From Mr N. P. J. Fenech

I immediately froze, nothing to do with the chilly weather but stunned by the news that another 227 illegal immigrants had made it to the island last week. That makes it approximately 750 illegal immigrants in less than a month.

As a Christian, like most of us hopefully are, I believe in kindness and charity. But first I believe that charity begins at home. I am against all matters that are illegal.

It’s about time the Maltese took a stand on the issue of illegal immigrants and not just express their personal opinion in their usual gossip column and wash their hands of the matter, leaving the issue to be handled by the authorities. Are we forgetting our history and the turmoil we, as citizens of these islands, went through to gain our independence and freedom?

Illegal immigration is another form of human trafficking and cartels are making stacks of money. We, as believers of freedom, should not allow human dignity to be abused in such manner, then moan and grumble. It’s about time we think deeply about the illegal immigration issue, and not just sit contentedly on the sofa in the comfort of our home secluded from the outside world, watching the media interpret reality, then feel sorry for our comrades in the local defence forces when the illegal immigrants rebel against how they are being treated.

The issue is not tied to any partisan agenda; all representatives of the people should shoulder responsibility on the matter and not debate on how the government is handling the situation. Representatives of the people are to show off their national pride and not their Cheshire cat grins in the eyes of the electorate. Wake up as the situation has escalated and the authorities are only controlling the part where the immigrants are restrained in confined spaces. Those who are integrated into the community can roam about freely. Many times the immigrants kept in confined spaces go haywire, and we have seen this in recent riots when our local defense forces are not enough to control the odds. If we continue accepting illegal immigrants in such hordes the whole issue will blow up in our faces.

The EU is rationally and within regional limitations helping. The fact that Italy and Libya are patrolling the waters might divert the illegals to our shores. At present, we have enough problems on our plate; the global recession and unemployment are top of the agenda.

Can Members of Parliament spare us some dignity and pride? We have to prioritise our issues because if we will keep on accepting all those who enter our territory illegally, none of us Maltese will be left to enjoy our national heritage.

So for our children’s sake and that of future generations, take the bull by the horns and surpass the illegal immigration issue so that you will be known of in the annals of history as the saviours of a patriotic nation and not otherwise.

Nicholas P. J. Fenech

SLIEMA