Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1503864
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 JULY 2023 OPINION OPINION THE recent arrest of a beefy guy who openly bragged about his wealth on social media seems symptomatic of an entrenched belief that some people have in relation to what constitutes suc- cess in Maltese society. Mohamed Ali Ahmed El- mushraty's nickname of 'Lilu King' – proudly displayed on the number plate of his Range Rover despite the car not being registered in his name – is also indicative of how a flagrant dis- regard of the law might be one of the means by which you can become worthy of the Maltese epithet Il-King. The fact that Elmushraty was charged with money launder- ing, tax evasion and participa- tion in organised crime after having been previously con- victed of an offence is discon- certing. It only goes to show how lax the courts have be- come in deterring those most tempted to relapse into crimi- nal behaviour. If such personifications of the 'I don't give a f*ck about the law' attitude are allowed to continue roaming the streets, persist with criminal activities and openly boast about their proceeds, then we are clearly in trouble as a country. Many Maltese citizens com- menting on this news story im- mediately homed in on the fact that the accused is a foreigner. Calls to dispatch Elmushraty and his accomplices back to their country were numerous. However, by adding xenopho- bia to the mix, one only manag- es to undermine the argument that a blatant disregard for the law is unacceptable. Let us not forget that in the same week as Elmushraty's ar- raignment, we also read about how a Maltese family brazenly continue to occupy the Grade-1 scheduled Fort Binġemma after being served an eviction order in 2009. While on social media the squatters have uploaded photos of themselves posing in their illegally construct- ed swimming pool, the Lands Minister's weak excuse for not having yet evicted them is that he fears they will end up on the street. How can we expect such people to refrain from behav- ing unlawfully when they are given the minister's blessing? What we must also not ig- nore is the fact that Elmushra- ty's attitude towards success is commonly embraced by a sig- nificant proportion of the Mal- tese population. While not all of them might be engaging in bullying tactics and fraud, the coveting of ostentatious signs of wealth has become part of their outlook on life. The display of what they na- ively believe to equate to suc- cess has taken over their real and digital lives. They have made it their Mammon and mistakenly think they are enti- tled to everyone's respect in the process. What complete fools! It has become a cliché amongst certain people that in order for you to earn the adu- lation of your peers, you need to post photos and reels in which you are wearing design- er brands, lounging by the pool of a kitschy hotel, and posing inside a pimped-up BMW or Mercedes. The bigger the log- os, the more decadent the ven- ue and the more garish the car, the more patently clear it is you are successful. If you are literate enough to add a platitude to your posts, then your followers can derive some wisdom. Elmushraty was particularly keen on this. For instance, he captioned one of his many macho and vulgar displays of wealth with: "It's a different type of feeling when you work hard for your own sh*t." These status symbols have become a means by which you tell both your real-life ac- quaintances and social media followers that you have made it. If you are also able to flaunt a toned body, even better. You have it all! Or maybe not. It is utterly ridiculous that this is what some people are willing to do to be recognised as successful in contemporary Maltese society. It was almost laughable that Elmushraty was described in the media as an entrepreneur and influencer if not for the fact that twats like him have a pernicious influence on the aspirations of those young people who follow their luxury lifestyle, as ill-gotten the gains might be. Daniel Xerri is an educator Daniel Xerri Look how successful I am! If such personifications of the 'I don't give a f*ck about the law' attitude are allowed to continue roaming the streets, persist with criminal activities and openly boast about their proceeds, then we are clearly in trouble as a country Mohamed Ali Ahmed Elmushraty - 'Lilu King'