I hope Roberts Viksne does not mind this but I am posting this documentary that he made as part of his course in video production at the University of Malta. Great work Roberts and thank you for bringing all this information together and presenting it in such a clear and objective manner. For the love of football.
It (supposedly) takes quite some time to draft a legal notice and amendments to the Citizenship Act setting up a scheme to sell citizenship – Identity Malta. I am sure that somebody in the Taghna Lkoll government did not hit upon this halfwit idea while perusing through a September edition of the Economist. (Click here: If Austria and Cyprus can do it then why can’t we?). The Draft Legal Notice in question has already been uploaded through the Running Commentary network and we will oblige by adding a link here (out of courtesy of course). So what could have prompted Muscat and his crew to decide that it is a good idea to start selling the Maltese passport like it was some gourmet pastizz for the rich and famous?
The gist of the Economist article linked above could already point you in the right direction as to what kind of clients one can expect when one sets up shop in the market for readily available EU documents (just add cash).
“One category of applicants consists of rich people from emerging economies seeking convenience and security. Many are Chinese, though since the Arab spring demand is growing from the Middle East. A second is made up of citizens of rich countries who wish to disguise their origins when visiting dangerous places.” – Selling citizenship, Papers Please (The Economist, 28th September 2013).
We’ve all heard of people like Edward Snowden, Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning. That kind of client would not really be in the market for an EU passport that comes tied so easily with national obligations such as the European Arrest Warrant. No sir. The market is out there for people who are rich enough to want to get a foothold into the EU – an EU passport that allows them to roam around the continent and act as EU nationals. The nouveau riches of this world – from Moscow to Guangdong would jump at the opportunity of being considered an EU citizen and this for what they would consider a handful of pennies.
So while we already know that our government is willing to sell a hold in our energy company for a pittance (yep, two Gareth Bales remember) and that the real push behind that memorandum of misunderstanding is the foothold that a Chinese company gets in the European market (see That China Connection) we now discover that the prostitution of national assets does not stop there. This latest move must not only be put in the light of recent events though – it jars even when you look at it from a wider picture and here are a few conclusions that this blog has reached:
1) An EU passport is a good thing to have – part I
For a party that spends most of its time denigrating the EU and speaking of it in the third person plural while emphasising the “Us” vs “them” scenarios this is one hell of a giant step: it is recognising the value of having an EU passport. It actually put a price on it. 650,000 euros and Joe’s your uncle. Would the Labour party have recognised the worth of EU citizenship a decade ago we’d surely be in a much better place – there would be so many more Maltese voters who are not afflicted by a sudden bout of Tourette’s whenever the good old continental grouping is mentioned.
2) An EU passport is a good thing to have – part II
So, having sussed out that there is something advantageous about owning a passe par tout l’EU thingy in hand what do the great thinkers in the Taghna Lkoll fold do? They opt to debase it and sell it to people with cash searching for a convenient base. Mind you it’s not like we did not have similar schemes aimed at attracting fat ducks before – we never gave them a passport though. Even our permanent resident scheme ran into quite a bit of controversy (as did the High Net Worth Individual scheme). Those schemes had an added value that the amount that a person seeking residence needed to invest went to a property owner in Malta – not as a cash payment to the government of Malta. So who are we really in the market for? you’d have to be blind, deaf and dumb not to see this one coming. Għami iżraq as we say in the vernacular.
3) Suddenly we’re not so full up and outnumbered
Not that this probably matters in the Taghna Lkoll Cosmic View of things but here have a government that has been weeping at every available opportunity that our country cannot deal with the influx of more immigrants that we are inundated and that we are practically the victims and nobody will help us. That same government is now setting up shop selling citizenship, yes, selling citizenship to anyone who can afford it. I thought that the Italian government’s token move of awarding citizenship posthumously to the victims of the Lampedusa tragedy was tragicomic but this… well this one takes the cake. There is no shame, no pride either in this Taghna Lkoll government. The way it flings itself from one inconsistency to another while barking at whoever criticises it with feeble excuses based on illogical fallacies is beyond pathetic.
4) Taghna Lkoll?
I saved the best for last. This scheme is yet another dagger in the whole Taghna Lkoll farce. Let us imagine that Malta was one big cake (I know that between iced buns and free for alls Taghna Lkollytes will quickly take to the metaphor) and that Joseph Muscat’s hullabaloo before the election was all about how this cake was for all of us to share rightly and equitably. Let us think for one minute how, always basing ourselves on Labour’s protestations before the election, this cake was half-baked and barely had enough to provide for us all. What has our prime confectioner gone and done? Well, while the cake has not got any larger he has decided to invite guests over to stay and join la grande abbuffata. Yes sir. It’s officially Tagħhom Ukoll now without so much as a bye your leave. But they are rich I hear you say… they pay money…. sure and they will be queuing for those free health services, those free allowances and buying the same property to which every other Maltese national is entitled.
Small ideas for small minds. I guess that really sums it up.
UPDATE
Early feedback to this post shows that there might be more to it than just a Taghna Lkoll ploy. Henley, the firm mentioned in the Economist report might have an interest that goes further back than March of this year.
F**k “tu quoque“, Muscat has resorted to an all new tactic straight out of the immense book of playground logic. The idea of claiming that whatever bad his party in government was doing had already been done by the nationalist party in government was beginning to run thin. So just before “talk to the hand ‘coz the face ain’t listening” and “sticks and stones won’t break my bones” he has taken up another of the playground greats: “I’m not playing”. This, mind you, from a man who sits as the Prime Minister of a supposèd democratic republic.
The latest hissy fit comes in the context of RefaloGate. Interviewed by the Times Muscat stated categorically that as far as he was concerned the case was closed. Muscat is obviously labouring under the illusion that quod Muscat dixit veritatis habet rigorem – anything that he says is automatically true or right because he says it. So he fobs off the journalist de tour by telling him (1) Refalo acted in accordance with Gozo Channel policy, (2) therefore for Joseph Muscat the case is closed.
Thankfully the Times does not stop there. It does point out that “Speaking to Times of Malta on condition of anonymity, various Gozo Channel employees denied such a policy existed. In practice, it always used to send one of its ferries relieved from the shuttle service empty to dock for the night at Mġarr.”
Somehow the contrasting versions, the foot shuffling and the inability of Anton Refalo to give a clear answer to any question make me more inclined to believe the anonymous Gozo Channel employees. As for Muscat, his latest tactic reminds me of the kid at school who brought the ball for footie during the break. The moment his side was losing or the moment he contested a hot decision he would pick the ball place it under his arms and walk off huffing and puffing. “The game is over”.
Sadly for Muscat this is not a playground and politics is not about his personal football. The case is far from closed, it remains an open sore that will continue to fester and remind the people that “Taghna Lkoll” was nothing but words…. small ideas for small people.
Yesterdays Indy had an article about an “Arriva-like” bus that caught fire in the Land Hesse in Germany. It got me thinking a little about these Mercedes Citaro buses and all the problems they have faced: not just in Malta but also in the UK and Germany to mention but a few. You may probably have heard of the Boeing Dreamliner’s issues (the 787) that forced most of the newly launched planes to be grounded. That is the way to go normally – it’s not the first time we have heard of a major car company calling back a particular model due to its defective nature being dangerous to users.
So why does the Mercedes-Citaro model (not sure if more specification is needed here) not get called back too? The more we hear about buses catching fire or stalling the more I wonder whether we are not all too eager to rush to blame the planning and the purchasing (which was atrocious of course) and whether we forget that there is a manufacturer that should to a certain extent be made responsible for certain shortcomings.
In other words while the planning and introduction of the Arriva service was definitely just a few steps short of a cosmic failure this should not overshadow the fact that the problem with these buses (aside from the ridiculous idea of putting behemoths on Malta’s tiny roads) is also something technical that should be traced back to the maker.
That, if nothing else, should justify the reasonable grounding of a large part of Arriva’s fleet until a solution to these spontaneous combustions is found.
In this latest round up of commentaries on recent events J’accuse takes a look at a number of issues that have been hot in the past week. Unfortunately due to other commitments posting on this blog has not been as regular as I would have hoped. Here then is a look at why J’accuse finds that this Labour government is becoming more and more of an embarrassment to democracy. Let’s see a few of the last weeks’ events:
I. Doublespeak
Once again I join other observers who have by now noticed that in dealing with the press and media this government opts for half-truths or prevarication.
Joseph Muscat’s replies about Air Malta’s restructuring – a boomerang deviated onto Tonio Fenech’s lap in what Muscat believes to be a sly move – is just one example of our government still thinking in opposition mode. In this case we have a clear indicator that this Labour government is either unaware of, or unwilling to take on, the Responsibilities of Government (my capitals). So what if Tonio Fenech or whoever else had appointed a team for Air Malta’s restructuring? Is it not the responsibility of this government to look into the plans and see whether (a) it agrees with them and therefore gives them its go-ahead, or (b) any of these plans need re-directing in the sense of vision and goals.
Muscat prefers to play the three monkeys with the whole business – this is a typical corollary of his behaviour when in opposition. It clearly demonstrates that he has no clue about alternatives (or as he would call them “roadmaps”) and so prefers to keep the opposition-hat on just in case the restructuring is a failure: in which case he will obviously blame the previous government. But that is not the business of government is it? The chain of responsibility necessitates a different type of answer – if, for example, Air Malta’s plans include a possibility of privatisation you’d expect the Prime Minister to know.
It’s not just Muscat. Manuel Mallia has chimed in with Muscat and introduced a new term in Maltese language “inveritiera“. What’s that exactly? Are they trying to be politically correct about the word “lie”? Mallia’s remit is quite the mess right now and the performance of the (outgoing) Brigadier in an interview about his resignation and future left much to be desired. Another one having difficultes coping with double speak is Konrad Mizzi. The way he screened the questions from journalists about his wife’s appointment is absolute balderdash. The hot potato is thrown here and there while nobody (NOBODY) in the Labour government assumes responsibility.
If this were not the party that had busted everyone’s balls whinging about political responsibility when it was in opposition we’d not be so interested in this so very sudden volte-face.
II: Bad Company
The topic of the John Dalli and Shiv Nair appointments are being dealt with perfectly well on Daphne Caruana Galizia’s blog. There’s no denying that when the resources available to that blog are put to good news it can trump any amount of excuses for journalism that our decrepit excuse for a fourth estate has become. Glaringly Shiv Nair’s closeness to the Labour government (and his evident hand in deals from China to North Africa) goes directly against Joseph Muscat’s 15 points to combat corruption when in government. Nair’s wheeling and dealing may be convenient for the likes of the dupes that populate our government benches – at least they may SEEM like to have a plan – but in partnering with the devil to fulfil their hapless electoral promises they are only (slightly) postponing the inevitable implosion.
Whether one is black listed by the World Bank or whether his recent dealings raise huge question marks (from Bahamas to OLAF) the fact of the matter remains that this government has no qualms dealing with persons who cause many an eyebrow to be raised. Worse still is the unshamefaced approach with which such cavorting takes place – and the replies that are given in response to any questions are preposterously bereft of any semblance of accountability.
It is becoming tougher and tougher for this government to speak of any form of accountability. Take Anton Refalo who still got away with his incredible declaration of assets. His performance in the Gozo channel Call-Back Saga would suffice to get him the boot in any other government worth its name. Not this one of course. (The Sunday Times is the latest to call for his resignation). At no point will these matters be tackled – no sir – as there is always a scapegoat reply (such as look at what the others did). Anton Refalo is also responsible for retaining the services of the disgraced Joseph Grech who has now been found suspiciously wanting in another scandal relating to the fraudulent use of funds by the Gozo Action Group.
It never ends does it? Varist blames “people working behind his back” for the stipend flop this week (remember the calls for Giovanna Debono’s head when some funds were lost thanks to hopeless action by people under her responsibility?). Bad company and a shameless approach to accountability : the assault on democratic representation is not about to begin … it is in full swing.
III. Neutralising Simon
There was another farce in parliament. With Joseph Muscat choosing to use (abuse?) of his parliamentary privilege to shut Simon Busuttil up. Busuttil’s line of questioning fits in clearly with the notion of responsibility and in any case parliament is not about concrete proof. The merest suspicion can be voiced in parliament and it is up to the MP voicing it to bear the consequences – should he lie then it is his credibility as a politician that is at stake. Muscat chose to refer to his speaker who came up with a magnificent interpretation that made a mess of the whole history of parliamentary privilege (that dates back to the mid 1500s).
We have a Prime Minister that is unable to face truths, deviously slips out of uncomfortable situations and who prefers to grandstand on the international stage while secretly hoping that his investment in a band of shady characters might help him pull off the greatest escape ever. Joseph Muscat and his party spent opposition signing cheques that would obviously bounce. The great unwashed loved his parading and swallowed his populistic approach to the hilt. Once in government the free for all in appointments was soon to be followed by an incredible demonstration of ineptness. It would not be so bad if the long term effect would not be the complete and utter erosion of our institutions.
The Malta Labour Party’s Taghna Lkoll has managed to prove that it is what we suspected all along: Small ideas for small people.
“What the medicine is to disease, the law is to public affairs” – Justinian.
Dedikata lit-tlett mitt ruħ li tilfu ħajjithom qrib Lampedusa, fejn il-Gżira tal-Fniek.
“Move back”, serra snienu
Idejh imdawra ggranfati ma’ l-istering.
Ħsibijietu,
bejn it-traffiku infern quddiemu
taħt sema’ jnixxi ilmijiet
li lanqas Noe ma qatt ra bħalhom,
id-dlam li jagħma kesa l-ajru
u t-tpaqpiq inċessanti tat-traffiku
mat-tpeċlieq reddieni tal-passiġġiera
dieħel itambar ġewwa rasu
Għajnejh,
jilmħu fil-mera mżejna rużarji
wiċċ ix-xjaten suwed emmissarji
mibgħuta jitturufnawh fil-wied ta’ rwieh mitlufa
u ma jiflaħx iktar
“Move back, ħaqqalla” (għax id-dagħa huwa obbligu)
“Or go back to your country”
♦
“It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee”
Bir-road map quddiemu jiddandan daqs pagun
Ħsibijietu,
mgħarrqa taħt wiegħdiet u illużjoni
imbandla f’baħar ċekkijiet li qatt ma se jissarfu
miżgħuda bil-piż ta’ responsabilità li qatt ma basar
mejtin għal kapru espijatorju
għal Ażażel baħri tal-bnazzi
Ħalqu,
jitgħawweġ u jitkemmex fit-truf
bejn tbissima għax ġietu tajba
u oħra qarsa tal-verità mhix magħrufa
għax jafha hu biss
filwaqt li jbellgħa t-togħma tar-rebħa
għax bi kliemu jġib l-ilma jiżfen
“Push back” intranżiġenti
Pero tinkwetawx.. nieħdu ħsieb nisa u tfal
♦
“Waan ku jecelahay” qaltlu bid-dmugħ nieżel ma’ ħaddejha
…”jiena nħobbok”
Ħsibijietha,
marru f’art twelidhom,
fl-infern li ħallew warajhom
fit-tama ta’ bidu ġdid,
marru fl-ewwel darba li ratu
dik it-tbissima dawl f’deżert ta’ dieqa
dik il-ħarsa torri f’nofs armata ħażen u biża’,
marru f’jum żwieġhom
f’jum twelid binhom
fi vjaġġi tul deżerti u fost kriminali
Għajnejha,
lemħu ġisem żewġha,
l-aħħar qtar ta’ ħajtu jnixxi minn ġo fih
bħaldonnu mgħaġġla jeħilsu minn saħtet l-art,
lemħu t-tarbija tolfoq dmugħ
u raw lil Karonti jgħajjat xi ordni
(li widnejha la semgħu u lanqas kienu jifhmu)
U lemħu dawl blu jpetpet
raw l-anġlu joħroġ idu u jerfa’ lilha u lil binha
raw il-kutra tgħattiha
u reħiet għal mument id-destin tagħha f’idejn ħaddieħor
“Waan ku jecelaway” qaltlu bid-dmugħ nieżel ma’ ħaddejha
…. inħobbok.
