The resignation of Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana sends a strong, and much needed message of zero tolerance towards any shadow of a doubt of questionable conduct, the Chamber of Commerce said on Monday.
Caruana resigned hours after it was revealed that her husband, former Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta, had a close relationship with Yorgen Fenech, the alleged mastermind in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
In as statement, the Chamber cautiously welcomes the “breath of fresh air that is apparently characterising the first week in office of new Prime Minister Dr Robert Abela.”
The decisions taken so far augur well for the future, it said.
It welcomed the fact that the subject of Good Governance being given its much deserved attention by the Prime Minister’s cabinet, which was in turn supplemented by the establishment of a committee focusing on this matter.
Referring to Caruana’s resignation, the Chamber said, “our country’s leaders must be kept accountable to the highest level of standards, and the tempestive action in this regard was very well received.”
It also welcome the announcement, by Planning and Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia, that he will be keeping and publishing a register of all meetings he has with stakeholders. The step being taken by Farrugia in a bid to strengthen transparency and accountability was revealed by The Malta Independent on Sunday. This is certainly the direction the country’s administration needs to look at, the Chamber said.
It also welcomed the statement by Minister for Internal Affairs Byron Camilleri who said that every single allegation needed to be investigated.
“The Chamber welcomes these moves, and augurs that such commendable initiatives shouldn't be left to the prerogative of individual Ministers, but ought to be made a Government-wide requirement for all the administration. In light of the above, the Chamber expresses a degree of cautious optimism. There are several more recommendations that the Government needs to consider, but certainly, so far so good.”