It is unacceptable to declare or relegate citizens to second class when they visit their own country, according to Lawrence Dimech, a former Maltese journalist who migrated to Australia in his 20s.
Mr Dimech referred to the “discriminatory manner” in which Maltese citizens living abroad were treated by public transport service providers and the hassle they had to go through to provide proof of citizenship even upon presenting their Maltese passport.
“Malta does not end in Gozo or Comino. Malta is wherever the Maltese are,” Mr Dimech insisted.
It was not just the public transport which did this. When Maltese citizens living abroad presented their passport, issued in Malta, they were told to go to the Citizenship and Expatriate Department to provide proof of citizenship.
“This is bureaucracy going mad. If you are issued a Maltese passport, you are a Maltese citizen, unless there are serious suspicious circumstances,” he exclaimed.
The issue of biometric passports had also become a problem for many, he added, because, although the Maltese were scattered across Australia’s vast continent, they had to go in person to one of only three offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra for fingerprinting and photographing. “Some Maltese live thousands of miles away from these three locations. Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg has promised he will take action,” Mr Dimech said, adding that a friend of his based in Scotland had to travel all the way to London to get his fingerprints taken.
“The authorities must accept the concept of a greater Malta, so Malta is wherever the Maltese are living. The concept of a greater Malta requires that, when laws are drafted, Maltese citizens are taken into account,” he said. “You can’t talk about granting citizenship to Maltese living abroad and then when they come here they are made to feel like foreigners.
“One cannot be a citizen of Malta only when it’s convenient for the government. You are either a citizen or you are not. You cannot be a bit of a citizen. It’s like being pregnant... you cannot be a bit pregnant. You’re either pregnant, or you’re not,” Mr Dimech said.
“Your Maltese passport is your ID. Maltese emigrants have invested money and property here and taxes are still paid on investments. Where else in the world would you need an ID to travel from Sliema to Valletta?
“I’m not asking for the reduced Kartanzjan fare but it’s an insult to question my citizenship,” he insisted.
The revamped bus service brought about a change in fares with tourists paying more than Maltese identity cardholders but Maltese migrants who have dual passports feel the distinction should not apply to them.
“The agreement with Arriva breaks all promises made to Maltese living abroad when dual citizenship was granted after a struggle that lasted some 45 years,” he said.
“It is anticipated that EU citizens will soon be granted the same status as the Maltese when it comes to fares. This will then leave Maltese citizens living abroad the odd ones out,” Mr Dimech said.
The European Commission is still investigating claims by EU nationals living in Malta of “institutional” discrimination in the provision of services by the authorities.
The complaints encompass different tariffs charged to non-Maltese residents for use of public transport, water and electricity and banking services.
The price of a day ticket for Maltese residents is €1.50 while that of a seven-day ticket is €6.50. A day ticket costs tourists and those not in possession of a Maltese ID card €2.60 and the seven-day pass costs €12.
“I’m not a foreigner. I’m very proud to be Maltese. It’s not about having to pay an extra dollar but it’s a matter of pride,” he added.