The last thing Malta needs right now is false alarms over the escalating irregular immigration problem.

The new rules of Malta’s Search and Rescue Zone have come into force and have stirred up a hornets’ nest. Some quarters are claiming that the new rules will be detrimental to our interests as a nation, yet the government says it is not true that we will have to bring all migrants from that zone to Malta.

The Government contends that Malta is responsible for the coordination of rescue missions in the new and extended zone, but only those who are in grave danger, or closest to our shores, must be brought here.

When boat people in distress are closer to the port of another country, that country is obliged to take them in.

Others, meanwhile, are saying that this is not the case. This is definitely not an issue over which we can be partisan. It is one of national import-ance and we could be heading for civil unrest if the matter is blown up out of proportion, or stirs up feelings of anger, whether intentionally or not.

We have seen Maltese tempers steadily rising over the impasse that exists between Malta and Europe on the issue. People are becoming restless and, knowing Maltese traits, if we are not careful and responsible in the way in which we deal with the issue, we could be heading for national hysteria.

Perhaps the government might be guilty of not explaining the issue properly and it could be time to convene another national conference on the issue so that all parties, the media included can fully understand the workings of the new concept.

If you ask any regular Joe about his concerns, immigration is undoubtedly going to be one of them. In today’s era of instant information and mass media, people do not like being left in the dark.

But, again, it must be stressed that the issue needs to be well explained, and treated with kid gloves, if necessary.

Information needs to be given to all strata of society, and in different forms, if needs be.

However, it is noted that the Malta Labour Party has thrown itself into the mix by offering the

government its support in dealing with the issue. This is very positive, as at least the often divided Malta can take an official political stance on the subject.

What we sometimes fail to understand in this country is that political parties need to pull together on matters of national importance.

Without going into the merits of the correctness or otherwise of the move, the UK, almost as politically polarised as we are, was politically united in its stance prior to the last Gulf War.

The MLP has long said that it has excellent ties with Libya. So why not send a joint delegation to Libya to try and at least improve the situation from that end?

We cannot afford to be divided on this issue. The government, through the Foreign Ministry, has announced a tougher stance in Europe on irregular migration, and this is music to the country’s ears.

And while Europe is seemingly trying to shelve Malta’s complaints, we must find a way to more funding to equip ourselves with better, and longer-range craft to “police” this new zone. If we do not get that help, then we will not be able to fulfill our obligations and that will only mean one thing – more deaths in the Mediterranean.