Are we sure we can find some integrity around here? I am afraid not, and the more time passes, the more it becomes like a search for the Holy Grail. This seems a harsh statement, but the most recent events have left me, and others, flabbergasted and disillusioned.
Let’s focus on something which has been debated through countless white papers, parliamentary sessions, television debates and social media pundits. Integrity is the absolute must for those who hold office. As we all know, it isn’t difficult to idealise our leaders, especially when all that honey poured upon us during electoral campaigns makes us eager to savour it.
If we cut the crap that we’re fed, what matters most is whether the leaders we elect are fit for the job and whether they will act in the sole interest of the country and its citizens with the highest degree of honesty. That’s what integrity is all about, and based on this rationale we should select and assess our leadership.
We are also well aware that the political arena is characterised by blurred boundary lines. It doesn’t come easy to act with integrity when integrity is not a cultural norm. I am not ashamed and I don’t hesitate to say that we are not on a par with the most advanced democracies, because even at the highest levels, integrity has just turned out to be a buzzword, and corruption seems the order of the day.
Justice has lost its way in the meanders of political chess moves
I like correlating this to doing business. Would you do business with someone you cannot trust? Definitely not. No contract can ever bridge the gap with an untrustworthy business partner. With governance, it’s no different.
Actions governed by integrity will create an environment of trust, because the fundamental rules and actions are defined, available for public scrutiny and subject to a public debate.
We need strong controllership and not toothless tigers. The institutions that are responsible for controllership need the necessary powers to investigate and, if necessary, to lead the prosecution efforts. The independence of these institutions is a must, and there can be no argument about that.
Political interference has to be abolished, and the institutions’ independence has to be guaranteed and guarded at all costs.
How many times have we seen political appointees rig or derail institutional objectives through artful inactivity?
The end result is disastrous - injustice and the complete disillusionment of the public towards the most sacred institutions. If you are into politics, the general opinion is that you’re a crook by profession.
I am also a strong believer in adequate penalties. Sounds draconian, but in all honesty everyone’s got to pay the price, not just the average Joe; otherwise what justice would it be if concessions were made for just one segment of society. You mess up and you pay for it, plain and simple.
The dirty ones have to be washed away with no possibility of getting back. As we currently stand, justice has lost its way in the meanders of political chess moves. How much our political system needs a bleaching!
One must not forget the human element in the whole equation. It is useless having the best systems, laws, rules and guidelines in place when the fundamental element is weak. What I reckon is that in order for us to make that desirable quantum leap, we need better people and better leaders. But how do we get there?
This is a tough question that doesn’t have one answer, since there are a number of aspects that need to be dealt with. For sure, we have to eradicate the culture of “cutting corners” to achieve the results. I firmly believe this can only be addressed through the country’s educational system.
It is no different from educating our children towards a healthier lifestyle or any other relevant skill. Therefore we have to start at a very young age to create leaders.
There is also a clear correlation between integrity and justice. One cannot exist without the other. The implications of any of these lacking or diminishing in a democratic society is a clear challenge to the essence of democracy itself. As a result, the risks of totalitarianism or dictatorships emerging may not be so remote after all.
As citizens we have the ultimate responsibility for the guardianship of the country we live in. We cannot take things for granted and we have to be vigilant over the people we elect as our leaders
If one government fails to uphold its duty, we have the right to challenge that though the democratic process.
The culture of debate, the culture of transparency, has to become a norm, and this can only happen through reform of our institutions, through generational changes and though education.
Robert Busuttil is an engineer.