“Malta is in the midst of a deep political crisis,” Kamra tal-Periti said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that “the National in terest must prevail.”

It went on to say that “several of those allegedly implicated, even if just by association, in precipitating the current situation have sworn an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Malta and its Constitution, and to perform their duties to the best of their knowledge and ability.”

The Kamra reiterated its statement of November 2017 warning about the “dire future our society faces if it fails to uphold the rule of law and ethical standards.”

It also reminded all professionals of their: duty to uphold ethical behaviour; right to exercise their profession without fear of reprisal; duty to hold institutions to account; obligation to speak out when institutions fail; duty to ensure equality and equity in their respective industries; and the responsibility to seek the common good.

The Kamra called on all professional chambers and associations “to uphold their duty to investigate professional misconduct and hold their members to account without fear or favour.”

It also called on them to “insist upon the development of institutions and processes that guarantee equality among citizens, and that seek the common good rather than the vested interests of the few.”

The Kamra tal-Periti said that it has consistently spoken out on the need for reform, with the main focus of course, being the building and construction industry.

It argued that “the failures of our planning system, the complete lack of adequate building regulation, and the wanton disregard for our cultural and natural heritage are indicative of a country overcome by speculation and corruption for the past decades, to the grave detriment of the public good.”

“Similar failures are also present in other industries. It is clear that our society is in the throes of a deep-set and chronic malady that has pervaded its very foundations,” said the Kamra.

The Kamra stressed that, “it is the obligation of each of us to combat this scourge and eradicate it from our industries, our society and our country.”

The words of Jane Jacobs, American journalist, author and activist on urban design and planning were quoted in the 2017 statement: “There is a quality even meaner than outright ugliness or disorder, and this meaner quality is the dishonest mask of pretended order, achieved by ignoring or suppressing the real order that is struggling to exist and to be served.”

The Kamra tal-Periti concluded by saying, “the time for dishonest masks pretending that all is in order is now over. It is now time for those in authority to recognise the precipitous situation that has led to the current social unrest, and to urgently take all necessary decisions to safeguard the national interest.”

Photo by The Kamra tal-Periti

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