Last Thursday, a public holiday, the Roman Catholic Church celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception, one of the most important Marian feasts in the liturgical calendar. I had planned to visit some friends but the bad weather made me to change my mind. With time on my hands, I decided to nose-dive into a heap of files, papers, books, compact discs, magazines of all sorts and junk mail which has amassed on a chair in the corner of the box room at home. While sorting, the CD “The very best” by Chris Rea surfaced. Rea is the English singer-songwriter, recognisable for his distinctive husky voice. He is also an outstanding guitar player. The track “Nothing to fear” is one of my favourite songs of all times. Of course, nothing beats “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple. You may wish to follow “Nothing to fear” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWHGqXY5jCk
The gist of the song “Nothing to fear” is about a European man, initially sceptic, meeting Muslims on their own land, with their traditions and culture. The song was written at a time when the world was frightened of the Russians. Now we have to be frightened of Muslims. As if all Muslims are terrorists, much as not all Christians are saints. A lot of Muslims, as in all other religions, hold tight to basic values; values that, in my view, are much needed everywhere, not least in Malta and not least by politicians. Perhaps we need to be wary of sheep in wolves’ clothing.
As this piece will be published on 13 December, I am duty bound to recognise the importance of one of the five national public holidays. Malta today commemorates the founding of Malta as a Republic in 1974, with the Armed Forces taking the lead during the official ceremonies, and the subsequent investiture and medal-giving ceremony by the President of Malta.
But the true significance of the Marian feast and the founding of the Republic will have no significance in people’s lives if those holding public office fail to commit themselves conscientiously to the duties assigned to them. A case in point is the alleged case of corruption in which Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment, is embroiled.
It is not my intention to pass comments on Minister Bartolo before the competent authorities investigate exhaustively and extensively the alleged case of corruption which has rocked his ministry. From the onset, I have to admit that I have considered Mr Bartolo to be a seasoned and upright politician. Until these allegations of corruption came to light, I looked at him as one of the remaining few masters in the PL group.
However I have to express my disappointment with the speech Mr Bartolo delivered on Monday 6 December in the House. Under pressure, Mr Bartolo caved in. Yes, I can understand Minister Bartolo’s infuriation. But referring to various biblical personalities to exculpate his responsibility did not help his cause. But this was not enough. Minister Bartolo saw fit to stress his point by referring to a number of MPs sitting on the Opposition benches as “Pharisees”. Whether those sitting on the Opposition benches can be labelled Pharisees or Samaritans is a completely different issue which would need meticulous reflection; however, this is not the issue here.
If the argument put forward by Mr Bartolo had to be accepted, then there is little hope that these small Islands will make the much desired leap forward. It should not be acceptable if, in their defence, politicians caught in alleged cases of corruption bring out from the cupboard quasi similar cases from the previous administration. A change in government should not see the reverse of the same coin, but rather a higher step on the accountability scale. In this regard, Dr Simon Busuttil, leader of the Opposition and the PN, did not allow the alleged case of corruption in which Minister Bartolo is embroiled in to slip through his fingers. As a matter of fact, Dr Busuttil hammered, yet again, on the cases of corruption by which this government is infested. He affirmed that a change in government would see a new beginning, giving a ray of hope to one and all.
Only then, the representatives of the legislative, executive and judiciary and the people of the tiniest Republic within the European Union can sing loud but serenely the Te Deum while commemorating the five national public holidays.
Until then people ought to stand up and be counted. There is nothing to fear.
[email protected]