The Times of Malta (on-line version - 25-5-2016) considered a news item a post uploaded by Dr. Godfrey Farrugia on his Facebook Page aimed at denigrating the Palumbo Shipyard. The Directors of the Company were kind enough to send Dr. Farrugia an invitation for an Activity Day being held next Sunday. Instead of seizing the opportunity of accepting, Dr. Farrugia decided to tear up the invitation and worse still, he posted a copy of his torn invitation on Facebook, which was reproduced, as a sort of a triumphal prize in the related article. Dr. Farrugia explained his gesture as a sign of protest against the organizer, who happens to be Palumbo. Dr. Farrugia continued to stress that he did this as an act of solidarity with the people of Cottonera.
As a person who lived in Cottonera and is a registered voter in Senglea, I can only describe such a gesture as downright rudeness and certainly not befitting a man in his position. This gesture only goes to show the low opinion that Dr. Farrugia has of the Cottonera people. He must consider us a bunch of “Ħamalli”. Only “Ħamalli” would approve this type of gesture. But unlike what people of the centre, like Dr. Farrugia think, the people of Cottonera are far from being a bunch of “Ħamalli”. Therefore I am not grateful to him for such behaviour. With his gesture, Dr. Farrugia has not only insulted the residents of Cottonera but he has also insulted individuals like myself whose family roots are inCottonera.
Furthermore, I am convinced that this gesture was not prompted by any genuine feeling of solidarity with the people of Cottonera. The sincere people of Cottonera do not want to be part of these dirty political antics. Dr. Farrugia should remember that corrupt practices were the real cause that dragged our Dockyards to financial ruin in the past.
Indeed, I must confess, I find Dr. Farrugia'sbehaviour extremely worrisome. It is even more perturbing that such a gesture is coming from one of the Deputies of our Parliament who also happens to be the Government Whip. As a registered voter on the district, I declare that this gesture is not being done in my name. And I would expect more decorum from a Government Whip. It can only be interpreted as a political message to the rest of the Labour MPs to boycott this activity and Joseph Calleja’s concert.
It is extremely ironic that when our Dockyards are finally making a profit while respecting the laws of Malta, others committed to wage war on Palumbo. It is incongruous that once the dockyards have started to show respect towards the residents of the area and even sponsors their activities, othersare launching uncalled for actions void of decorum.
Judging for what I hear from my Labourite friends in Senglea and Bormla, they have only words of gratitude for Palumbo. Some have even started to air in public their concern about these systematic attacks against Polumbo. I wish to make it clear that while I have no relationship with Palumbo, I have to admit that my stand in defending him and the shipyard has earned me new friends in Senglea for which I’m grateful.
As a committed Catholic, Dr. Farrugia should remember the parable of those guests who tore up the invitation to attend a marriage banquet(Matthew 22:1-14). Their place was taken by the most humble and the unpretentious; meanwhile the rude and pretentious elite lost the respect that they previously had enjoyed. This is what will be happening to you Dr. Farrugia. By your action, you not only denigrated the people of Cottonera but also insulted leading Maltese talent that is being brought over toCottonera to entertain the public.
One should remember that this is the first time that the shipyards are organizing a fun activity day of such a high profile for the general public. The aim of the organizers is to introduce the people of Malta in general and those of the area to the shipyards. As one who has been studying this sector for the past 20 years or more, and has also published scientific papers on the subject, I am sure that Cottonera can only gain from such activities. No doubt these activities are going to be well organized and will help the people of the area to find their lost soul. If Palumbo succeeds in instilling some lost pride, this would be biggest achievement and investment that has taken place in the area after the Second World War.
Let’s think positive. Thanks to this story, Palumbo got free publicity about Sunday’s activity. I am one who got to know about it from Dr. Farrugia’s indecorous action and together with my family, I will be definitely attending.