The truth will prevail

Any government, which for its own sake and ratings is ready to hide the truth from its people, would be ready to do whatever it takes to hold on to power.

As the saying goes, honesty is the best policy. In public administration, honesty is a basic requisite for transparency and accountability. Both are fundamental values to secure good governance and a healthy democracy.

Although the current administration, prior to the last election, solemnly pledged that honesty and transparency will be a hallmark of its tenure, it seems these two values turned out to be its Achilles heel. Midway through its tenure, the current administration has failed to be honest and transparent on several instances.

On various occasions the Labour government did not ‘come clean’. It failed to publish and openly explain its decisions and agreements. In the distant past, former Labour governments used to say that such information was not in the national interest – mhux fl-interess tal-poplu! Now, under the pretext of commercial sensitivity or some other technicality, it fails to reveal what Joe Public needs to know.

It seems that the prospect of coming out and putting its cards on the table is causing the government a high level of anxiety and insecurity. The failure to publish the agreements with Electrogas, with the new public transport provider, with Henley and Partners and with the Jordanian developer regarding Żonqor – just some examples from among many – cannot be ignored or brushed away as insignificant. Old habits die hard, some may point out.

The latest issue deals with national security.This needs to be contextualised within the high number of people, mostly Libyans, being granted ‘residential’ status and the alleged abuse by Joe Sammut, former Labour candidate and treasurer, in recommending their visas. Both issues raise pertinent questions that require honest and transparent answers.

We are not dealing with a frivolous issue but the justified concern of many over our national security. Failing to do so will jeopardise the sense of security and tranquillity that we, as a nation, have been accustomed to for years. Failing to come out clean will only serve to bolster the extreme right in their ‘crusade’ to turn us into a paranoid sick nation in which every non-Maltese or non-EU person will be looked at as an ‘invader’ who is ready to strike.

During a meeting, called by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, rather than by the Prime Minister as the custodian of our national security, it was revealed that in 2013 and 2014 a total of 37,486 and 16,333 visas were issued respectively. A high number of such visas were ‘recommended’ by Sammut. Now, it transpires that such visas were allegedly obtained illegally through false declarations.

Busuttil rightly demanded that an independent inquiry be held with urgency and the findings made public. Our Prime Minster declined the request. He failed to come clean with the nation. Busuttil’s request was more pertinent in view that Sammut could possibly not have been working alone. This was not a one-man show. Was there anyone assisting Sammut? Which institutions have closed an eye and possibly even collaborated? Is this a case of institutionalised corruption?

Busuttil requested that such irregular visas, being based on false declarations, should be revoked. Once more our Prime Minister declined. A few days after, the government issued a tailored-made residential scheme. Non-EU nationals can now apply to obtain residential permits if they buy or rent high-end property. Once more the government preferred money over principles. It opted to ‘regularise’ their illegal positions instead.

The government is being inconsistent and dishonest both with those who seek refugee here and considered ‘illegal immigrants’, and with the Maltese themselves. If the poor refuge seekers are considered ‘illegal’ because their point of entry was through illegal channels, the rich Libyans obtained their visas through illegal channels too. What is illegal for the goose should not be legal for the gander!

The government is being dishonest with us Maltese too. If a Maltese citizen receives social assistance and declares false information, he is rightfully disqualified. A Maltese businessman caught not declaring all his income or VAT returns will receive either a hefty fine and/or a possible jail term. Two weights and two measures?

I would like to come clean myself. I don’t find myself ‘threatened’ or insecure by having a neighbour with a different lifestyle, religion, skin colour or dress code. I am aware of all the trappings that such differences might involve.

My only concern is of having an elected government which on various accounts does not respect my right to know the truth. Any government, which for its own sake and ratings is ready to hide the truth from its people, would be ready to do whatever it takes to hold on to power. My appeal to the government is to come clean and let the truth prevail.

(This article was published on Times of Malta – 3 October, 2015)