Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1193631
6 JAMES DEBONO EVER since the panama revela- tions in 2016 good governance was relegated from Labour's agenda in what represented a sharp departure from its pre 2013 promise of a second re- public based on meritocracy. Upon election, Labour did honour its pledge to remove pre- scription for corruption cases and to introduce party financing rules. And in an indication that the ethical bar had been raised, ministers Emmanuel Mallia and Michael Falzon were forced to resign after falling short of ethi- cal norms. The lowering of the bar But the ethical bar was low- ered to new depths following Muscat's incomprehensible de- cision to retain Konrad Mizzi in his cabinet and Keith Schembri as chief of staff after they were exposed for owning secret com- panies in Panama. In the 2017 general election campaign "good governance" was the central plank of the Na- tionalist opposition in its bid to unseat Muscat who prided him- self on economic success and increased prosperity. Crippled by a credibility deficit over its own record on govern- ance issues while in office before 2013 and the focus on Egrant which over shadowed more evi- dence based allegations against Schembri, the opposition was trounced and both Schembri and Mizzi were reappointed in their respective roles after the election. Muscat's reaction to the Daph- ne Project's revelations linking 17 Black to his chief of staff's panama company in April 2018, was to call for a mass meeting in Triton square. This suggests a familiar pattern in which elec- tion results, poll ratings and large crowds are repeatedly used to absolve corruption. Neither did Muscat show any will to grab the bull by its horn, when in November 2018, it was re- vealed that Yorgen Fenech was the owner of 17 Black. By then Muscat was also aware that Fenech was involved in the as- sassination of Caruana Galizia. On the other hand the election result was a knock out blow for the opposition. Even in the PN there was a growing realisation that the corruption issue was not a vote winner and party members proceeded to elect Adrian Delia, despite reports that a Barclays account in Jersey owned by Delia could have been associated with a Soho prostitu- tion racket and used to launder illicit gains. The depreciation of the Mus- cat brand But in a dramatic change of fortunes it is the Labour party, similar to the PN in 2017, now finds itself choosing a new leader. And while Busuttil was blamed for giving too much im- portance to the corruption is- sue, Muscat is now blamed for not taking action on Panama- gate three years ago. And once again it will be party members who will be making the choice in a contest where the influence of the former lead- er has been curtailed by their respective failures; in Busuttil's case the devastating election result which left the PN with even less seats than before and in Muscat's case his disgraceful exit following the arrest of Yor- gen Fenech and the implication that his chief of staff may have obstructed the course of justice. For court testimony by par- doned middle-man Melvin Theuma that Yorgen Fenech was regularly briefed on the progress of the murder in- vestigation allegedly by Keith Schembri himself, suggests that Muscat was either outsmarted and used by his 'chief of staff' or was to some degree complicit in the obstruction of justice. Chris Fearne's declaration in an interview that he could not vouch for anyone's innocence (including that of Muscat) in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia or its cover-up speaks volumes on the depreciation of the Muscat brand. Still Muscat's refusal to bow down in disgrace by staying on as Prime Minister till the elec- tion of a new Labour leader in January, and his eagerness to seek the adulation of the crowds still raise the question on whether he will still has a say on his succession. A sober leader for sombre times? One thing is certain. Labour members will not have a Muscat loyalist on the menu. Although both served under Muscat, one as deputy Prime Minister and the other as his consultant, both are now promising change and are critical with regards to the party's track record on rule of law issues. Sure enough both face a cred- ibility deficit in view of Labour's poor record in office. Fearne will also be questioned for not voting against Mizzi in a no-confidence vote presented by the opposi- tion in 2016. Neither was Abela particularly vocal on the issue before the 2017 election, which saw him elected to parliament. Yet both candidates have dis- tanced themselves from Keith Schembri. Abela was reported to have angrily addressed the Prime Minister during an emergency Cabinet meeting that discussed the possibility of a pardon for Yorgen Fenech, telling him "Dak il-kurnut fottik (that cuck- old fucked you)", with reference to Schembri. He also distin- guished himself by rejecting what he described as a "diaboli- cal pact" which would have seen Fearne elected without a contest on the understanding that Ab- ela and Transport Minister Ian Borg would have been elected deputy leaders. On his part PL leadership con- tender and deputy PM Chris Fearne was widely recognised even by the opposition as an honest politician. As Minister he had distanced himself from the Vitals privatisation by im- mediately asking for an investi- gation by the Auditor General. He is now presenting him- self as the 'no-nonsense' leader who will tackle institutional shortcomings and has taken the extra mile of presenting com- mitments which include con- vening a national convention to reform the institutions and the approval by a two thirds major- ity of the new police commis- sioner and attorney general by a two thirds majority, ironically a proposal first made by civil soci- maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 18 DECEMBER 2019 NEWS ANALYSIS Letter of Intention The Director, Mr. Rahman Muhammad Habibur of ANAYA LIMITED., declares their intention for the company to register for an Employment Agency licence in accordance to article 23 of the Employment and Training Services Act, 1990 (Act XXVIII of 1990). The activities proposed to be carried out are the following: 1) Recruitment Consultancy 2) Interviewing, selection and placements of candidates in employment 3) Recruitment of persons from abroad to employment in Malta or in an EU member state 4) Recruitment of persons in Malta for employment in Malta or in an EU member state 5) Advertising of the filling of vacancies 6) Keeping a register of applicants for employment Official Registered Office Address: 19, Triq il-Kappella, San Gwann, SGN 1345, Malta The office address of the premises at which the employment agency or employment business is to be carried out: 19, Triq il-Kappella, San Gwann, SGN 1345, Malta Company Registration Number: C93420 RAICO Ltd is an established electrical and mechanical contracting company. Due to the continuous growth we are seeking to employ: Assistant Electrician, Plumber & Labourer to join our growing team. Requirements - Previous experience within the sector is a must - Determined and wiling to learn Interested candidates are required to send their CV to info@raico.com.mt Raising the bar: the next Labour members will be choosing their next party leader in an election overshadowed by the Caruana Galizia assassination which exposed the blurred lines between government, big business and organised crime. Will party members choose the leader with the greatest commitment against corruption, or will they go for the one with the charisma? Chris Fearne, Joseph Muscat and Robert Abela