This week, a hearty congratulations is owed to our police force, whether aided by foreign police or not. (Interesting though, that we started out with the Dutch police and ended up with the Finnish force). It is truly laudable that they seem to have found out the perpetrators of the horrible crime in which Daphne was an innocent victim. It is important though, to note that their work has only just started. The essential factor they still have to discover is the person/s who is/are behind the crime, in a word: who ordered the killing and why they did this. This is now their mission, because these key questions still need to be answered.
The persons arrested are simply minions in the pay of someone much bigger than them. They are the dangerous small fry; the police have now to deploy all their efforts to catch the lethal, big, stinking fish. Not an easy task, by any means – but one where all efforts (national, foreign or both) have to be deployed, and no economic, social or political stone left unturned. The filth under any – or all – of these stones must be brought out, so that the criminal deaths that have been occurring all too often in our country are finally brought to an end, and the true mystery behind Daphne’s death –who is behind the killing and what was their interest in removing her – is finally unravelled, and justice done. I would therefore like to wish them the best in the hope that sheer determination to push forward, and stop at nothing and no one – however trivial or important - will bring the truth to light.
This week has also seen Michelle Muscat nominated as ‘volunteer of the year’. While I warmly congratulate her on her award, I feel that given her rank and advantage, it would be very noble of her to decline it and declare that volunteer work is practically part and parcel of the job that comes with being the Prime Minister’s wife.
One simple example is that of Kate Gonzi, who had worked hard and indefatigably to raise awareness about mental illness. It would be a lovely gesture if Ms Muscat were to insist that the award be given to an unidentified Maltese who does not have access to her publicity and means, but who quietly goes about helping others who are less fortunate. It would certainly raise her profile in many people’s eyes. After all, her work has now been recognised by a private community organisation, ‘Celebrating Women International’, based in Nassau City, in the Bahamas, that advocates women’s rights.
The week has also seen a series of articles, in various newspapers, about the threat to the autonomy of the University of Malta, and how important it is that this is preserved for the benefit of the country. All these articles said the same thing. All were written by serious academics, who are – or have been – engaged in research and lecturing. All are in agreement that the proposed law concerning the university will, ultimately, be of great harm. They are voicing the general feeling at university, both among academics and students, who have explicitly told the Minister that a governing body above University Council is a wrong and dangerous path to follow. One of the direct consequences of this proposal would be to disempower the rector – render him or her a puppet in the hands of three or five ‘wise men’ (sic.) or women.
The rector’s role is to provide direction and vision to the university and consequently, to the country’s development in research and innovation. In this task, s/he is currently aided by a carefully tiered system, which works. Why change it for something that is top-down, and ultimately deleterious, unless there is a political purpose to weaken the university’s leader, and therefore, the university itself? May the Christmas spirit bring some enlightenment to the ministerial team who are pursuing this wrong direction, to reconsider and retract. The Christmas fairy will provide them with a wonderful present of which they may not yet be totally aware – an academically robust and energetic staff, who are motivated to push research and international recognition further and thereby, bring positive international attention to, and interest in, our beloved country.