Opinion • 09 March 2003

Malta ground to a halt

Julian Manduca talks of missed deadlines and commitments

"Don’t shout too loudly or you will wake the government" was an expression used to describe the PN of the 60s, but it could equally apply to the government now.

Expect our administration to remain in limbo for another few months.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that most politicians holding portfolios have virtually stopped pushing forward their agenda since November of last year or even earlier to concentrate on the EU campaign and their own re-election.

Malta cannot afford to experience such an administrative ‘hole’ whenever there is an important decision to be taken.

The list of missed or expected to be missed deadlines is impressive. By this time, had Malta not come to a halt Joe citizen could have expected a blueprint for pension reform, plans to downsize the civil service, progress on rent reform and the consideration of some sort of incentive to put vacant dwellings to good use, bringing the Marsa power station up to EU standards, an indication of where a new waste landfill will be located, a new waste treatment plant to replace the incinerator at St. Luke’s, bus ticketing machines, new buses, and a host of other ‘goods’ that no doubt many among our readership will be able to identify. Everything came to a halt. The adage of politicians has been: ‘we will do nothing that will spoil the chances of the ‘yes’ vote at the referendum.’

In all probability more decisions have been put on hold and more progress has been stalled than everyone in the PN will be prepared to admit.

I have not visited ministries or government departments recently but in my mind’s eye, judging by the lack of action on the outside, I imagine myself walking into a ghost town, a receptionist without anyone to pass calls to, an eerie vaporous smoke making its way slowly out of a dusty office where a politician used to sit.

In my few unofficial dealings with politicians I have come up against the proverbial wall often enough: "we will do that, but you cannot expect us to do it before the elections."

The Nationalist ministers blame Labour politicians for stabbing them in the back and one must offer them some sympathy for that.

Labour has always been all too ready to take advantage of any decision that might be in Malta’s interests, but can be swung round to lose votes for the decision-makers.

The lack of a promise from the Labour Party that it will not change the rent laws if elected, and its stand on hunting, immediately spring to mind.

The EU debate has been more than a distraction for all of us and there is no doubt that several special interest groups, and sectors of civil society are holding back so as to influence the referendum outcome. Even some environment groups like Birdlife have decided to lie low.

It remains to be seen whether the scenario will change in the election run up.

The EU is an important issue and there is no doubt that energy was needed to convince the public of the desirability of membership, but if politicians learned to market their achievements in the way they are capable of promoting themselves, there would be much less fear of vote loss and much more to put on their asset side when facing the electorate.

The cause of so much administrative slow down has much to do with the very harmful personal lobbying candidates find themselves forced to do in our petty society based on promises, favours and nepotism.

The idea that each politician has to do house visits is not conducive to a modern society where politicians should be working for the common good and not private gain.

There needs to be much more emphasis on the policies of the political parties and the ideas of the candidates, than the inside of politicians offices where people queue up in their hundreds hoping for miracles from their patrons.

It is time for the political parties to grow up and start acting like they are worthy of joining the EU.