Robert Abela likes to play the international card. Malta will be the best in the world. Malta will be the best in Europe. Malta will emerge from the FATF grey-listing stronger than before.
Scroll down on articles and then you read that Malta will have a €3 billion deficit from 2020 and 2021. That is the hard truth. Labour and Joseph Muscat had been unrelenting to the PN in government about the deficit. Under Joseph Muscat and Robert Abela, direct order contracts worth more than a quarter of a billion on their own, on one project. The Stewards hospital contracts, American University of Malta, Electrogas loans and fixed pricing to Enemalta, lands and deals that fraud the population of what should be the wealth to protect them and contribute to their welfare and prosperity. What is being done to restitute any of these funds back to the people?
Instead, there are empty phrases to soothe their conscience, if they have one. They believe they must ensure another victory at the next election. That may well be, unless people finally have enough of the corruption and the finances start hurting the pocket. But what is this sliced bread and butter really gaining for Abela and for the party?
The politics and leadership that Abela preaches, along with the party media, is reducing the Labour party into a local grocer, out-dated, shamed and a fallen group of pretenders. In a sense, even those who support him must know that Malta is now amongst the countries associated with criminal and despotic rules, hunger and poverty. In summary, basically, all the ministers and their ministry, all the One TV, radio and newspapers, online portals and kazini, are nothing more than an online ad for those who think that life begins and ends with Labour, Mintoff and Joseph Muscat.
The people are rather indifferent towards Robert Abela. After the big fail on the handling of the pandemic in summer 2020 and the long time it took to reverse the situation, they allowed some approval to be restored in him. He has seen a comeback in approval ratings. But what else? That he replaced the disgraced ministers, Konrad Mizzi and Chris Cardona, or that he appointed the new Commissioner of Police? That Keith Schembri and Adrian Hillman are accused of money-laundering crimes? Or perhaps because Edward Scicluna moved to the important position of Governor of the Central Bank?
Each minister looks for ways to secure their territory and their constituents. Nothing is beneath them. In addition, they will avoid completely to give their opinion on facts that show gross misdemeanor and they will twist and shift out of any declaration that may hurt the party in some way and then use the age-old ploy of blaming the opposition for any criticism.
Fine. Do that. What comes to mind is the Parable of the Trees. Once the trees went forth to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, “Reign over us!” But none of the great trees would compromise their essence and prestige. One by one they refused until they turned to the bramble.
The bramble was lying in wait for an opportunity to dominate and rule. It readily accepted the offer of kingship and just as readily followed with a threat of coercive dominance bringing decay and death.
If they carry on to rule in this self-centered, autocratic mode their power will be reduced to that of a lotto receiver. Possibly to that of the outdoor festa celebrations committee.
Whatever the opinions held amongst voters, our country really deserves better. The fall-out now is not just in the economy or the place that we have diplomatically or to attract investment into Malta. Decisions on transport, building of roads that encourage more use of cars, the destruction of nature and the environment, in particular trees and agricultural land are having a direct effect on climate change. We are completely exposed to global warming and do precious little to try and change our negative impact on climate. These past nearly two weeks of sustained heat wave with some record breaking temperatures and continuous hot wind is a clear indication of what is to come.
We need a government that will tackle climate change seriously and meaningfully. No use encouraging solar panels to be installed on our roof tops when a block of 7 floors throws shadow over the neighbouring property’s panels.
One initiative cancels the other when it is based on self-interest only and not on a programme for common good. Same with the subsidised stamp duty on property contracts in Gozo, in particular.
Making hay whilst the sun shines is turning into fires everywhere. There is so little space left where fireworks can be let off and any responsible government would ensure emergency legislation to protect wildlife in this heat-wave scenario. In Spain, the community cannot even have a BBQ on their own property. It is prohibited and they must have special permission for it. Just because we do not have any trees for forest fires and are surrounded by the sea does not mean that we will not be doing inestimable damage with fires that break out to the vegetation that still exists.
Really, Robert Abela needs to bring his government into the present and look for the future instead of muttering inane comments about best in the world. As he is now he appears simply to be a peg on which Joseph Muscat hangs his panama hat.
This dual reality, on the one part passive believers and on the other hopelessly discarded people, cannot stand the harsh truth that will be our fate soon enough. For their own sake and for a minimal self-respect, transparent action is needed, strong leadership with clear goals to mend the ways of abuse and unlawful behaviour and a commitment to work for the good of country, in unity with civil society to once again restore Malta’s good name and save our economy and the future generation. Most importantly a strong will to do better.
Robert Abela should take some time for introspection and find where best and how that remedy can be delivered. A technocrat interim government, a totally transparent and revamped administration and working hand in hand to ensure that justice and good governance prevail over partisanship and rivalry. Oranges and birthday greetings are not going to cut it anymore, not for either party, Labour or PN. We are in a critical point where serious standards are demanded from all sides.