Claudia Calleja
Former PM back on the campaign trail
Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici (right), who heads CNI, knocked on people's doors to collect signatures for a petition urging Parliament to solve the problem of illegal immigration. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Knocking on people's doors in Marsa, former Prime Minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici yesterday started collecting signatures for a petition calling on Parliament to take urgent action against illegal immigration.
As Dr Mifsud Bonnici and members of the Campaign for National Independence, which he heads, walked through the village centre two young women shouted out that the petition was a racist act.
After a loud exchange of views between one of the young women and a CNI member, where they accused each other of ignorance, the group continued knocking at doors.
Meanwhile, immigrants walked through the square of the village that is home to many since it houses an open centre.
Several people opened the doors of their homes and signed the petition. One woman signed the paper and then asked what it was about. Members also went to bars in the area to collect signatures.
When they stopped in front of a convent, a few women who had just walked out gave their signatures and a nun asked them not to sign anything on the premises.
The petition, written in Maltese, reads: "We the Maltese citizens ask the Maltese Parliament to take immediate and concrete action to stop illegal immigration in our country".
When asked how exactly he wanted Parliament to achieve this, Dr Mifsud Bonnici did not reply. However, he insisted the government was to take measures to stop illegal immigration.
"The majority, 99.9 per cent, of immigrants who come to Malta do not actually want to be here. So they don't want to be refugees here and it's absurd that Malta considers them as refugees once they themselves don't want to stay here," he said.
He stressed that if any immigrants needed saving at sea it was our responsibility to help out.
Asked if the petition could be interpreted as fuelling racist sentiments he said this was not the case. It was the arrival of thousands of immigrants on Malta's shores that was fuelling racist feelings among the locals, he said. By stopping these arrivals there would be no reason for these sentiments to grow.
The nationwide campaign to collect signatures for the petition was launched last week. After combing through all the streets of Marsa, CNI will move on to other localities.
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Denis Catania
Mar 3rd 2009, 17:49
It's a shame if these girls were not arrested when calling an ex Prime Minister a racists and insult him, when facts are not there. The same law should be used against these girls when the President was told he makes a better gardener than a President.
Michael Neville Cassar
Mar 3rd 2009, 17:17
Girls who knows how to insight and instigate hate towards others that do not agree with their views. Well done K.M.B please tell me where, and when, I can sign this petition .
David Seychell
Mar 3rd 2009, 17:01
"The petition, written in Maltese, reads: "We the Maltese citizens ask the Maltese Parliament to take immediate and concrete action to stop illegal immigration in our country".
"two young women shouted out that the petition was a racist act."
So, according to these two women, concrete action to stop illegal immigration is racist!?! How can such ignorance and prejudice still exist today?
deb bugeja
Mar 3rd 2009, 15:23
Although I do not positively view KMB political belief I admire him for taking action into collecting this petition. We need people like him to make the plea to our primeminister
Denis Catania
Mar 3rd 2009, 14:53
According to this article other than the nun asking not to sign anything on premises and the the two girls stalking the petitioners everyone they contacted signed it. Great news.
@The two girls: If you hate Maltese that love Malta. You are a hater.
Alex Spiteri
Mar 3rd 2009, 14:20
Whatever views one has on KMB, although mine were always positive, one cannot but not admire this great man. Although he has no political ambition anymore, he still cares for his country. This is something very rare in modern day politicians, as besides their flashy cars, nice clothes and good looking wives, they are a truly zero when it comes to politics.
KMB is also giving a lesson to us, younger generation, of how one should stand up for what he believes in. whilst most of us, although worried about the situation, are busy playing playstation, having a beer and watching the telly, KMB in his age is touring Malta collecting signatures, for something he believes in!
Joseph Mifsud
Mar 3rd 2009, 13:19
Well done Karm. At last you are doing something that is much desired by the Maltese population. Make our polticians speak what the maltese citizens want them to act about. Solve this mass illegal immigration to our islands. Its their responsabiltiy to come up with solutions. They are the ones who are elected to bring our aspirations forward. If they don't come up with any solutions than they all can pack up.
Once again Prosit Karm, and if you succeed in this one I can assure you that we will forget about the fiasco you was in the eighties when leading our country. Never too late.l
Tonio Azzopardi
Mar 3rd 2009, 13:14
Sunday, 26th October 2008, The Sunday Times reported that ''KMB picked up Gaddafi prize for Mintoff''. Since the illegal immigration issue seems to origin from a particular port - location in Libya and Mintoff happens to be a good friend of the Liyan leader,maybe KMB (in Mintoff's absence and acting as his proxy) can save on running around banging on doors and take a fligth to Libya and advise Colonel Gaddafi about this matter. I am sure that the Colonel will reward him for this 'vital' information, (which to date it seems that such information has not penetrated an inch within his bedouin tent )and can very well line KMB up for the next award...
Charles Sammut
Mar 3rd 2009, 10:16
It seems that only Gonzi and CMB do not appreciate the gravity of the matter.
Mario Micallef
Mar 3rd 2009, 10:09
Well Done to Dr Mifsud Bonnici...although im not sympathetic of his views about the EU...he has thumbs up for this initiative...keep it going...only 1 nation can survive on this land...