Robert Arrigo MP (Nationalist), St Julians
Immigration to be solved as one nation
The illegal immigration issue is fast becoming a massive problem. The number of arrivals in winter seems to herald waves of immigrants heading our way in the spring and summer seasons.
The hundreds of arrivals, now often being greeted by other former illegal immigrants, is a worrying sign. The strange configuration of a quota of women, mainly pregnant, confirms a carefully planned strategy, with Malta as the main objective. I was told stories where family members, such as brothers and cousins, have come across in regular intervals. Whether they really cross over directly from a Libyan port or are let out into the open seas from a larger boat travelling in any direction, is not the point. In whatever way they travel, it appears to be a short crossing as the faces that come ashore do not betray any signs of grave fatigue.
My concerns are not only the ones of the moment, that of Malta not being large enough to accommodate these immigrants, but also revolve around other consequences of these landings.
The food, and the total service Malta provides, comes at a price, and it is the taxpayer that is forking out millions of euros yearly. The town tissue is fast eroding in places like Msida, where hundreds of foreigners live, as I find in my house visits, coupled with loitering and a sudden rise in petty theft. Foreigners knock on doors looking for food or something to steal.
The migrant arrivals mainly are young. In time they will age and we will therefore be obliged to give them housing units, social security, jobs and eventually a pension. We will have to take care of them throughout their lifetime. To do so, we must discard our obligations to our real brothers and sisters, the Maltese, and their needs. Had we been living in a state where we are all above average, with no problems, then our intake of immigrants could be seen in a different light. The problem is made grave by the fact that these arrivals compound our state of affairs and replace our workforce, plus I doubt whether they or their employer pay NI contributions or tax.
It would be a pity if this issue became a political football, with an effort to score points to the detriment of the real issue. These migrants will come, immaterial of who is in government. As everybody has left us to swim the heavy seas alone, the solutions have to be immediate and must be found by ourselves, as one nation.
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Mario Tabone
Mar 1st 2009, 21:23
Corrine Vella, if you read my comment again you'll see that I said i might not agree with all the conent of the speech. However I also said there are similarities which I applied to my argument. When I mention my dog eat dog theory I am talking from experience of working in inner city areas of the UK, something which I suspect you have no experience of. I therefore don't blame you for your arguments however if you just open your eyes to what is going on in the detention centres you might just understand the extent of the problem that we are facing, a problem that has been escalating in the UK since the 60's and is now out of control. All because it was not managed properly which is what my argument is in Malta's case right now.
Corinne Vella
Feb 27th 2009, 19:47
James Farrugia: "As far as I know, the small numbers of Maltese in England have never caused any trouble collectively to the English authorities." Perhaps you're unaware of the pimps, brothel keepers and drug dealers of Soho. Mario Tabone: It is never a good idea to quote someone in support of your arguments if you do not agree with him. It is particularly not a good idea to do that in the case of Enoch Powell. Your dog-eat-dog theory is at odds with your theory that ethnic tensions are the root cause of riots.
Mario Tabone
Feb 27th 2009, 18:08
Connie Vella, I dont want you or anybody else to think that I believe totally that what Enoch Powell said in his Rivers of Blood Speech is the way forward. I am talking about illegal immigration which is different to what happened in the UK then. However there are similarities in that illegal immigration especially the sort we are getting, with people from different cultures within third world countries is very dangerous. In the UK where a lot of these cultures clash within inner city areas especially ,it is like a war zone. Trust me when I tell you that the main problem is not the British people versus the illegal immigrant communities but there exists a level of distrust and hatred within the refugee/illegal communities themselves against each other. This boils down from the troubles and cultures they have in their own country. Why do you think we get all the riots in Safi and other places where these people are kept. Can you imagine once they grow in numbers strong enough to take on allcomers !!!!! They have been brought up in a dog eat dog world and will never change.
James Farrugia
Feb 27th 2009, 16:15
Corinne, my comment had a second part but I think I must have forgotten to press the submit button. The majority of immigrants were either Asian or African-descended, not Maltese. In short, what I said was that the two fears of Mr.Powell were two: that due to the proposed legislation by the Labour Government, a Race-Relations bill I believe, Powell feared that the native English people would have less rights than the immigrator communities. His second fear was that of communal violence, based on his own experiences in India and on what he had just witnessed some three weeks before he had delivered his Birmingham speech. I also said that I doubt that any Maltese threatened to commit self-immolation while working as a public bus driver in England. If Integration takes place then all is well, but when the local customs are expected to be upturned so as to accomodate the immigrator communities then Integration does not take place, and what automatically takes place is segregation, which is what leads to racial/ethnic tension. As far as I know, the small numbers of Maltese in England have never caused any trouble collectively to the English authorities.
Corinne Vella
Feb 27th 2009, 15:57
James Farrugia: I'm not aware of any Sikh communities agitating within Malta's public service and I doubt that that's what Mario Tabone meant. Mr Tabone was talking about the 'immigrator communities' mentioned in your quotation. What do you imagine the Maltese in Britain were to Enoch Powell?
James Farrugia
Feb 27th 2009, 14:57
Corinne Vella: the people that Mr.Powell was referring to were those as shall be described below, courtesy of the speech now known as "Rivers of Blood", which was delivered by Enoch Powell. ""The Sikh communities' campaign to maintain customs inappropriate in Britain is much to be regretted. Working in Britain, particularly in the public services, they should be prepared to accept the terms and conditions of their employment. To claim special communal rights (or should they say rites?) leads to a dangerous fragmentation within society. This communalism is a canker; whether practised by one colour or another it is to be strongly condemned." All credit to John Stonehouse for having had the insight to perceive that, and the courage to say it. For these dangerous and divisive elements the legislation proposed in the Race Relations Bill is the very pabulum they need to flourish. Here is the means of showing that the immigrator communities can organise to consolidate their members, to agitate and campaign against their fellow citizens, and to overawe and dominate the rest with the legal weapons which the ignorant and the ill-informed have provided. "
Corinne Vella
Feb 27th 2009, 14:36
Mario Tabone: "Malta has always looked at British ways to move forward." If Malta were to follow Enoch Powell, all the Maltese would have to leave. What do you imagine the Maltese were to Enoch Powell?
Mario Tabone
Feb 26th 2009, 20:17
How true Robert Arrigo's comments are. I read this and I cast my mind back to the late 1960's when a certain Conservative member of parliament called Enoch Powell made a speech that was to cause uproar and to this day remains controversial.
It was the famous Rivers of Blood speech in 1968 which ultimately cost Mr Powell his job. However the situation which brought this speech to the fore was immigration. Politics being what it always has been played a big part in his downfall. People who criticised Mr Powell's speech secretly agreed with him but they did not dare upset the do gooders of that era. Forty one years later and we can all see the devastating impact that uncontrolled immigration had on Britain. Malta has always looked at British ways to move forward. I urge all politicians to heed what is happening in Malta at the moment. Be brave and be ready to be counted. Stop this lunacy which is eroding our culture before we end up having our very own version of The Rivers of Blood.
Corinne Vella
Feb 26th 2009, 19:22
Dennis Catania: Please don't be ridiculous. I've never given you my contact details, and never would do such a thing, and, thankfully, we've never met.
Corinne Vella
Feb 26th 2009, 17:48
Ivan Attard: I'm not sure I understand what you're on about but I do understand that you are not the moderator of this forum, so why do you take it upon yourself to decide who may speak and what may be said?
Chris Borg
Feb 25th 2009, 23:16
Very well said Hon. Arrigo!
Michelle Dali
Feb 25th 2009, 23:13
I'm so glad that Robert Arrigo, too has found the courage to state the facts are they are with regard to the crisis of illegal immigration. It is hopeful to read that at last a politician is admitting that we are not going to get help from anyone and that we must help ourselves and quickly before all is lost.
Now please, Mr Arrigo, work on our stubborn Prime Minister to make him see the light. He has done nothing but try to make the concerned citizen feel guilty about wanting to protect this country and our children's future. It hasn't worked. People are intelligent enough to see for themselves what is really happening and what the grave negative consequences of inaction will be.
The migrants who are landing are mainly young men. Young men who have no hope of working here legally, no chance of going on to other European countries, and therefore no prospects of achieving the better life they seek. This can only lead to frustration. Frustration leads to anger and this may manifest itself in bad behaviour such as we are witnessing already - riots.
Joseph Calleja
Feb 25th 2009, 22:53
@ Corinne Vella
Ms Vella if you read my original comment again you will see that I never mentioned sexuality, not once. As I mentioned before, I said come out of THAT closet not THE closet. I am very familiar with the phrase, I have family members that are gay and I am not ashamed of that. You brought out the sexuality question and maybe you are the one that misunderstood the quote , but I don't see any apologies. I don't think politicians need you or me to defend them, that's why they are called politicians. On the other hand you are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine. Enough said , let's all concentrate on saving Malta from illegal immigration which is a more pressing issue.
Ivan Attard
Feb 25th 2009, 22:27
@Corinne Vella
If you are politely told to stop interfering in things that only the Maltese know are effecting their lives would you kindly refrain from your comments about 'closets' and 'homosexuality'?
We are here concerned with much more pressing issues which you, apparently, fail to grasp the magnitude of.
I salute both JPO and Robert Arrigo for having the guts to stand out from the whimpering rest of class attitude in the GonziPn. You could call that 'coming out of the closet' or whatever but it was very clearly stated without you having to go for the 'homosexuality' funny bit which, although implicable was not the point which you should have acknowledged.
Denis Catania
Feb 25th 2009, 21:33
@Corinne Vella: We launched our new name Save Malta From illegal immigration 1. We also started another group as the first sold out. Save Malta From Illegal immigration 2. You didn't receive the press release?? Maybe someone don't like you in our front office. I'll put an end to that, because I like you.
Wayne Hewitt
Feb 25th 2009, 21:01
Azzjoni Nazzjonali will cooperate with anyone who genuinely and seriously wants to solve this issue once and for all. May I stress on the word seriously, because now that the June EP elections are approaching both the PL and the PN are talking about it but I fear everything will become silent again gone June. We're at a stage now where Maltese citizens want to see real tangible action from the authorities and not just words and rhetoric.
May I invite the PL and PN to have a look at the 10 point solution that AN came up with last week and discuss its implementation today before tomorrow. AN has been the only party in Malta who was always genuinely concerned about the issue because it wants to prevent problems before they happen.
Wayne Hewitt
Acting General Secretary
Partit Azzjoni Nazzjonali
David Pisani
Feb 25th 2009, 20:56
First thing JPO could do is to persuade the Government to go for a referenda on EU Treaty.
Malta will lose right for a veto if Treaty passes in Ireland. How can we attain positive results if we don't have a card to use.
So please JPO appeal to your party to change present stand on EU Treaty.
But please do act fast and present a resolution in parlaiment to allow EU Treaty to be passed through a referenda where people vote.
I will vote against because of services directive whereby Companies are given the green light to employ workers at low wage "Social Dumping".
L.Calleja
Feb 25th 2009, 19:37
I totally agree with this article. We can't accept anymore illegal immigrants to Malta who loiter around our island (Valletta, Marsa, Birzebbugia and now in Mosta as well) without giving their contribution. The problem of pregnant women is another big problem. Let's start taking actions before it is too late.
L. Gauci
Feb 25th 2009, 19:35
Thank you, Robert Arrigo, for expressing so well the concerns of the Maltese people on this issue. You and Jeffrey Pullicino Orland are to be commended for having the courage to speak out in favour of the Maltese. Perhaps one of these days Dr. Gonzi will realise how concerned the people are and do something about it. It is not enough to honour our "international obligations" The government's duty is first and foremost towards the Maltese. Most of these immigrants are not refugees, but Africans seeking a better life in Europe. We have been informed that 60 per cent of those arriving in Malta have been given humanitarian status, as they come from war-torn countries. We Maltese ,too, lived through a terrible war. We suffered hunger, fear and homelessness. But we all stayed and faced the situation, except for the few who were forcibly sent to Uganda. I don't see why these people should be kept here, especilly as, unlike us, the war was of their own country's making.
Corinne Vella
Feb 25th 2009, 19:08
Dennis Catania: I haven't forgotten Malta, either. I live here, remember? I see you haven't rebranded your campaign to reflect your much publicised and supposed objectives. You said you'd been thinking about doing that for a month. How many more months do you need?
Corinne Vella
Feb 25th 2009, 18:47
Joseph Calleja: I'm not offended by your statement. I was just wondering what homosexuality had to do with the subject being discussed here. Now I see that you hadn't understood the meaning of the expression "coming out of the closet."
Joseph Calleja
Feb 25th 2009, 17:53
Corinne Vella
My statement about coming out of the closet has nothing to do with sexuality, I didn't think anybody has a monopoly on a phrase. Sexuality is the furthest thing on my mind and the statement was meant for the politicians to wake up and crawl out from under the cover and speak out. If you are insulted by the statement, I apologize. Your sexuality is your business. I am not the least interested what sexual tendencies anybody has, especially politicians. Please read the line correctly. What I said is. it's about time all politicians come out of THAT closet. The word is THAT closet, and that has nothing to do with what you are implying. So far I haven't heard any of the politicians complaining about what I said, my concern is the illegal immigration problem. So Corinne, except my apologies if you misread my statement.
Denis Catania
Feb 25th 2009, 17:31
The facebook group Save Malta From illegal Immigration 1 and 2 and it's 5,000 members and still growing applauds Robert Arrigo for hearing our pleas. Thank you for the courage and bravery. Keep up the pressure Malta and the Maltese needs you. Join Jsffrey Pullicino Orlando and let's give the Maltese a victory.
Malta cannot continue with this high influx of illegal immigrants.
Corinne Vella: Before you say anything. Yes I am a concerned Maltese living in the U.S.A. I think all of Malta knows my activism is being done from an office in America. A true Maltese never forgets Malta, no matter where they are and obviously Jeffrey Pullicino Orland and Robert Arrigo are not forgetting Malta either, no matter what office they hold. For that I commend them. Viva Malta.
louise vella
Feb 25th 2009, 15:31
Thanks Robert Arrigo for expressing the views of the vast majority of Nationalists and Labourites. You have been down to earth and reflected the views of your constituents of Msida.
Unfortunately PN MPs I spoke to in Mosta last weekend were satisfied to repeat Gonzi's mantra about so-called "international obligations". If the MPs do not want to shoulder their resposibility I call on Mosta Local Council to hold a public consultation process on the harmful effects of illegal immigration on the town issue of Mosta too. Invite Gonzi to the meeting and take him to see the effects of illegal immigration on Mosta - because it's not only Marsa and Birzebbuga that are suffering. Let Gonzi listen to the common people of Mosta. If Joseph Muscat allows the people of Marsa and Birzebbuga to tell him a few unpleasant truths to his face, why should Gonzi hide behind his so-called "international obligations" and "Maltese values". Nobody knows more about Maltes values than the Maltese people. Let them be consulted.
Muscat.Pat
Feb 25th 2009, 14:59
This is the second Nationalist MP who is contradicting Dr Lawrence Gonzi's statement that Illegal immigrants in Malta are not an urgent problem. The next point for these MP's is to stand up and have their say in Parliament where debates of National importance are held. If these tw MP's do not share the vision of their leader, they should vote against him. This is what demecracy is all about. Illegal immigrants come to Malta for economic reasons and for no other reason. Malta cannot take all the illegal immigrants of the African continent, we are to small.
Corinne Vella
Feb 25th 2009, 14:50
Joseph Calleja: "it's about time all politicians come out of that closet."
You've just accused the entire political class of hiding their homosexuality. I don't imagine that that is what you meant, so why did you say it?
m.muscat
Feb 25th 2009, 14:20
Sportwise I am a Floriana Football supporter but I admit that I have always admired your way of doing things - in an open, honest and genuine way. I have great trust in you and you should persist with your leader about the prevailing situation. You have given a true account of events that unless dealt with immediatelly would have dire consequencies on the Maltese. Each of the points raised deserve deep reflection as they are straight to the point.
People like you, irrespective of the colour they don, show by concrete means, that they are not afraid to tackle a problem, however difficult it is. Yes this problem is a hot potato and needs coperation from all concerned and those who shy from it do not deserve our trust and respect. All problems have a solution though admittedely, some are hard to take, but in this case procrastination should be discarded.
Obviously we can help up to our limits but Malta being no England, Italy, France or Germany but a small tiny island would suffer what others suffered in 30 years, in just one year. So I encourage others to enhance the concerns of Mr.Arrigo and the Maltese.
R Axisa
Feb 25th 2009, 14:14
Dear Mr Arrigo
You should have written this letter to your own boss, as when JM raised this problem in parliament to be discussed on that day due to its urgency, Dr Gonzi replied that he cannot understand the urgency JM was referring to. Otherwise, all the Maltese are convinced about its urgency and importance, only Dr Gonzi thinks otherwise.
L..Galea
Feb 25th 2009, 13:30
"The food, and the total service Malta provides, comes at a price, and it is the taxpayer that is forking out millions of euros yearly. The town tissue is fast eroding in places like Msida, where hundreds of foreigners live, as I find in my house visits, coupled with loitering and a sudden rise in petty theft. Foreigners knock on doors looking for food or something to steal."
Thank you Robert for at least recognizing the burden being put on the Maltese citizens through crass incompetence of those leading Malta.
Approximately 13,000 illegal immigrants X €30 daily = €213,525,000 just to keep them in 18 months detention.
Approximately 13,000 illegal immigrants X €30 daily = €142, 350,000 yearly.
Add pocket money for each illegal immigrant, water & electricity bills, telephones and cards, mobiles, internet, three square meals daily, taking the jobs of Maltese workers, the burden on the Health services, working in the black economy without paying taxes and NI, ....
Add soldiers and police wages, fuel for vehicles, ships, aircraft, helicopters, maintenance, repairs of damages caused by illegal immigrants.....
Have a look at http://www.cnimalta.org/il.html
Kurt Mifsud
Feb 25th 2009, 13:19
Mr Arrigo, it was your leader who declined the need for a debate regarding this issue and is ignoring Muscat's proposals
Joseph Galea
Feb 25th 2009, 13:18
Cannot a bi-partisan (or multi-party) group be formed by Government and given the mandate to come up with concrete, legal and humanitarian options of how to deal with this serious problem? Perhaps in this way we can do away with all the current posturing, hot air and racial rhetoric, which regrettably do not move us an iota closer to a solution.
Joe Vassallo
Feb 25th 2009, 12:27
I cannot understand Mr. Arrigo’s comments re “political football”.
What does he expect the Opposition to do – does he want the LP to simply agree with whatever Government does or say??
How can it, when Govt is not doing or saying anything about this issue.
The fact that the LP’s motion for an urgent debate in Parliament has been ridiculed by the Government says a lot for how genuine the Nationalists are when they talk of consensus and solving problems as “one nation”.
Joseph Calleja
Feb 25th 2009, 12:02
@Robert Arrigo MP (Nationalist), St Julians
I have been making these same points for the last year. You are right, the EU is not going to solve our illegal immigration problem, neither is the government nor the UNCHR and the rest. The bubble is full and it's about to burst. This problem is starting to effect every Maltese citizen.This is the first time that politicians like you are starting to bring this problem in the open. It's about time the elected officials take charge of the situation and start doing what's good for Malta and the Maltese. Mr Arrigo, it's about time all politicians come out of that closet. Malta is in deep doo doo with more illegal immigrants arriving every month, if it's not stopped, it will get worse. SAVE MALTA NOW
Gerard Cassar
Feb 25th 2009, 11:53
Once Mr.Arrigo can and is justified to write about illegal immigration and requests not to be consdidered as a member of a team of political football, then any contribution by L.P. members are to be considered non political too. His remark or rather inuendo is out of order.
Suzanne Buttigieg
Feb 25th 2009, 11:28
I expect the EU to take URGENT measures against Libya regarding this problem. They are encouraging the migrations as part of their political program.
I expected a different "Rebbiegha Gdida" four years ago.
Kurt Mifsud
Feb 25th 2009, 10:40
At least EU countries should help and absorb illegal immigrants between them. Just because we're the first land to be found in an open sea doesn't mean we take them all. If the EU countries don't want to help then the govt should just put a STOP and if any of these countries complains or says something just send them to that place.
jesmond agius
Feb 25th 2009, 10:02
When we stop talking no sense and the hipocrats stop playing the saints , and we REALY say enough to all this insane situation mybe we can achieve something!!!!!
in the mean time we keep the red carpet on.
d. borg
Feb 25th 2009, 09:47
It's good to see another member from the govt side expressing his views and being realistic about the problems they're causing to our country. Arrigo is here agreeing with what the majority of the Maltese have been saying all along that the solutions must be found by ourselves. We cannot rely on EU or the international community. It won't work. Gonzi wake up before it's too late. Listen to what the people are telling you and take action now!
J.Scicluna (Rabat)
Feb 25th 2009, 09:32
If Malta had to emulate Australia in their solution to the problem by saying "STOP!" and not taking in any more, I'm sure that the VAST majority of the Maltese would applaude the Government for it's stand.