Today it is me, then him, then her, then him again and again. How much more before we say ‘Enough!’ ?
It is well and truly enough now. It is enough for a collective protest to rise. It may not be Tiananmen Square but it can be Castille place on Sunday 6 March. One afternoon in an ordinary life. If people really wanted change then they should be the change instead of all the time passing the buck and saying they will not vote. At least think of others now and show that you do have an opinion and are not just a vessel for Joseph Muscat’s speeches, tweets and videos. Can people tolerate seeing their country being driven to the abyss like this and not say anything? What example does this give to your children, when you keep silent and place the party above the truth, greed above work?
Certainly, in most democratic countries you would have civil society leading the protest against corruption. In Poland it took them just a few weeks to head out to the street when their constitution and the media was being threatened. We are not so easily moved to show our opinion, especially when it may be seen as ‘switching’ although you’d think we have become used to that now. But in the absence of trade unions or other political groups, it falls to the PN to organise a national protest. Now, if you want to be picky and absolutely can’t stand Simon then suit yourself and stay home. But if you can see past the messenger and on to the message, then join the rest of your village and send a clear message that you are fed up and expect far, far better from the government and the largest cabinet. And that is just the beginning of it.
Before anything, Parliament should be a House of Representatives and host proper debate, not serve as a podium for unsubstantiated attack, grandstanding and provocation. The time may come when a walk out by the opposition may be the only option to preserve some dignity for our institution and the democratic system. Furthermore, the courts of Malta should not be used as camps of tribalism and nepotism. Neither is the civil service a party club. Corruption is corruption and not a euphemism by any other name. No amount of posturing and babbling is going to turn a panama hat into a top hat.
And it is not just all the corruption that has become intolerable but also the disregard for what people see as abuse, such as giving Zonqor to the foreign contractors or forcing a new power station onto the economy and substituting one debt with an even bigger one, not to mention the danger involved in having a gas tank on the water in Marsaxlokk. These are all problems that the country is going to have to face further down the line, along with unemployment and the cost of restructuring the economy, transport and roads, industry and the institutions. Regaining the trust of international investors and organisations will be a huge job and may take years.
Don’t blame it on the PN when the ducks are in a row. You can do something, say something. It may not be your favourite picnic but it’s better than turning your face to the wall.