MPs from both sides of the House praise recently deceased former MP Rokku Abdilla

MPs from both sides of the House praised recently deceased former Parliamentarian Rokku Abdilla in Parliament on Monday.

PL MP Joe Debono Grech said that Rokku Abdilla was a “suldat ta l-azzar” in the 1960s, and was one of the few MLP MPs in Parliament back then.

He said that Mr Abdilla had worked hard for the workers at a time when conditions were not as good as they are today. “When in government and in Opposition he worked to improve the lives of workers. He was a sincere person within the movement.”

PN Deputy Leader Mario de Marco said that Mr Abdilla was first elected in 1962. He praised Mr Abdilla’s work with regard to safeguarding the interests of the workers.

He said that Mr Abdilla was again elected in 1966 and 1971. “In 1976, he was not elected. This does not mean his work in the interest of the workers ended there. In reality he continued working for the values.” He said that after those years, the former MP drifted from the PL, feeling that the PN better represented the interests of the workers.

Dr de Marco spoke of the 1981 elections, saying that the PN received the absolute majority of votes, but not of members in Parliament, and that is something that Rokku Abdilla did not hold back on. He spoke at a PN mass meeting on the issue of democracy.

His involvement did not stop there. There were activities related to the EU, organised by the PN, in which he spoke, and his message was that Malta’s EU membership was important as we could better look out for the interests of the workers.

“Rokku Abdilla never feared expressing his opinions and thoughts. He didn’t believe in tribal politics. The party didn’t come first for him, but rather the interest of the workers came first and foremost.”

Dr de Marco said that both parties should work to reduce the polarisation that currently exists in local politics.

PD Leader Marlene Farrugia said that her parents were canvassers for Mr Abdilla, and that, although she only knew him when she was young, she remembers his absolute loyalty to the country.

Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia also spoke fondly in memory of Rokku Abdilla.