The events which have been the talking point all over Malta these past days as well as others we report in this issue pose a direct challenge to the authorities in Malta.

There is, of course, a need to monitor and supervise the financial services sector operating in Malta to ensure that the laws are followed by all and that no deviation from the rules and the regulations is allowed.

Every time that a case comes up, whether in Malta or abroad, which sheds a negative light on Malta's supervisory levels, that undermines Malta's good name and the reputation as a trustworthy jurisdiction.

In these times, it is very easy to get a reputation for sleaze and it is then very hard to shake off such a reputation, however, unfounded.

It is the duty of all Maltese, and of all businesses operating in and from Malta to safeguard Malta's reputation as a trust-worthy jurisdiction.

One cannot say that the authorities in Malta are not doing their job, as the statement we carried last week regarding an investment company showed.

However, many would want this supervision and regulation to be even more strict, considering the number of cases which make it to the public domain, also considering that there would normally be a further number which never make it to the news media.

The authorities have a variety of tools with which to carry out their supervisory duties and these tools, from police investigations to other tools, must be kept in readiness and used whenever they must be used. There must not be any skimping on providing these authorities with what is necessary for them to carry out their duties.

At the same time, these authorities must prove to be efficient and thorough. There have been a number of cases where malefactors slipped through the net or were allowed to go scot-free.

It is very important that politicians and political parties stay away from this supervision and do not allow not even the least doubt there could be political interference about. Unfortunately, our political environment turns political parties into just about everything, which is surely not right for a functioning democracy.

On the other hand, however, one must not allow the perception to creep in, both locally and internationally, that all Malta is riddled with corruption, that all Maltese are sleazy and corrupt.

If one listened in to the Toni Abela hearing on Tuesday, a comment made by one of the people on the panel seemed to say precisely that - and it hurts.

The same seems to be happening with regards to the way people perceive politicians and political parties. Recent surveys of public opinion have shown a growing number of Maltese who are sick of political parties, all political parties and who have joined in a chorus that says "A pox upon you all".

Finding the right balance is thus, as usual, the most important thing to do.