We often speak about reform, accountability and stronger institutions. But there is a more basic question that deserves to be asked:
Are we using the right people, with the right experience, in the right places?
Marvin Gaerty, former Commissioner for Revenue, is one of those people who, in my view, represents exactly the kind of institutional experience Malta should not afford to waste.
He worked with people across the board — irrespective of political colour, surname or status.
He is practical, highly knowledgeable in his field and, more importantly, able to see beyond the narrow confines of a department or a file.
He does not operate with blinders.
He identifies the problem.
He understands the wider picture.
He takes decisions.
He finds solutions.
A problem solver. A decision-maker.
During an interview on Ricky Podcast, Gaerty referred to the timeless question:
“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?”
Who watches the watchmen?
That question goes to the very heart of accountability. Because any serious system of governance must ask not only who is being scrutinised, but also who scrutinises those entrusted with the power to scrutinise others.
Oversight cannot exist merely on paper.
It must be independent.
It must be credible.
It must be effective.
And above all, it must inspire public confidence.
Malta should seriously consider creating a robust oversight mechanism capable of providing that additional safeguard — in the interests of justice, accountability and the public.
Because justice must not only be done. It must be seen to be done.
And if such a structure is to be created, then we should be looking at people with proven institutional knowledge, practical experience and the ability to build and manage systems that actually work.
In my view, Marvin Gaerty is precisely the type of person whose experience could contribute substantially to such a project.
Too often, Malta allows experience to sit on the sidelines.
People spend decades accumulating knowledge, understanding institutions, solving problems and learning how systems work — and then, at the point when that experience could be most valuable, we fail to use it.
That is not merely a missed opportunity.
It is a loss for the country.
Malta has talent.
Malta has experience.
Malta has people capable of strengthening its institutions.
What we need is the willingness to put that expertise to work.
Stop wasting experience. Start using it.
No detours. That’s how I see it.
