Angelo Zahra, Żejtun
Discrimination in government service
"It is a well known fact that there are many Labour supporters in government departments who use their network to favour Labour supporters and cause Nationalist supporters to moan against 'their' government."
The above is part of the Talking Point by Salvu Felice Pace (June 16). Honestly I did not believe that the above was written In The Times. I tried to ignore it but my instinct did not leave me quiet so I have to reply.
I challenge Mr Felice Pace to name only one person - a Labour supporter - who was appointed chairman or even a member of a board in the various authorities or boards by the Nationalist government. It was always the norm of Nationalist governments to fill such posts with Nationalist sympathisers of the inner circle. Before the last election it was promised that boards and authorities would be appointed after calls for applications but this never happened and boards or authorities continued to be filled only by Nationalist supporters of the inner circle.
I also challenge Mr Felice Pace to mention only one appointment in government service which was filled with a Labour supporter by his Nationalist government. I dare say that not even Nationalist supporters of the second category were considered.
I therefore challenge Mr Felice Pace to specifically mention such alleged cases where Labour supporters were favoured by the Labour network in the government service with the specific aim that PN supporters would moan against "their" government. To my knowledge Nationalist sympathisers who are not of the inner circle are second- class citizens, and Labour supporters are only treated as third class citizens, let alone left at liberty to build networks to help fellow Labour supporters.
Statements like the above only create hatred and advocate an increase of discrimination against Labour supporters of which there were many instances under the Nationalist administration. I know what I am saying since I was one of many who suffered discrimination after the 1987 change of government.
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A. Zahra
Jun 25th 2009, 17:57
@ Mario Xureb.
I can assure you that all the persons I mentioned never hid their political leanings. Indeed some were very active in the MLP. All you have to do is to consult their MEP electoral literature.
@ Jeremy J. Cammilleri. None had their career terminated because of their political beliefs. Only one very rightly resigned from a chairmanship because of disagreement with Government policy on the furure of the entity he/she headed.
May I also point out that my good friend, Dr. George Abela, a former deputy leader of the MLP was only a few months ago nominated President of Malta by the Nationalist Government and a few weeks ago voted into the Presidency by both the NP and the LP. Now can a Government go further than that?
Again I advise you to remove your blinkers and you will discover a benign government and a much more pleasant Malta.
Edgar Gatt
Jun 25th 2009, 16:29
A. Zahra.
Dr. Censu Moran was a member for 8 years on the Malta Maritime Authority Board., during a Nationalist administration, and may I add he was a very respected board member .As you challenged anyone to mention just one name of a Labour supporter (more than a supporter, he was a Minister under labour) I hope this satisfies your lack of knowledge re current affairs
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jun 25th 2009, 14:35
AZahra...Good, now can you explain the way in which these careers ended?
Perhaps you could also enlighten us in which way these people used a network to favour Labour supporters....
Come on, you sound liek a brilliant detective....give us fodder...
Mario Xuereb
Jun 25th 2009, 14:31
@A Zahra
Could it be that all the person's you mention were at the time of their appointment thought of as being Nationalist,or at the very least supporters?. It could even be that they were Nationalists at the time, who like many thousands of others since, have become disillusioned by the PN.
Your argument is flawed or at least economical with the truth
A. Zahra
Jun 25th 2009, 12:11
In response to Mr. Zahra's challenge to name Labour persons appointed chairmen of authorities or boards by the Nationalist Government, I will mention the former Chairman of Air Malta, the Labour MEP Mr. Louis Grech; the former Chairman of the MCESD, newly elected Labour MEP Mr. Edward Scicluna who was also served this government as Chairman of the MFSA, Director of the Central Bank, NECC board member etc, etc; the former chairperson of Sea Malta and Labour MEP candidate Mrs. Marliene Mizzi. I also recall that a former chairman of Malta Drydocks Corporation offered his resignation from that post when it was revealed that in his personal capacity, he was advising the Labour Party. I also recall that his resignation was not accepted by his Nationalist Minister. I personally know of many other persons, supporters of the Labour Party, who have occupied or currently occupy sensitive Civil Service posts ,sit on Government Boards etc. Remove your blinkers Mr. Zahra and you will discover many more valid persons of Labour orientation serving this government in sensitive posts.
Carmel Attard
Jun 25th 2009, 11:29
Congratulations for your reply. I have suffered the same fate under the Nationalist Government.