The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry has condemned the poor standard of governance and appealed to the persons in public office to take note of its repercussions.

It said that people in public office need to be aware that, “irrespective of their right to a private life, when unethical behaviour becomes public knowledge, their position in public office becomes untenable.”

Therefore, the Chamber said that it is asking for persons in public office to strive to maintain high standards in both their public and private life.

The Chamber added that overall it is disappointed at how the “current crisis of standards in public life” is being handled, “which is allowing the country to go through another spiral of reputational damage.”

“Reputational damage hurts international business prospects and the livelihood of many. It makes a mockery of the country in international fora and reinforces poor ethical standards among upcoming generations.”

“The political price of shenanigans at the highest institutions of the country is ultimately paid by the country as a whole, multiple times over. It is high time the highest authorities of the country step up and clean up for real.”