Political upheaval will harm business confidence and country’s stability, Malta Chamber warns
Malta Chamber of Commerce warns political turmoil will prove detrimental to business, says accusations against highest ranking officials prevent Prime Minister from delivering justice
by Massimo Costa
The Malta Chamber of Commerce has said it fears the current political upheaval will prove detrimental to business confidence and the general stability of Malta in the long run.
The Chamber called on the Prime Minister “to do the right thing, and ensure that justice is delivered as soon as possible”, but said that the accusations levelled against officials in the highest echelons of power prevent Joseph Muscat from doing so.
In a statement issued on Friday - hours after Muscat’s chief of staff Keith Schembri was released from police custody, and it was announced that Daphne Caruana Galizia murder suspect Yorgen Fenech would not be granted a presidential pardon - the Chamber said that “a way out must be found”.
“On election to government in 2013, the Labour party delivered on its promise of a business-friendly environment that was conducive for economic growth and a creativity of investment. The Malta Chamber has played a major role in this process which brought about our country’s most affluent time to date,” it said.
“This government’s track record however, has been tarnished by a long and heavy shadow it cannot shake or shrug off. The events that took place last night, brought to the fore more doubts rather than certainties, more questions rather than answers. The latest developments this morning, on the Vitals Global Healthare case involving three Ministers continues to make matters worse.”
The Chamber also highlighted that the latest developments this morning connected with the Vitals Global Healthcare case only made matters worse.
Today a court threw out an appeal by finance minister Edward Scicluna and former ministers Konrad Mizzi and Chris Cardona against a criminal inquiry into the Vitals deal was denied by a court, effectively meaning the three are again the subjects of a criminal inquiry.
“The Malta Chamber fears this will prove detrimental to business confidence and the general stability of the country in the long run. On behalf of all well-spirited and ethical businesses in Malta, the Chamber calls on the Prime Minister to do the right thing, and ensure that justice is delivered as soon as possible,” the Chamber emphasised.
“Unfortunately, the accusations that have been levelled against people in the highest echelons of power, prevent the office of the Prime Minister from delivering on this tall order, and this is raising doubts in the entire system. A way out must be found.”
The Chamber added that not only must justice be done, but it must also be seen to be done, and immediately. “Only in such a way will we assure the much needed stability and business confidence for the country.”
