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Kurt Sansone
In what is certainly a rare gesture by a politician, Labour MP Anglu Farrugia is calling on his party’s general conference to approve a motion suggesting the creation of a ‘super’ structure that would investigate all incidences of misuse of public funds since Malta became a republic in 1974.
Describing the parliamentary accounts committee as a farce, Farrugia argued that it is not the right forum to investigate issues related to public finance such as the recent controversy involving the purchase of Malta House in Brussels.
Talking to MaltaToday, Farrugia insisted that “politicians cannot investigate and judge other politicians.”
The PAC is composed of four Government and three Opposition members. It is chaired by Opposition Finance spokesperson Charles Mangion.
Aware of the implications his suggestion could have on both Nationalist and Labour politicians, Farrugia said the investigative structure would also have to investigate cases of misuse of public funds under the various Labour administrations since 1974.
“The Public Accounts Committee cannot function well. First of all it is politicians who are scrutinising other politicians and that is not ideal because they may have a conflict of interest. Secondly, people summoned in front of PAC are not bound by oath and may feel uncomfortable to divulge information in front of politicians,” Farrugia said.
He argued that people are fed up with broken promises made by politicians. “There is a general sense of mistrust in the political class because despite the criticism and controversies that often arise, little is done to bring the culprits to book. The problem is that the country’s structures have not changed and cannot deal with corruption,” the Mosta politician told MaltaToday.
Referring to the brief Labour stint in government between 1996 and 1998, Farrugia said he is still disappointed that during that period no one was brought to book despite the intense criticism of various public officials prior to the 1996 election.
“I am disappointed that George Grech remained Police Commissioner after all the criticism that had been levelled by my party against him,” Farrugia said.
Farrugia’s proposal for the upcoming MLP conference includes the appointment of ‘super’ magistrates by a two-thirds parliamentary majority to grant a security of tenure, with powers to investigate and prosecute any case involving the misuse of public funds and corruption. Farrugia also suggests increasing prescription to 30 years giving any government or authority enough time to investigate past misdeeds.
“This is a new system, radically different from how we know it today and is similar to what happens in Italy and France,” Farrugia explained.
He is expected to present his proposal for approval by the Labour Party’s next general conference. “I will be asking delegates to support my motion, which will also call for such a structure to be the first measure to be adopted by a future Labour government,” Farrugia said.
Conscious of the internal opposition he may face from some party members, Farrugia insisted the Labour Party must be brave. It seems his suggestion did not find sympathetic ears at Super One, which ignored the proposal first spelt out in public during a speech Farrugia made at the Mosta MLP club.
“This country needs a clean slate. Politicians need to regain the people’s trust and my suggestion is one way by which the MLP could strengthen its credibility. The party has to mature. Just pointing fingers is akin to blowing bubbles and unless a competent structure is set up to investigate corruption irrespective of who does it, people will continue to lose trust in politics and politicians.”
kurt@newsworksltd
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