IMEX Malta |
IMEX Malta - It's a personal service. The Gateway to Europe. |
 | 
|
Malta Chamber Urges Immediate Action on Identity Card Scandal Amid Governance Concerns
August 10 2024 07:11 by PCLMedia
The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry expressed deep concern on Saturday over the alleged identity card racket, highlighting it as a symptom of broader governance failures in Malta. The chamber emphasized that the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability are essential to maintaining Malta’s reputation as a credible jurisdiction.
The chamber criticized the government's silence on the issue, suggesting it raises suspicions about the severity of the scandal and its potential to significantly damage Malta’s international standing. The alleged racket, which prompted lawyer and former MP Jason Azzopardi to file a court application for a magisterial inquiry, underscores the need for urgent government intervention.
The racket, according to the chamber, was but one example of how the government had failed to heed calls to safeguard good governance, including the various recommendations made by the chamber itself in recent years, with continuing governance breakdowns as the result.
It maintained that the fallout from failures in governance was not only affecting the public sector, but also impacting businesses which sought to act ethically. It noted that businesses relied on official documentation for their proper functioning and management of risks, and with governance now at "abysmal" levels, ethical companies face higher commercial risks arising from uncertainty on the veracity of official documents.
The Malta Chamber warned that the long-term implications of governance failures could be "devastating" for Malta’s international reputation, its business environment and public confidence. Moreover, a lack of trust in critical systems signalled a deeper crisis in governance that threatened the country’s security and stability.
In its statement, the chamber stressed that the ongoing governance breakdowns are not only affecting the public sector but also ethical businesses that rely on the integrity of official documentation. The chamber warned that the lack of good governance, now at "abysmal" levels, increases commercial risks for companies that strive to operate ethically.
Furthermore, the chamber expressed alarm at the "blurring of lines" between the government, civil service, and the ruling political party, arguing that this lack of separation could lead to the collapse of democracy. The frequent turnover of CEOs and chairpersons within public institutions, coupled with opaque employment contracts and unclear procedures for investigating high-ranking officials, is further destabilizing these entities and eroding public trust.
The Malta Chamber cautioned that the long-term implications of these governance failures could be devastating for Malta's international reputation, business environment, and public confidence. The chamber called for immediate government action to restore good governance, including ensuring transparency in appointments and processes, addressing the blurred lines between government entities, and rebuilding public trust in Malta's institutions.
The chamber has repeatedly highlighted the importance of good governance and has issued recommendations in documents such as "Ethical Business Calls for Change" and "A Strong Transparency, Accountability, and Ethical Governance Framework for Members of Parliament." However, the chamber noted that these recommendations have largely been ignored, contributing to the ongoing governance crisis.
In conclusion, the Malta Chamber urged the government to take swift and decisive action to address these issues, warning that failure to do so could further damage Malta’s reputation and undermine the nation’s long-term success.
Do not hesitat to contact us for more information.