Remember when Dr Lawrence Gonzi prophetically stated that under Labour you are embarrassed to say you are Maltese and under the Nationalist Party you are proud to be Maltese?  Well, we are sorry to admit it, but that, for many,is the truth.

National pride has sunk into the mud and it will be buried there for the foreseeable future.

This, after all that money and effort was put into unveiling unshapely monuments, laying out the red carpets and calling all the European leaders to admire Malta, followed by the showcasing to Her Majesty and the Commonwealth leaders.

We now have a leader who wants to bicker at the Italian government over a claim staked by a reporter of an investigative TV programme rather than extend the hand of friendship and dignified concern over a problem that, rightly or wrongly, has impacted on an Italian firm who had invested work and pride into the Renzo Piano parliament building. If anything, acknowledge the contribution that Italy made towards achieving this real monument to national pride before making a joke of the matter.

But our cause for embarrassment does not end there.  It goes even deeper as we now find our country facing roughly the same controversy, or worse, as South Africa is today.

South Africa's highest court is to rule whether President Jacob Zuma should pay back $15 million of state funds used to renovate one of his private residences. Two separate cases for misuse of state funds have been brought to the country's constitutional court by opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters.

The saga has compounded public discontent towards Zuma, who also sparked outrage in December when he dismissed the well-respected finance minister Nhlanhla Nene.

The firing came after the National Treasury refused to approve several controversial deals, including between South African Airways and Airbus, and one to fund a one trillion rand ($50 billion) nuclear deal with Russia, and was interpreted as proof of Zuma's inclination to remove anyone that stands in his way.

At least, in South Africa, the court is hearing a proper case brought by opposition parties.  The same cannot be said of the case brought by the Prime Minister or his alter ego in the aftermath of the NAO report on the Lands affair, which is already clouded in confusion even before it begins. 

The best in Europe.  That is what we were told Malta would be under Labour.  Well, well.  I’ll be darned.  Bonfire of the Vanities is more like it.

Simply on a human level, we are embarrassed by the cold and rigid mind of a leader when Australia Hall was coolly lifted from court and tossed into the labour party treasury and again when the appeal and delaying tactics are used in court in the case of the two seats for the PN. Or when there is no distress whatsoever shown regarding a dispute involving the €3.5 million claimed by Filiberti.  If not a financial problem, it is at the least an issue which should be handled diplomatically. 

Neither is there the slightest concern about removing internal problems and persons by playing with national roles and positions in public service. 

The really disturbing thing is that there are those in government and not just, who actually believe there is a legitimacy and pride in these affairs.   So, a journalist becomes the villain, the opposition receives buckets of scorn, eyebrows get furrowed and sarcasm is the tool for deflection.  Those who would be standing in shame, forced to resign from public office or delivered from court sentences are championed and let loose on the public, free to make any accusations and conflicted arguments they like and given celebratory status and financial rewards for defying reason and honour.

The public are stunned, the leader is smug.  Confusion and shock are skilfully played to intimidate and divide public opinion.

There is no more time left to procrastinate on matters of national pride such as the rule of law, national concern such as justice and constitutional affairs, corruption and good governance.  The country, from the highest office to the ordinary, must move into action now and ensure that all institutions and organisations, from the highest in the land to the laws governing a civil society and good order are protected, respected and used legitimately for the progress of the country.

These institutions are not playthings.  People are not goods to be distributed here and there at the order of one man.  Our land is not a board game winning and losing at the roll of the dice. 

We cannot adopt a wait and see attitude, trusting in the power of political manoeuvres to adjust the course of democracy.  The manner in which our values, our beliefs and our sense of national pride have suffered under this Labour government is not just an embarrassment but a damning indictment of the administration.  Unfortunately things only seem to be getting worse as report after report reveals the extent of wrong doing and no or only superficial responsibility is carried.  And these are just the reports we have seen for there are others which we do not have access to or which are only grudgingly ordered, as time passes and it is hoped that the issue will be buried. 

But that is where the media, especially live Television, is so strong when used as it should be.  Caught in his vanity, Dr Muscat went for the cheese. When he realised the spring was about to be released he tried to make a mad dash for it but quickly got pulled by his tail by the crafty journalist.  Tom and Jerry classic moves. This time he could only react as he knows how – with sarcasm and inverse argument.

Just last week, the same Dr Muscat told his party that they should anticipate change and not wait until it is upon them.  This is what many people found new and exciting about him at the last election.  The only difference is that they expected the same acumen, if that is what it is, to be applied to the country and not just to the political party to which he belongs.  We cannot just alternate from one government to another without understanding the need for change where change is needed and ensuring that every issue will be uncovered and each day will be a journey of pride and passion towards realising higher standards.

If South Africa still has the courage to do it, so should we.