Deborah Schembri
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Simplification of Administrative Processes.
In March 2013, the Maltese people consciously abandoned the divisive politics of the past and strongly welcomed the unifying politics of the future. It was a bold statement in favour of humble politicians who listen and deliver what they promise.
A government earns trust by implementing its electoral manifesto, by bringing changes for the common good. This government is keeping its promises by reducing energy tariffs, providing free childcare, increasing pensions, reducing income tax, introducing civil unions, addressing the issue of out-of-stock medicines, and more.
With an economy growing by 6.3 per cent, generating wealth and careers, citizens undoubtedly perceive their daily living in a more positive way.
People expect politicians to be role models who are untainted by anything illegal or morally reprehensive. Mid-term into this legislature, a positive change can be felt. From a situation where politicians tell abusers they should have not continued their wrongdoing once their political party was about to lose the election to a situation where whistleblowers are given protection to reveal all they know about abuse by politicians.
We are now hearing endlessly about the Panama issue. The leaks have surely shocked the world and revealed names from the field of politics, business and sports, among others. Some are genuine, others are not. That is precisely why different reactions were registered through different actions taken in different scenarios.
Fabricating stories, to the point of attributing wrongdoing, is simply giving a blanket, unfair judgement dictated by a partisan agenda. As the influential UK newspaper, The Guardian, explained, “there is absolutely nothing illegal about going offshore”.
Let’s put things into perspective.
While others try to take us back in time for sake of partisan politics, we will keep pushing Malta as a country for all
Panama is not an ideal place where to open companies given its reputation. Minister Konrad Mizzi, as he himself admitted, made an error of judgement based on politically naive advice. But should this give rise to any type of speculation, masterfully spinned to look like something it was never meant to be? My reply would strongly be in the negative.
It is evident, from the leaks themselves, that Mizzi holds no funds and no bank accounts, confirming his version of events right from the very start when he gave full access to journalists to scrutinise the trust and related documents. What a contrast to former minister Austin Gatt’s attitude who told the media “it’s none of your business” when asked about his claim of forgetting to declare a Swiss bank account!
This government will not turn a blind eye to genuine calls for explanations. From a situation where politicians never assumed political responsibility for the oil scandal, for the corruption in the VAT Department and many others, we have already progressed to a situation where reports by independent institutions are acted upon. The Prime Minister has now made it clear that Mizzi will continue pursuing the tax investigation and an independent audit, upon which decisions will be taken.
While the Opposition laments over corruption, without any trace of credibility, it had to be this Cabinet to remove time-barring on political corruption. Convinced of our integrity, my colleagues and I decided to be kept answerable for our actions today until we are on our deathbed. For some reason, Simon Busuttil and his party never had the courage to do so.
The country has made huge leaps forward. While others try to take us back in time for sake of partisan politics, we will keep pushing Malta as a country for all.
Busuttil will remain bitter; we are going to remain better.
Simon Busuttil
Leader of the Nationalist Party.
Yes, it has most certainly tarnished all politicians involved, not least our own Prime Minister, his eminence grise and his topmost minister. According to International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, the Panama Papers scandal “exposes a global array of crime and corruption”.
That is why we are protesting tomorrow in front of Castille, just as the people of Iceland did last Monday precipitating their Prime Minister’s stepping aside. And that is why we have lodged a motion of no confidence in Joseph Muscat’s government.
The facts of this case have been before us for seven weeks but, instead of doing the right thing, Muscat has spent all this time inventing lies about me, my deputy leaders and PN officials.
The problem with Muscat is that he acts as if politics is a game and he can spin his way through every scandal. This attitude has torn Muscat’s credibility to shreds.
For a week now, Panama Papers have been in every news medium worthy of the name around the globe. The ICIJ have revealed new facts about Malta.
Muscat’s two closest associates tried to open secret bank accounts in Dubai and Panama but the banks there smelled a rat and asked them to assure them that the money they were to deposit was not coming from corruption, that it was wealth they owned before their appointments in government, and explain what kind of ‘brokerage’ they are engaging in.
This is what I want tomorrow’s and our no confidence motion’s message to be: out with corruption; in with honest politics
The questions are now quite obvious.
What business of ‘brokerage’ are Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri engaging in when they are in the highest echelons of power?
Where have they parked the money they wanted to deposit in the bank accounts they were refused?
Why did Schembri need a secret company in Panama when he already had one in the British Virgin Islands?
These developments are grave and unprecedented in our modern history. Never before have we witnessed corruption allegations of this nature at the highest level of power.
These developments would have led to the immediate dismissal of the people concerned in any other European country. So why not in Malta, which Muscat promised to make ‘the best in Europe’?
It took the Prime Minister in Iceland just 48 hours to understand that his position was no longer tenable and leave. However, in Malta, after 48 long days of uncertainty, our own Prime Minister has obtusely refused to understand the gravity of the situation.
This has led to a feeling of disgust and uncertainty that is palpable across the country. And this is why people are increasingly looking at the Prime Minister as being the problem, rather than the solution.
What we need is hope that things can truly be done differently.
This is why I have made it my mission to clean up our political system once and for all. And I am committed to deliver just as I had done when it was my mission to help our country join the European Union, against all odds.
This is why, since December, I have been discussing with civil society a blueprint containing the most radical set of proposals on clean, honest and open government.
This is what I want tomorrow’s protest and our no confidence motion’s message to be: out with corruption; in with honest politics.
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