Indecent attitude

As a Maltese citizen I was utterly shocked by Commissioner Dalli’s sudden resignation over his alleged knowledge of an attempted corruption by a Maltese businessman close to him.  I don’t think it is prudent or fair to comment on the issue since I, like Mr Dalli, haven’t seen the OLAF report.  All we have is Giovanni Kessler’s words and a mass of conflicting media reports.  I do not doubt Mr Kessler’s integrity, but OLAF proceeded on circumstantial evidence and I prefer to give the benefit of the doubt to my fellow Maltese citizen Mr Dalli.  The ultimate result is that the forthcoming tobacco directive is now ‘frozen’ and our country’s reputation severely tarnished.  Nothing to be happy about, is it? 

There are instances when I honestly feel saddened and ashamed by the way some of my fellow countrymen think and behave.  It’s totally incomprehensible to me how some could find reason to rejoice in Mr Dalli’s axing.   Those who hate him had a field day emptying their stomachs on the news portal blogs and elsewhere.  I wonder if they have anything better to do. Well, in the name of freedom of expression, I presume they are entitled to an opinion, no?  It’s a whole different matter if one is producing and presenting a program on our national broadcaster.  I don’t normally watch Bondi+, but was curious to see what the guru of journalism would come up with. 

Last Thursday’s edition was simply pathetic and an utter insult to the viewer’s intelligence.  It was nothing but a vile attempt to try to drag the Labour Party and leader Joseph Muscat into this mess.  An incoherent puzzle of video clips, many from Bla Agenda, with the clear intent to harm Labour.  Normal Hamilton will be delighted to receive so much free publicity. Watching the program, I got the impression that the presenter was satisfied with what had happened to fellow commissioner Mr Dalli? 

There is yet no hard proof that shows Mr Dalli is guilty of any wrongdoing.  So why are certain people so willing to condemn him? There are simply too many coincidences not to raise serious suspicions that the whole story smells fishy.  I also feel that Mr Dalli was not treated well by Mr Barroso, asking for the resignation within the hour without allowing Mr Dalli to see the OLAF report.  Isn’t one supposed to be fully aware of what he is being accused?

There might be quite a few in the PN who are delighted by Dr Dalli’s undoing, but they forget that it was the PM who nominated Dalli in the first place.  Dr Gonzi soon ended the speculation and, as expected, nominated Dr Tonio Borg to replace John Dalli.  Let’s hope this will not bring further embarrassment for Malta. 

Dr Borg can expect a tough grilling in the European Parliament, especially after what happened.  Not so say that Dr Borg does have a skeleton or two in his closet.  Rest assured that the European MPs will discover them and Dr Borg will, in Malta’s name, have to answer.   In the mean time, back here, we should be entertained to some musical chairs at Tal-Pieta’.  Apparently, the polls are really worrying the strategists.  

Edward Mifsud