Editorial
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Another divisive appointment
The Labour government’s decision to appoint Jason Micallef to head the prestigious Valletta 2018 committee is yet another partisan appointment. In just eight weeks, the new government has managed to upset even the most moderate voter by appointing...
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Snipping off the red tape for business
Potential investors need to be given red carpet treatment rather than shackled by red tape. This is the message that the Government has sent when the Prime Minister announced a number of measures aimed at making it easier for entrepreneurs to set up...
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COLA back on the back burner
When will the long-running controversy over the cost-of-living wage adjustment (COLA) be settled? The controversy usually erupts at budget time, but the Finance Minister has added a new dimension to the issue through comments he made to this...
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The danger of scaring away talent
It is often noted that the only natural resources this minuscule country possesses are its people. Notwithstanding the small population, throughout history there have been Maltese who have made a name for themselves and for their country in...
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We must promote science in action
Most parents agree that young children are usually fascinated by the marvels of natural sciences. As they grow older they discover the beauty of the world around them, whether it is in the area of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering or other...
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From ‘good performer’ to laggard
Only four years ago an EU official had gone on record saying that Malta had managed to learn the ropes of a complicated and highly bureaucratic system very well and was performing much above its weight. He was referring to the absorption of funds...
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Implement the fireworks safety report
The news that an elderly man was badly burnt while allegedly handling chemicals for ground fireworks at his residence in the centre of Mqabba brought home yet again the stark reality of the dangers of pyrotechnics, the amateur nature of quite a few...
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Don’t rush constitutional reform
The third edition of the President’s Forum held last week discussed constitutional reform, a theme the political parties highlighted in last month’s election. The President’s initiative is welcome as there are certainly aspects of the Constitution...
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Spare the code and spoil the schools
Older people often complain that the behaviour of young people today is different from what it used to be in years gone by. They argue that the younger generation have little respect for authority, whether this is exercised by parents in the home or...
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What kind of ‘good governance’ is this?
A unit is to be set up to carry out what has been described as a spending review in all government ministries. At the same time, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna appears all set to start tackling the task of cutting unnecessary expenditure and bring...
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Children do not belong in institutions
Yet another minister has announced that the Government would like to facilitate the adoption of children living in institutions or with foster families. Current legislation can stand in the way of adoption. If objections are voiced by the birth...
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Young farmers plough back energy
Many believed that agriculture was always destined to experience a slow decline ever since the island joined the European Union in 2004. The EU’s Common Agriculture Policy is perceived to assist farmers working on large farms rather than those with...
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Splitting prison’s chain of command
The recent unorthodox, unexpected visit by the minister responsible for the prison service to the Corradino Correctional Facility uncovered a practice of warders leaving their posts early to go home. This has led to the resignation of the director...
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Residency scheme cautiously welcomed
The High Net Worth Individuals scheme that came in force in September 2011 was always controversial because many thought the Government had gone one step too far to curb abuse of the old system. They believed that, through the onerous conditions...
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When rules go out the window
There were fears before the election that Labour would not treat the environment with nearly as much respect as the outgoing government did in the past few years (which were preceded by rampant development). The evolving situation at the Malta...
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New Police Commissioner, new agenda
Peter Paul Zammit, a legal procurator who had formerly served in the Police Force for 25 years, has taken over as Police Commissioner from John Rizzo, who will continue to serve as head of the Civil Protection Department. Mr Rizzo can look back on...
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Enemalta debt is daunting challenge
When Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi told Parliament that Enemalta’s debt exceeded €800 million, no one was really surprised by the extent of the problem facing the energy utility and the bigger economy. Arguably, the management of this debt poses one...
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Confusion over new identity e-cards
At the end of last year, the Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs published a number of press advertisements and notices announcing the changes which would take effect from the new year in replacing...
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Continuity and consensus in foreign policy
Foreign Minister George Vella’s pledge that this country’s foreign policy will be based on continuity is, of course, to be welcomed. Addressing ambassadors accredited to Malta recently, Dr Vella said there would be no great policy shake-ups and...
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What is happening at ARMS?
ARMS has been giving headaches to the Administration and the consumer ever since it took over the management of the customer care and billing functions of Enemalta and the Water Services Corporation. But the situation now seems to have deteriorated...
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