Salvu Mallia, the popular host of recently axed programme Madwarna, believes that a radical change is needed, both within PBS as well as a change in the mentality of the public. He expresses his concern for the many who close an eye when politicians do not act appropriately, and explains that it is every Maltese citizens' duty to be aware and speak out when they feel Malta needs defending.
Mr Mallia, despite admitting he has a comfortable life, said he has not taken a decision on whether to contest the next elections, and showed his support for co-founder of Partit Demokratiku, Marlene Farrugia.
Did the news that Madwarna would no longer be part of PBS' schedule come as a surprise?
Stopping the show did not come as a surprise, it would have been a surprise had they continued the show. The situation is a complete joke.
Madwarna spent six seasons on air, and it had grown because of popular demand. From the start I found a certain level of opposition at PBS. I do not know why. I think there are many elements at play, political elements and professional jealousy.
You had publicly supported then Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat before the last election. What changed?
Contrary to what people say, I voted for Joseph Muscat because the PN were in government for too long. Many people became greedy. At the beginning, I was happy when PN came into power in 1987 because Malta had been turned into a dumpster. I believe that Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami saved Malta from a civil war.
After 25 years they [the PN] lost the impact they had and were no longer effective, which is when Joseph Muscat appeared on the scene. He promised heaven on earth, and as a person who loves Malta I decided to back him.
From the beginning we found problems – we found out he was renting out his own car for official use. From this point I realised something was not right. I did not dwell on this too much because all politicians can be greedy.
The catalyst for my change in views on Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was Zonqor point. For me this was the government laughing in the face of people. The project is just a money-maker. From this point things took a turn for the worse. Dr Muscat dropped his mask and showed his true colours. After, we saw that obscene New Year's Day video, and the statements made by his wife. This all has led me to believe that Dr Muscat has nothing to offer. For him money is the priority – it shows he has a poor understanding of culture, and therefore a poor level of education. He is still quite young – at 40 years old a man is at the point in his life where he is the most ambitious. He got lucky because he found professionals, who had an interest in backing him, and in turn helped to get him in power.
I blame the PN for pushing me into believing Joseph Muscat, a person who I believe is worth nothing.
Imagine, this is a man who thinks that the best countries in the world are those of Dubai and Singapore. This is a man who has shown no love to the PL, because they are acting like it is a right-wing, capitalist party. He has perverted the party.
These are the reasons why a quality show was stopped. For me, it is not the end of the world. I have a comfortable life. I have already been approached about hosting another show on another station.
Have you been approached about hosting a show on another station?
I am 64, I am a pensioners – it is a comfy life, so I am not sure if I am going to take up any such offers. I am ready to give up my comfortable life however, should I really feel that my country needs me,"
Was the decision to stop the programme a political one?
"I can imagine two reasons: political ones and professional jealousy; PBS gave us no reasons however. They sent the production house a letter with the news.
"Last year they tried to stop the show too. They offered me another show, Maltarti, for their own reasons. I am not a PBS employee however, so I believe that before offering me a spot on another show I should be consulted first. It seems that consultations do not take place any longer.
Maltarti was eventually given to TV-host Ray Calleja.
For you, what is the biggest disappointment?
We are selling off Malta for money, giving citizenship to people who could be criminals. We could be selling our passports to the Pope, the fact that it is being given in exchange for money is shameful.
If we want to honour someone by making them a Maltese citizen, fine. We cannot do this against payment however, it is unacceptable.
For me, to sell off Maltese passports, Maltese citizenship for money is completely shameful. Even if we were dying of hunger we should not be doing this. Now we are bringing in all these passport buyers, who come to Malta to enjoy its beauty and the environment – then we take decisions to destroy the environment. Do we know what we are doing?
Have you ever been asked not to publicly criticise the government?
"On the contrary, I was invited on programmes to speak about the Panama scandal. In any case, I would not have been able to comply had I been asked to be quiet, because it is my duty as a citizen to speak out about such things. The most important duty of a child is to defend its mother. Therefore, the most important duty of a citizen is to defend its country.
"To all those who thought I was foolish for speaking out, I pity you. These are the kind of people who get walked all over, and say thank you.
"The sacrosanct duty of all Maltese is to oppose all those perverting the country. We are now in a situation where those who do their duty get left behind, while those who are stealing based on extensive circumstantial evidence, are allowed to continue.
"What hurts is that the ministers, who we call the honest ones, are not quite honest. People like Education and Employment Minister Evarist Bartolo, former Environment Minister Leo Brincat and Government Whip Godfrey Farrugia are actually the worst. These people publicly showed their belief that Minister Konrad Mizzi should be removed and ended up backing him in Parliament.
Have you seen a change in the way PBS is run from one administration to the next?
"I have never had a good relationship with PBS. If we want to be honest, I think a big part of it is the contributors. These are people who have always treated successful production teams badly.
"We take a long time to get paid, as you know. What has changed is before you had to fight to get paid after six months, after this government came into power it started to take about a year, a year and a half, because they have no money.
"These are the same people who spend €80,000 on a coat for the Eurovision which did not even get used. These are the same people who spend so much money on the Eurovision, which brings us nothing, maybe to put some money in someone's pocket.
To waste so much money on a three minute song, when other countries do not give the competition so much weight, is unacceptable. There is a need for a radical change at PBS, but also a radical change in the way people think in this country. We need a revolution of the way people think in this country".
Under which CEO was the decision taken?
"According to newly appointed CEO John Bundy, it was under Mr Anton Attard that the decision was taken.
"I told him [Mr Bundy], if you are a real man, you would resign. He is not a real man unfortunately, because he did not. Funnily enough in Malta, the only person with a pair (….) happens to be a woman – Marlene Farrugia."
What can you tell me about rumours that you will be contesting the election with Partit Demokratiku?
"I am not linked with any party – because unless they can concretely stick to their guns, I cannot continue an alliance. I am a bit of a loner, and parties must consider me dangerous because I speak out. I have spoken with Marlene Farrugia many times, I respect and support her.
I have not taken the decision whether to contest the next elections – however I will continue to work in order to remove this government. This is so because many of the reasons why I voted for this government turned out not to be true, things like meritocracy and transparency have not been delivered.
"At the beginning I had a good relationship with the government, especially Minister Owen Bonnici. I did not start with criticising the government, but when I saw the level of capitalism which was pushed and the scandals that emerged, it made me lose my faith.
Like other popular shows which have been cancelled, why should Madwarna be treated differently?
"It did not feel as though Madwarna's time was up after just six seasons. Demand was growing and it was a show which taught the public about Maltese culture.
"At the end of the day, my conscience is clear and I worked hard to create a quality, informative and educative programme. I hope that some similar show is aired, for the sake of bringing culture and education to the public but I do not foresee this happening.
"The problem is that if we do not sit down, and seriously consider changing our mentality, we will not recognise Malta in 20 years' time.
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