So that we may be free – Brian Decelis

It is said that Freedom Day, celebrated on Thursday, marks the day that Malta terminated its colonial connection and fully became the master of its own destiny.

However, this freedom has not been extended to its citizens whose successive governments have toyed with their personal freedoms as part of a systemic political game. Today, more than ever, I feel that our individual freedom is, in fact, very limited.

The election exercise that we have just come out of is a stark example of how this country has not moved much from that eventful day. Instead of being subservient to a foreign country, most of us today feel they cannot act freely due to the pressure exerted – directly or indirectly – by the political powers that be.

Likewise, in turn, even those politicians with a conscience from the main parties find themselves answerable to certain interests, who fund them and expect underhanded favours in return. Therefore, it is not truly the people in charge but the hidden lobbies, undermining our regulatory bodies.

If anybody complains, they risk losing their job, getting vindictively transferred, if they work for the government, or missing out on lucrative business opportunities. To...