Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1530039
BEARS are known to love hon- ey primarily because it is a rich source of carbohydrates, which provide them with a quick energy boost. This has given rise to many sto- ries and cartoons mainly aimed at children but certain sectors of our government seem to give out money liberally, practising hon- eypot politics. It is obvious that wherever there is a honeypot, the chances of wrongdoing increase. We are only human after all. Former minister Clayton Barto- lo had two such honeypots under his brief – the Malta Film Com- mission and that sector of the Malta Tourist Authority (MTA) known as Product Development and Events. The idea of this MTA division is to decide on what events are to be subsidised with the aim of attract- ing people to Malta. This particu- lar MTA sector has millions of eu- ros at its disposal and any shrewd businessman would obviously consider it a honeypot. The story-line goes somewhat like this. Some guy proposes a concert with world-famous enter- tainers taking part. Since such an event is considered as one that at- tracts foreigners to visit Malta, the MTA sponsors the event. No one has ever checked wheth- er the subsidy handed over by the MTA was worth it. No check is made on how many tourists an event has attracted. What is sure is that the guy who organises the event ends up with a nice profit which would have been impossi- ble without the MTA subsidy. The second scandal involv- ing the wife of Clayton Bartolo is linked to MTA's 'product de- velopment' techniques. Valerio Agnoli was hired by the MTA to promote cycling tourism and for- malised a €20,000 annual agree- ment in 2023. Amanda Muscat began working for an Agnoli-linked company in 2023, 18 months after leaving her unjustified ministry consultant role, and ended the assignment in December. Investigators believe that pay- ments given to Amanda Muscat might be tied to an MTA-related kickback. Clayton Bartolo's wife received tens of thousands of euros from a private company, linked to Valerio Agnoli over a six-month period. Has anyone heard of people coming to Malta to enjoy their sport - cycling? Many in their right senses do not believe that Malta can attract cyclists to prac- tise their favourite sport here. But the MTA apparently does and has spent money trying to attract cy- clists to come to Malta. This is where MTA's 'product development' becomes a crazy ex- cuse for it to hand over money. Honeypot politics, for sure. HSBC saga not yet over The other Saturday I was gob- smacked when reading that the APS-HSBC deal was still an op- tion, according to an article writ- ten by Ivan Grixti and published by The Times. What left me even more confounded was the writer's statement that with the 'little to no banking competences' of its own- ers, 'APS stands to lose its banking licence.' This is the sort of danger- ous speculation that a responsible person should avoid. Grixti, a senior lecturer in finan- cial accounting at the University, apparently mixed up the com- petences of the Maltese Diocese with those of the serious board the Church appointed to run APS. The Sunday Times then pub- lished a story quoting what the Archbishop had said on the APS-HSBC deal when address- ing the Diocesan Assembly in Birkirkara the previous Friday. The Archbishop declared that contrary to what many have sug- gested, the possibility of APS Bank acquiring HSBC Malta is 'far from being a done deal,' adding that: 'Any decision taken will be based on facts, not speculation'. On that occasion, the Archbish- op called for 'sincere dialogue' on- ly after all necessary information is officially available, ensuring any decision reflects the principles of ethical and responsible steward- ship. While the Church has progres- sively reduced its shareholding, it continues to play a role in the bank's management and direc- tion, the Archbishop was reported as saying 'APS has operated ethi- cally and without controversy for 50 years.' Mgr. Scicluna said that the arch- diocese has always acted pru- dently in its management of APS, including promoting its ethical banking reputation and reducing its influence over the bank with- out undermining its investment. The Archbishop highlighted the Church's unique responsibility to society, warning that if the church were to abandon its charitable mission in favour of profit-driven enterprises, it would risk losing its relevance and failing its role to the people of God. He also referred to the Arch- diocese's legal obligation, as the bank's largest shareholder, to re- frain from making comments that could influence the financial mar- ket. Rather too late, I would say. Suddenly, on Thursday morn- ing, HSBC issued a company announcement saying that a 'number' of bidders have shown interest in acquiring HSBC Hold- ings' indirect 70% shareholding in its Malta bank. It did not reveal the identity of the interested par- ties and how many there might be. HSBC Bank Malta said it would be convening an extraordinary general meeting to obtain share- holder approval to allow inter- ested parties to conduct due diligence checks and take negoti- ations to the next level. HSBC stressed that 'no decisions have been made' and that its par- ent company, HSBC Continental Europe, 'continues to consider a full range of options'. The only thing that is sure about this controversy is that HSBC wants to leave Malta.nsored Ar- ticles MCAST strike MCAST students on Wednes- day held a protest in support of lecturers, as talks for an agree- ment with the government have still not been concluded. The protestors blocked Triq id-Difiza Civili where the MCAST Mosta Campus is situated and organised a carcade from Qormi to Paola culminating in a larger protest on the college campus in Paola. The organisers of the event stat- ed that students at MCAST are 'currently experiencing a pro- found sense of frustration and uncertainty due to ongoing indus- trial action by the Malta Union of Teachers'. The Union that ordered the in- dustrial action might feel justified in taking industrial action but this action has hit the students more than it has hit the education au- thorities themselves who are their employers. I think this is unfair on MCAST students and while I respect the MUT, I cannot condone an indus- trial action that has hit students so badly, even though the students support their lecturers. Surely, MUT can think of in- dustrial action without making students suffer so much for the consequences. 3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 DECEMBER 2024 OPINION Honeypot politics micfal45@gmail.com Michael Falzon Clayton Bartolo Many in their right senses do not believe that Malta can attract cyclists to practise their favourite sport here. But the MTA apparently does and has spent money trying to attract cyclists to come to Malta.