words in progress
The real issue is, why is he speaking out only now, that he has been given the boot by the electorate?
Why didn’t he speak up when he was a Minister?
And while we’re on the subject, why didn’t he speak up against the unfettered corruption and impunity during Joseph Muscat’s tenure?
There can be no better example of a clear-cut case in which the magistrate should recuse herself than that of Magistrate Lia in the case bought before the Courts by Repubblika. Her father-in-law has a direct or indirect material interest in the case, making her a potential beneficiary. Magistrate Lia also publicly endorsed the Labour party led by Joseph Muscat during an election campaign trail. Her refusal to recuse herself is the perfect example on how to ensure that justice is not done or not seen to be done.
There’s a war of attrition going on. A handful of people versus a large mob that wields the power of the state to protect its own and their interests. Yet though the battle is protracted, and we are fighting an enemy far larger than us, victory is in sight.
Given the manifest lack of transparency in the relationship between Balzan, a media house owner, and the government, I find it hard to understand why Keith Schembri’s 1a.m. buddy and government propogandist Saviour Balzan has taken Malta’s dismal rating on the RSF World Press Freedom Index (Malta’s rating this year is the worst it has ever been.) so very, badly.
This Commissioner has already proven his unconditional allegiance to the Labour government in his short time as Standards Czar. No wonder Labour wanted him as Commissioner at all costs and no other. Expect more of the same shameful behaviour from him.
It is not an exaggeration to say that today in Malta, there are a handful of heroes without capes who risk their life on a daily basis. I am thinking of people in civil society organisations, especially their leaders, who stand up to corruption and crime. I am thinking of people in the media who hold power to account.
andredelicata 