Be the change – Claudette Buttigieg
Malta has been under siege by political events for most of the past eight years. What was sold as the best time for our country in the run up for the 2013 general election, a dream, has become a nightmare.
The country is yearning for a sense of normality. Our citizens are overwhelmed by political and Covid-19 fatigue. Labour continues to take advantage of this situation and had it not been for the tireless work of some journalists, we would not know what is really going on behind our backs.
With all that is happening around us, we may erroneously come to the conclusion that our society is to blame for the wrong doings and not those who actually break the law or abuse of the system. The ultimate responsibility remains with each individual.
In our society, we should all be under scrutiny. No person’s wrongdoing is justifiable, but justice must be proportionate to the actions and intentions behind the same actions.
Each member of our society (which ultimately should be an inclusive one) deserves to be treated with dignity and there should always be room for everyone to contribute to their own wellbeing and to the wellbeing of our society as a whole. The State must guarantee this equity and must lead by example. Persons, or relatives of persons in privileged positions, or positions of trust, cannot be above the law or above scrutiny.
It is very worrying that in 2021 there is still the need to write this.
Do we still have to justify why Daphne Caruana Galizia exposed all she did through her investigative journalism? Didn’t she and her family pay the ultimate price for doing the right thing? It is encouraging to see other journalists (both local and international) continue with her work and investigations, but I find it sad that we are almost surprised that this is actually happening.
The recent statements by Labour MEPs accusing David Casa and Roberta Metsola of being national traitors (again), continue to re-enforce the message that Labour will continue to suppress those who are ready to criticize this government. This pseudo liberal government which is apparently open to major changes in our society is constantly refusing to change its ways.
But the need for change is being felt and it needs to be addressed.
Had it not been for Covid-19 restrictions, we all know that civil society would have taken to the streets in massive protests numerous times over the past few months.
With an election looming on the horizon, our citizens are looking at Partit Nazzjonalista for the signs. Does PN have what it takes to present itself as an alternative government?
As I write this piece, the PN is presenting a set of proposals related to a fully-fledged plan for Tourism. This is a very detailed plan which was put together by Robert Arrigo and his team after a long consultation process.
PN is presenting alternative approaches to a much-needed tourist market to kick start our economy. Marketing, connectivity, accommodation, infrastructure, urban planning, environment, attractions, and events are the basic pillars.
The plan presents short and medium term proposals which will go into action in this Covid-controlled scenario focusing mainly on niche and specialised markets to attract quality tourists in sustainable numbers where Malta is sold as a “safe” destination. The plan also offers long-term proposals for a post-Covid era which should lead to a gradual and cautious recovery.
And while our core vote supporters are not very happy when we publish our ideas because they feel we are giving them away too early and these same ideas can be (and have been) used by the government, it is our responsibility to offer solutions which are for the good of the country. The difficulty remains as to how we are going to sell our message to the people.
Labour in Government has the abundant resources to set the agenda and twist the truth. For instance, while we are discussing the rental law in parliament, the Labour narrative is that they are in touch with people’s reality and have the courage to change laws such as this one. Bullocks! Labour is proposing the amendments in the law simply because recent court decisions have obliged government to make such urgent changes in the law.
Similarly, in a recent set of meetings as part of PN’s consultation process on Cannabis, spread over a two-week period, different stakeholders have told us that they know that Government’s White Paper on the subject, published just in time for the April survey, is a smoke screen and distraction from the main issues tormenting our country.
My concern is that people know this, and they will tell us this behind closed doors, but they will not go public about it. Is it correct for me to conclude that people, associations, and NGOs are afraid of Labour? Would people have the same fear if PN were in government?
In the coming months Malta will face another election. This is the right time to overcome the fear of speaking up for what is right. This appeal goes mainly to our younger generations. Waiting for others to do the right thing is not an option. The need for change is growing. And you must be the change.