Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1011650
27 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 AUGUST 2018 "DURING the (2017) electoral campaign, the Nationalist Par- ty's main message was against corruption, stating that in a normal European democracy the institutions would long have taken action against those involved in Panama Papers. The independent media also focused very much on govern- ance, in what turned out to be one of the most controversial general elections in recent Maltese political history. There were high expectations that more information would be published on Egrant, but this did not materialise. "Yet remarkably, Labour won comfortably. The Egrant politi- cal liability was turned into an asset, with Labour's narrative of 'where's the proof?' becoming stronger and stronger. Whereas Keith Schemer and Konrad Mize's involvement in Panama Papers was crystal clear, the ownership of Errant was subject to debate. An example of the post-truth society, if Malta ever needed one. "Surely, Egrant alone cannot explain Labour's electoral victo- ry. But it does show that govern- ance and corruption, important as they are, are not necessarily the most important issues for certain electorates, such as that of Southern European Malta. An immediate question comes to mind: How can a political party that believes in transparency and good governance reconcile this with the main aspirations of the electorate? This is surely a ques- tion that Malta's Opposition will have to face in the immediate future." The text above is from my ar- ticle 'Panama Papers and Mal- ta', published in the European Atlas of Democratic Deficit 2017 (http://www.liberalforum. eu/en/events/reports/2017/ european-atlas-of-democratic- deficit.html) From day one, Egrant was based on allegation, whereas the existence of the companies Hearnville and Tillgate were based on admission of owner- ship by Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi. Malta eagerly awaits the outcome of upcom- ing inquires on the matter. True, the Egrant allegations were too strong to dismiss, and one should also keep in mind that when the anti-corruption protests started the Egrant story had not yet erupted. The ques- tion is whether Egrant should have then been given equivalent importance to Hearnville and Tillgate. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, some of the findings of Aaron Bugeja's inquiry – such as the forged signatures and the CCTV footage on the Pilatus Bank chairman are very difficult to ignore. Unlike Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri's involvement in Panama papers, no one has admitted he/she owns Egrant. The inquiry proved that no proof of ownership has been found yet and that allegations to date have not been proven. So, it raises more questions... like who falsified the signatures and why? What can Nexia BT tell us about the ownership of Egrant? Prime Minister Joseph Muscat still has a lot to answer for, particularly on the involve- ment of Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi in the Panama Papers scandal, and for his chief of staff owning a bank account in Pilatus Bank. I feel that Muscat probably called the enquiry on Egrant as he knew legal proof would nev- er come out – he consequently rode the political wave through the 2017 general election which his party won convincingly. On the other hand, Hearnville and Tillgate had proof but Labour's strong majority and the power of Schembri and Mizzi in the triumvirate made them un- touchable, as they are not being held to the same standards that Joseph Muscat held for himself. As for future instances of cor- ruption, I will keep being active for justice and truth with my colleagues. But I also believe that Egrant has taught a lesson to politi- cians, activists and journalists to double-check before crusad- ing on an issue. I also subscribe to the view that the Nationalist Opposi- tion should articulate inclusive, non-patronising discourse that focuses on the myriad of everyday issues which people experience and which are in synch with party core beliefs such as solidarity, dignity and subsidiarity. After Egrant… a lesson to be learnt Ralph Cassar is AD Secretary General and a local councillor Egrant has taught a lesson to politicians, activists and journalists to double- check before crusading on an issue Michael Briguglio Michael Briguglio is a local councillor (PN) and a candidate for the European elections Ralph Cassar Greed begets sludge As the Prime Minister was in Japan touring a tuna auction, the very same industry which supplies tuna to these auctions gifted the Marsaskala commu- nity with a stinking sludge. Sliema was not spared the stink either. Maltatoday's vide- oclip shows how our sea, where hundreds of Skalin and loads of others from all over our huge country swim and relax when they are not skiing on our glori- ous mountains. Oops! I must have hit my head hard. The sea is practically the only huge and really open space we have. And yet, here is another stark reminder of where the economy – or rather a skewed vision of what the economy should be – trumps everything else, including our quality of life. Because we're supposed to work, work and work, and then stay inside until it's time to go to work again. But our govern- ments, past and present prefer to prop up greed. And greed knows no limits. The issue is that of limits. What are the limits to an in- dustry which uses our common resources and public spaces? If tuna farms bring in so many millions to the operators (I wonder what the wages for their workers are, but anyway), should the state allow them to double that amount, making more millions but in the mean- time ruining the swimming season for thousands of people? Is there a price attached to letting people enjoy their free time? What is the price of disrupting healthy activities? What is the price of ruining sport activities, like waterpolo, as has actually happened in Marsaskala? But for the neoliberal mind-set the economy regulates itself, the 'right' of the millionaire to make a couple of millions more while paying the minimum wage is sacrosanct, and 'trickle- down' rules. The problem is that it is really a tiny trickle! While Konrad Mizzi is busy posting ridiculous videos on Facebook probably so that when we see how much sand he's dredging at Balluta we'll forget about his Panama and New Zealand companies and trusts, and while Jose Her- rera together with Ian Borg are busy making space for more cars in our streets, big business are busy raking in the millions, while ruining our seas and put- ting the small artisanal fisher- men out of business. It is also a huge failure of our governments who have neglected time and again their main and most important duty: protecting and safeguarding the common good. Economic planning was, and presumably still is, looked down upon, even though we have am- ple proof that the laissez-faire attitude to the economy suits the few, while all others have to make do with the scraps or in this case give up their leisure activities. The public good has to give way because it suits the few. In the meantime a government minister realises that's some- thing amiss. Wakey, wakey! For our own sake, for the sake of future generations we must discuss and accept that yes, there are limits to so called 'growth'. Because when our quality of life is threatened, when wages are what they are, it isn't really 'growth' for the many – is it? Is there a price attached to letting people enjoy their free time? What is the price of disrupting healthy activities?