Former MPs criticise treatment of Joe Borg
Outgoing European Commissioner Joe Borg.
Two former prominent Nationalist MPs, both of whom feel they should have been better treated by their party, have criticised the way former European Commissioner Joe Borg got to know he would be replaced on his Brussels job.
Joe Psaila Savona, who had served as a parliamentary secretary for tourism and also as a director of Air Malta, said he always believed in saying "thank you" to people he let go.
"When I had to relieve members of chairmanships and boards I would always tell them thank you for their services, even if I was dealing with dead-wood," he said.
On the other hand, he did not know why Dr Borg took the incident to heart because "this is no new thing".
Dr Borg had said he only got to know that Social Policy Minister John Dalli would be replacing him through the evening news. The Prime Minister denied Dr Borg was not consulted - but the former European Commissioner stood by his words.
Despite knowing the feeling, Mr Psaila Savona was surprised at Dr Borg's outburst.
"He is one of us, he should know better," he said, adding that it did not make sense to criticise one's "employers".
He said that when he was being replaced as Air Malta director he was not even notified and only found out because someone who was replacing him told him so during a wedding ceremony.
The incident happened when Austin Gatt was Minister in charge of Air Malta.
"But what do you expect from someone like Austin Gatt? Should I have made a big deal about it?"
He said he preferred to criticise in a subtle way, without making a fuss or "going for a pound of flesh".
"Throughout my political life, let's not say I was shabbily treated, but I thought I should have been treated better. You keep your mouth shut and keep going."
He said even constituents teach you to do this, because when you are elected they get what they want from you but then they can easily discard you and vote for someone else.
Michael Bonnici, who was Deputy Speaker for a number of years, said he often discussed with other ex-MPs about how some people got chosen for certain posts and others were left out.
In a letter to the editor published today he says that "the duo from Castille and the trio DC Pieta' kicked many others out".
He adds that while some shepherds search for lost sheep, others let them go.
Contacted yesterday, Mr Bonnici said he had expected to be made Speaker but instead Anton Tabone was chosen "because he did not get elected to Parliament".
In fact, in 2005 Mr Bonnici had refused a medal from the Nationalist Party that was given to various former MPs to honour their service.
He said certain moves were "strategic" while others were intended to reward "blue-eyed boys" and punish others.
Many decisions showed "absolute preferences", and he gave the example of the role of acting-President as something which should be shared and not given to the same person without alternating, just to keep them happy.
When asked whether he believed Dr Borg's version of events or the rebuttal of Lawrence Gonzi, who said consultations had taken place, Mr Bonnici said: "Joe Borg is very honest," but added that there were many different types of consultation.
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A Ellul
Dec 17th 2009, 18:21
@francis Saliva looks like we are in agreement
Dr Francis Saliba
Dec 17th 2009, 16:20
@AEllul
As far as I am concerned there is no need for you to put up a defence for Dr Psaila Savona because both of us, and many others, can be counted among those who risked life and limb for the PN and its principles and whose families were shattered by the MLP violence of the 70s and 80s. I am sure that Dr Psaila Savona himself will vouch for that. Comparisons would be odious. The great pity is that there are too many of us, scarred veterans from that period, being treated with ingratitude and indifference by the PN parvenu.
A. Ellul
Dec 17th 2009, 12:20
@ Dr Saliba - indeed Dr Psaila Savona was one of those very people who risked life and limb not specifically for the PN but for its ideals. Remember he who was the only candidate for the nationalist party who actually lived in zejtun with a young family during the turbulent '80s when it was held in the grasp of a throng of thugs that were allowed to run riot. I recall his home and clinic was attacked several times. He eventually lost his seat in '96 to one who had the force of party backing and is known more to tow the party-line. That is also part of politics. Our loss as the party could do with more objective and independent thinkers.
@ N Debattista
The point made were two (i) one should not make a fuss when your term comes to an end. it is the Govt's preorgative who it appoints and that is just the way things go. (ii) The correct thing would have been to inform Dr. Borg in an appropriate manner. It is just simple good manners.
Anthony Farrugia
Dec 16th 2009, 09:37
How about starting a public collection to buy a modern mobile phone for Dr J Borg since in the New Year he will have to relinquish his Brussels job.
neville debattista
Dec 15th 2009, 12:45
What exactly is your point Dr.Savona? Why are you criticising the manner in which Dr.Joe Borg was kicked out of office and at the same time you say that the latter should not have made a fuss about it. If in the past you took a knock and had decided to keep mum about it why are you making a fuss about it now? And by what way of reasoning do you pretend Dr.Joe to follow your steps if he feels that he should do otherwise?
C Galea
Dec 14th 2009, 21:46
I'm ready to bet that Dr Borg's phone is so ancient that when Dr Gonzi sent the sms updating him on who'd be appointed next, said message just couldn't go through... :/
c. camilleri
Dec 14th 2009, 20:41
@ A zahra . There is no such things as dismissing. A person should consider himself no long as an occupant of his job once his term expires. He can be called for renewal but if he is not called it means that an other person got the job. Many times it should be the other way round. It the person leaving the job who should thank the one who appointed him.
Kevin Zammit
Dec 14th 2009, 20:36
Interesting that we have such an entrenched corporatist mentality within a democratically elected political institution. Well we all saw the farce on the labour side with Muscat and co, the Sant saga etc. so it does not seem to deter Maltese polititians from dictating like some financial institutionalised corporation whether they are in government or opposition. Meaning that they are taking voters so much for granted that the leaders holds pure currency in the form of votes that s/he can negotiate with at will. Is this really the leaders Malta needs? No wonder nobody does the right thing for the country buut the right thing for him/herself ... just like being an employee ...
George Poitier
Dec 14th 2009, 20:29
Maybe he should consider joining LP. Many are doing it. And they seem to be more appreciative.
Vincent Borg
Dec 14th 2009, 18:13
Although I fully respect your decision, I do not agree with you Dr. Psaila Savona to stay quiet, Remember, if something is wrong you should say that is wrong and on the other hand if something is right you should say its right.. In my opinion. I consider your action to be: L-Anglu tal festa, bill musmar go daharu u inkanta Gloria. Turn the HA HA HA HA HA they first show you, and you will get AH AH AH AH AH when discarded.
c.camilleri
Dec 14th 2009, 16:41
This all goes to show that contrary to what they say 'they are in politics to serve", it is clear that they are in politics for greed. They do not believe in giving any chance to others. All ex politicians/Ministers with the exception of a few whether labour or Nats are of the same clothe. They grumble all the time about being maltreated by the party. In other words, not being offered cushy jobs in parastatal companions or whatever. There are some who keep low profile while others prefer to damage their own party by playing for the gallery. Why is it that an ex MP or ex Minister no longer attend party activities? Why? Is this the love or loyalty for their party? Why they no longer want to serve? All this grumbling and whining have clearly shown that the majority of politicians are hypocrites. They always want some more.
A. Zahra
Dec 14th 2009, 16:39
It seems that Dr. Gonzi lacks the human touch when it comes to dismissing personnel. Pity.
Joseph Cauchi
Dec 14th 2009, 16:33
Many are of the opinion that in Malta, being a Nationalist is a disadvantage. Why, you may ask! When the (M)LP is in government, the Labour supporters are generally preferred over the PN supporters and taken care of by their own government and when the PN is in government the PN supporters are NOT preferred over the (M)LP supporters and in most cases are actually preferred over PN supporters. So, what is more advantageous to be in Malta, an (M)LP supporter or PN? The answer is obvious! Many are asking the question of when is the PN government going to stop playing the “holier than thou” card and continue hiding itself under the PC (Political Correctness) Banner? JC.
edgar gatt
Dec 14th 2009, 15:08
When one is appointed on a board, one is paid for the work one does. Each appointment is for a 1 year period and can either be renewed or teminated. I was a member on a board and when the time was up, all members of the board received a letter informing us that our services were no longer required. I never complained as I knew that my appointment was for a limited time. Nor did i feel disappointed that it was not renewed. On the other hand politicians can feel disappointed when they are discarded by their constituents and should sit down and see why they were not elected rather than grumble to the press
P.Cassar
Dec 14th 2009, 13:11
ARROGANCE IS ARROGANCE
Trying to sugar it makes the culprit do it over and over again, as is in fact happening.
John Debattista
Dec 14th 2009, 12:57
Big heads allways means = arrogance Mr Savona.I don't agree with you to stay quiet ,as if nothing wrong is happening within the PN party............................
Mario Farrugia
Dec 14th 2009, 12:53
Maybe Dr. Gonzi can make up for his faux pas by presenting Dr. Borg with a more modern mobile phone for Xmas???
Just joking.... only trying to see the possible light side of a truly sad situation. Whichever side of the political fence one may be on, one has to admit that Dr. Borg has been a truly admirable Maltese "general" on the EU scene and he surely deserved better treatment from his party.
I hope the Xmas spirit will help clear up any bad air between the two gentlemen.
A. Fenech
Dec 14th 2009, 12:43
So whats new. Thats the way the NP system works. All they are interested is to retain the
vote. Or so they hope.
john Micallef
Dec 14th 2009, 12:16
Biex qed tiskantaw jahasra!! Mela Jesmond Mugliett imissu jiringrazzja l-Alla li kien baghtlu SMS meta ma tahx ministeru.
Aroganti hekk ma ta madwaru, ahseb u ara mal- popolin!!
Gonzi bhala floating voter nghidlek: you need a break habib!!
Dr Francis Saliba
Dec 14th 2009, 11:34
The abject subservient mentality that Dr Joe Borg “is one of us and should know better” and that “it does not make sense to criticize one’s employers” is precisely the cause of the high- handed methods that one has come to expect from “the duo from Castille and the trio DC Pieta”. It is a dangerous arrogance because it seriously imperils the future of a PN for which many risked lives and limbs in the not so distant past.
alex vella
Dec 14th 2009, 11:22
Rest assured that there are many other former Nationalist MPs that are disgruntled at the way they were treated by their own party. Maybe they don't like speaking in public but I surely know of at least 2 others.
What is the party doing to reach out to these people? Didn't they do a service to the party, country and people? Some even risked their life in worse times. The medal is a form of recognition but not all. Some even had to start working afresh after they had to forfeit their job for many reasons and yet some top jobs are given to the same people or to people that now crossed party lines.
I hope my appeal doesn't fall on deaf ears
J.Tonna
Dec 14th 2009, 11:11
I fully agree with Dr Psaila Savona and with Mr Bonnici. I am not surprised at all, that is the way the PN treat its followers. It has been ongoing since the time of Dr G. Borg Olivier, at least. MLP followers were employed with the government and PN followers left out, because "everyone knew that they were Nazzjonlisti" they were told.
Now that everyone is using his mind, it is no wonder the PN is losing support everyday.
mary lee cauchi
Dec 14th 2009, 10:04
I think it is not a matter of what party does these things..I think it is a matter of arrogance.
In my case, being a hard worker and a loyal one has caused me to endure some episodes of this sort...The way I see it, many employers, mainly the ones who got big overnight and now they see their fellow poor friends as just flies, resort to this type of behaviour, especially with people who are hard-working and 'kwieti'..
Like Dr Psaila Savona said, he did not expect Dr Borg to react, because he is known as a very quiet and silent guy...That's what Gonzi expected as well.