3 – Taking the fight to corruption

We’ve had a Permanent Commission against Corruption for a quarter of a century. In all that time its work has not led to even one single conviction.

You’d think we don’t have corruption at all in this country.

The Commission works behind closed doors. The part-time members have a secretary and a messenger who makes them coffee.

You never hear from them except when they make statements to announce their investigations have proven inconclusive. 

In November, Joseph Muscat thanked the Commission for not finding evidence that expensive gifts he got from Yorgen Fenech, the man he knew was the main suspect in the killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia, amounted to corruption.

Corrupt politicians rely on the public’s sympathy.

Over time too many seem to have forgotten that corruption is a bad thing and that sooner or later they will be harmed by its consequences.

Apparently there is no institution in Malta’s state which is responsible to remind people of their duty to do their bit and fight corruption.

The Permanent Commission against Corruption is ineffective. We need an agency with the resources to investigate and the power to start prosecutions.

We also need to educate the public about the rights and duties of every citizen to fight corruption, and not to be part of it or tolerate it because it suits them.

Written by Manuel Delia
Video Production & Voiceover: Michael Kaden