Editorial | Malta deserves better

In a strongly-worded statement earlier this week, the Chamber of Commerce did not mince its words about the impact of the latest social benefit abuse racket.

“Politicians and public officials who make headlines for the wrong reasons, are putting in disrepute the entire political class and the public service, including those who are doing a good job in their areas of responsibility,” the Chamber said. It continued: “When the personal conduct of individuals who abuse of their power deviates from what is rightfully expected by the law-abiding, hard-working and tax-paying citizen, it has far-reaching effects on everyone, including businesses.”

The latest revelations were not new. Indeed, the former MP involved, Silvio Grixti, had resigned in December 2021 when the fraud was uncovered. What we learnt now was the extent of the fraud and how it was a well-crafted scheme that ‘benefitted’ hundreds of constituents with a potential theft of €2.1 million from public coffers.

Grixti’s involvement in providing fraudulent medical certificates with falsified doctors’ signatures to enable constituents claim benefits they were not entitled to, just adds insult to injury.

Charging the claimants and ensuring the State recovers the millions of euros spent is just one aspect of the equation. What honest citizens expect is for the masterminds of this scheme to be charged as well… and have the book thrown at them.

These include customer care officials who knew that something was wrong and simply tagged along. The culture of ‘doing favours’ may benefit singular individuals but does no favours to the rest of society.

This leader expects the police to take action against all those involved in this racket. Impunity will only serve to make a mockery of the law and the basic tenants of respect and justice that bind society.

From a business perspective, such corrupt schemes destroy the notion of a level playing field. Even this racket, which involves social benefits and has no apparent link to the business community, does have an impact on the world of productive work.

Writing off people and making them eligible for a severe disability benefit, automatically pushes them out of the work force and into the grey economy. This impacts businesses’ ability to source local labour and puts a burden on public finances.

The Chamber put it eloquently and we cannot but endorse its statement: “The monies being squandered through such rackets could be better used to support those who really need help and to address issues which are leading to the country’s deterioration such as the traffic situation, the lack of investment in utility infrastructure, the shabbiness and proper waste management.”

But beyond the search for justice, what is needed is a concerted effort to stamp out systemic abuse and eradicate rackets based on pjaċiri.

The Chamber has proposed the full digitalisation of government services with real-time applications’ tracking.

Undoubtedly, digital systems will help introduce accountability, transparency and more importantly, traceability of decisions. These systems should be fully auditable by the National Audit Office.

Public procurement processes must also be reformed to ensure efficiency, transparency and fairness. The Chamber has also proposed that the use of side letters to modify public contracts after they have been awarded should be banned and a clear procedure put in place (possibly requiring parliamentary reference) if contract variations are needed in very specific cases.

Additionally, the number of people holding positions of trust should be limited and clearly defined.

But most importantly, politicians and public officials have to understand the responsibility they shoulder in administering public funds for the greater good. If State benefits or systems are not adequate in addressing certain problems, it is the politician’s role to push and propose changes that benefit everyone and not the select few, who have the audacity to go begging for favours.

Malta deserves better.