Malcolm Seychell, Birkirkara
Big two failing to lead on migration
On February 2, this newspaper, perhaps by accident, showed the deep ditch separating the two bigger political parties from the concerns of the Maltese people at large. Front page it showed a photo of the latest ship to enter Malta with its unwelcome passengers over a headline 262 Migrants Arrive. This was a faithful reflection of public opinion: on Sunday this was the main issue of concern to the man-in-the-street and the principal subject of conversation among the public at large.
On other pages the newspaper reported a speech by the Prime Minister at a political activity at Sannat, and another by the Labour Party Leader at the party's general conference. Both Lawrence Gonzi and Joseph Muscat spoke about matters that are important to Malta. But they studiously avoided facing the problem of illegal immigration.
They could hardly claim that they were not briefed about the subject, and that the arrival of 262 illegal immigrants took them by surprise.
The latest arrivals are only the climax of a crisis that has been building up for several years. The numbers have been growing from year to year, as has the capacity of the vessels transporting the illegal immigrants.
They started with boats carrying 27, went on to bigger boats with a capacity of over 100, and they have now escalated to 260. The gradual increase indicates that there may be a brain behind these departures from the Libyan coast, as if someone were testing the Maltese government's ability to sustain pressure.
The reaction of the Maltese government, with the complicit silence of the Opposition, has not been up to the gravity of the crisis. Dr Gonzi's general declarations have shown him more concerned to be on the side of the angels than on the side of Maltese public opinion.
Dr Muscat is taking advantage of the privilege of being in Opposition: once the government is at odds with its own base, the Opposition can only reap the benefits.
With their ostrich-like tactics, Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat are failing to provide the country with the necessary leadership on a vital issue that is having a serious impact on Malta's external and internal security, our fragile economy and our social cohesion.
Malta is a democracy and the people can best express their will in elections. If the two bigger parties turn a deaf ear to a major problem which is alarming public opinion, it is time the people paid greater attention to those who are ready to listen to them.
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malcolm seychell
Feb 8th 2009, 09:46
@ M. Mercieca
Like all illegal immigrants, they are burden on the country
Many of them work illegally so they pay nothing to the state.
If an illegal immigrant costs us Eur50 each and we have 5000 of them its costing the country Eur91 million.
I am in favour of legal immigration and not illegal.
M. Mercieca
Feb 7th 2009, 18:42
Dear Mr. Malcolm Seychell
I would very much like to discuss immigrants with you. Can I ?
To began with, for now please leave the legal status of immigrants aside.
Do we (in Malta as well as EU) have a population deficit that would eventually leave pensioners with lesser money – Yes or No ?
malcolm seychell
Feb 7th 2009, 13:23
@ Corinne Vella.
Do I have a right to give my opinion on illegal immigration or I have to agree with all your ideas. I agree with you that in opposition life is always easier but that doesn't mean we do not have a duty to show our disagreement with other parties.
I said more then once, that if I had the power I would have used the VETO at least 2 times to get what I want for Malta.
The VETO should have been used on the Lisbon Treaty and the Voluntary Burden Sharing.
I never said or will instigate any hatred towards immigrants.
I just criticize the people who are taking bad political decisions.
I am always open for discussion even with those who do not agree with me including yourself.
lgalea
Feb 7th 2009, 09:29
John Gatt
It will only be then, perhaps, God forbid, that Gonezipn may start to take a little action.
lgalea
Feb 6th 2009, 23:26
M. Mercieca
There is no european population deficit, otherwise they would have taken all our illegal immigrats.
The politicians have got to learn to protect the Maltese citizens not the illegal immigrats.
They shall get our answer on our ballot paper.
Joe Xuereb
Feb 6th 2009, 22:32
I think the world, and Europe in particular, is being held to ransom. I suspect this youthful vagrancy, transgressing international borders, is done in the spirit of youth (mainly young men interestingly) who all want to be in on the act lest they miss out. With dire consequences for all around I should add.
@ I M Dingli Corinne Vella has a track record of diametrically opposite comprehension. So I shouldn't worry unduly.
michael southgate
Feb 6th 2009, 21:46
THERE IS ONLY ONE ANSWER, THAT IS FOR INDIVIDUAL COUNTRYS TO STAND UP TO THE EU AND UNILATERALLY CLOSE IT'S BORDERS, PROVIDE HOSPITAL SHIPS ANCHORED AT SEA TO ATTEND TO SICK/PREGNANT, AND RE-PROVISION AND TURN REST AWAY.
John Gatt
Feb 6th 2009, 20:40
I hope this situation does not require any lives of our people to make a difference.
R Enderby
Feb 6th 2009, 18:33
If you want an example of how this can go badly wrong when the main parties ignore or "tiptoe" around such an issue, look at the UK. There is now the ugly spectacle of a far right extremist party gaining votes, and seats on local councils, using the issue. They have support because the indiginous population cannot get any action from either main party. Beware!
Joseph Calleja
Feb 6th 2009, 18:15
As they say...."MISSION CONTROL WE HAVE A PROBLEM, BIG PROBLEM". The PN lost control of the situation from the start and PL is not helping any, so as everybody can see the government does not have any answers or afraid to dirty their hands, all in the name of VOTES. Remember that, when elections come up. It seems that the people have to do the dirty work and try to find a solution to this problem. Bigger boats coming to the shores of Malta with a lot more people, riots are becoming a habit and every time these riots happen, Maltese lives are put in jeopardy. I applaud the Times and the Independent for reporting all this, openly and when available with pictures. I do wish that Radio stations and TV stations start doing the same. The maltese people need to know.
I M Dingli
Feb 6th 2009, 17:16
@ Corinne Vella That is called Politics, it's a practice used by ALL parties so why point your finger to AN?
Michelle Dali
Feb 6th 2009, 16:25
I am totally disgusted with the way the government is dealing with this national crisis. It may well be time to give someone who is serious about this issue a chance.
M. Mercieca
Feb 6th 2009, 15:04
All countries fail to control illegal immigration and Malta is no exception.
A solution to satisfy both Valletta and Brussels does not exist and probably never.
Unless, any or all anti-immigrants parties provide and explain in DETAILS how they curb illegal immigrants (in the context of Europe population deficit and Europe's dire need for imported man power ) they will not be taking seriously and will never fill one ballot box.
Vincent Zerafa
Feb 6th 2009, 12:56
@ Charles Sammut
Good point. That's what thousands of other think too, including myself.
Charles Sammut
Feb 6th 2009, 10:48
I expect some vague mumblings about illegal immigration from the PNPL lot before the MEP election. But there are few who will believe them now.
They have had their chance to rectify the situation and they have failed miserably. It is time to give somebody else a chance.
Corinne Vella
Feb 6th 2009, 09:58
"Dr Muscat is taking advantage of being in opposition"...and what is Malcolm Seychell, secretary general of Azzjoni Nazzjonali doing?