How disappointed and dejectedI felt after reading Martin Scicluna’s unfair and biased assessment (December 17) of the situation we are living in after Daphne Caruana Galizia’s brutal assassination.
There are so many realities making up our society that one finds it difficult to give a clear picture in a single statement. One reality is sure, though, partisan politics has blurred our vision of the real Malta we are living in. Whatever the exaggerations, fake news and blind faith in partisan politics, one cannot sincerely conclude that we are living in a normal healthy democracy.
How untrue is Scicluna’s judgement when he suspects “that many of those leading the cry for democracy and the rule of law have only one objective: to face a new election”.
Why does Scicluna conclude that all of us see things with either blue or red blinkers? Why aren’t those of us who really want the good of Malta and who sincerely feel concerned about the trampling of our autonomous institutions and the crumbling of the rule of law, not considered as citizens of goodwill really preoccupied about the alarming situation in Malta?
In order to show one and all how normal life in Malta is, after Caruana Galizia’s murder, Scicluna eulogises on our nation stating that: “Malta is still a functioning country. Freedom of expression is alive and well. Children go to school in towns and villages with shining faces and smart uniforms. Everywhere you will find the welcome and the helpfulness of people. The country is most prosperous for hundreds of miles around.”
I also happen to be one of those citizens who, exteriorly, seem to be living a normal life. I go about carrying out my duties with a smile, when possible, but this does not mean that I am not worried and concerned about the present situation on our island. No, I don’t feel that I am living a normal, healthy democratic life in Malta. The fact that MEPs from the whole political spectrum came over to assess the rule of law in Malta does in no way show that things are normal.
Life in Malta can turn back to normality only if all of us are sincere with ourselves, admit our shortcomings and failures, put our partisan politics behind us and focus, mainly, on the common good. The reality that Caruana Galizia, an outspoken journalist, without fear or favour, has been murdered in broad daylight, here in Malta, which is considered to be a democratic country, is not normal at all.
Unless we put in the forefront those ethical principles and moral values so much needed for our society to be healthy and inclusive, there is no hope that normality shall be the order of the day.