MEA says allegations of corruption undermine political leadership

The Malta Employers’ Association has said that corruption and unaddressed allegations of corruption, undermine trust in the country’s leaders’ ability and their willingness to guarantee a sound level of good governance.

“Mistrust in a certain type of political leadership might be reaching unsustainable levels and this seriously disturbs the daily life of the average citizen, businessmen and entrepreneurs,” a statement by the association reads.

The MEA added that internationally, Malta must avoid a perception of a second rate governance that does not apply the rule of law.

“This could seriously hurt a hard earned respectability of our financial sector, a sector that provides important employment and revenue,” they said, adding that a relatively good overall economic performance must not be jeopardised.

The association added that the damaging air of mistrust must be cleared and that it is expected that our justice administrators play their part by providing fair and fast means of redress to leaders and politicians tainted by what might be a false accusation.

It further called for a system to fast track the hearing of libel cases at the law courts, as politicians and the media are finding it convenient to score political points by hurling accusations in the knowledge that it will take years for libel cases to be resolved, to the detriment of innocent parties.

“The current situation is creating a crisis of values which threatens the moral fabric in all aspects of our lives. Citizens and the business community require constant good governance as this creates an environment conducive to healthy social and economic development.”