I have followed closely the tenor of the Prime Minister’s desire to stamp out of corruption. The need for Malta to do so cries to high heaven. May God hold him bythe hand.

I wonder whether there is any experience to beat mine in facing situations which are so eloquent in their silence – created by senior government officials, with or without ministerial knowledge; for this is a part of a set and needs attention at a national level.

I was blatantly told by a high level official that if the deal I was after had a chance to go through, I had to accept a clause in virtue of which I would have to renounce to all the laws of Malta in the matter, even if the contract is expressly contrary to what the law says. And that I could not touch the property without government permission for all purposes of law.

To me the move was repellent, with an invitation in its shade, to make sure I would lose interest in the case, and this I did. It was evident that the official did not know the details of the case and, not remotely, the law, each clause harbouring impossibilia.

When I contacted the minister, it was evident he knew nothing about it and had left matters in the hands of others. This is unfortunately a perfect scenario for the mice to play when the cat is away.

But national propriety is not beyond prayer. Nelson-like, together with and including the authorities, Malta expects every man to do his duty.