Local artists Kenneth Zammit Tabona and Kevin Drake said that it would be premature for them to pronounce themselves on the controversy surrounding the appointment of former Labour secretary general Jason Micallef as chairman of the Valletta 2018 Foundation.

Hours after Parliamentary Secretary for Culture  Josè Herrera announced that Mr Micallef would replace architect David Felice at the helm of the V18 Foundation, the PN lambasted this decision, describing it as the  ‘worst advertisement’ that government could have made for the capital city.

The Malta Independent online contacted Mr Zammit Tabona and Mr Drake, who openly endorsed the PL during the election campaign, for their views about Mr Micallef’s credentials in the cultural field.

Kevin Drake said that only time will tell whether Mr Micallef is up to the job. He added that it is still early days to make any sort of judgement, but remarked that he fails to understand what all this controversy is about.

His views were echoed by Mr Zammit Tabona who declined to pronounce himself directly saying that he is not well acquainted with Mr Micallef . The “proof of the pudding is in the eating”, he said, making the point that it is not uncommon in Malta for “people to be assassinated by reputation”. 

He added that Mr Micallef has the resources behind him to do a good job since he is supported “by a strong team lead by artistic director Wayne Marshall”. He said that Mr Micallef’s role has more to do with the organisational aspect of the event rather than content itself.

Meanwhile an online petition to remove Mr Micallef, which was started a few days ago, has attracted 548 signatures. The petition originated from the United Kingdom  by a certain Robert Muscat, from Liverpool, who argues that this position should have been filled by somebody who enjoys unanimous support from the House of Representatives and by a “a person who truly reflects Maltese unity and identity”.