In May, I went to renew my passport. I have dual citizenship (Australian and Maltese) and have held my Maltese passport for many years.

As I was born in Australia and now live in Spain, I have used my Maltese passport to reside in Barcelona.

Unfortunately, I am not allowed to renew the passport and have to apply for a new one. The information I have to give them to receive a new one is totally uncalled for:

I was denied a passport because I failed to produce the latest documents proving my father being a Maltese citizen. Yet, he was born and married in Malta.

As a person whose family is Maltese and holds a Maltese passport, I am disgusted at how Maltese people are being treated while the focus is more on aiding migrants and granting them papers to live in Malta.

I was also told that the birth and marriage certificates must be authentic and signed or stamped by the proper authorities and no copies are allowed, which meant I have to pay €25 for each certificate.

I have a Maltese passport, so what is the problem? And why are they not renewing passports? I also was told that if you are not a resident of Malta, you cannot obtain a passport.

I have spoken to many people and they all gave me different reasons. I now wonder whether it is worth having a Maltese passport or would it be better to just throw away my heritage and disown the country my parents once thought was the best there is.

I am ashamed at the way the government is treating its own people.