I don’t want to live in a Dubai in the Mediterranean

In the run-up to the 2013 election one of my main concerns centred on how far would Joseph Muscat go in imposing the fashionable Asian model of development and democracy on us.

My greatest fears were mainly confined to democracy, migration and environmental justice, and unfortunately this government has justified my fears in a few cases.

However, while the government has retracted its initial hawkish stand on migration, which culminated in the botched plan to push back migrants to Libya, I cannot see Muscat performing a U-turn in his drive to turn Malta into a Dubai in the Mediterranean.

Nowadays, Labour’s blend of neoliberalism, nationalism, and social liberalism has become a hegemonic discourse which dismisses opponents of development and investment as primitive outcasts.

At times detractors are even accused of betraying the country and hindering the ‘sacrosanct’ right to economic growth.

What was once an extravagance has become indispensable under this administration. Where markets did not exist, this government has intervened to create new ones, especially in education and health care.

Neoliberalism has become a persuasive hegemonic discourse, which has become so ingrained in everyday life that the world is exclusively sensed and understood through its lenses.

What supposedly was a social-democrat party has become an investment firm acting on behalf of its shareholders and clients.

This has led to the inevitability of projects which are sold to us as the game-changing creators of wealth and jobs. Deluded dreams of revolution turned into politics of revulsion. What supposedly was a social-democrat party has become an investment firm acting on behalf of its shareholders and clients. What once was a Cabinet of ministers is now a board of directors.  

Some months ago, Joseph Muscat and the Marsascala local council were among those who shot down a ludicrous proposal to build three hotels in the southern part of the island.

The proposal put forward by the enlightened duo made up of MP Silvio Parnis and developer Sandro Chetcuti, included the development of a hotel in Zonqor Point in Marsaskala.

Now, according to Muscat, the pristine site which was not suitable for a hotel is suitable for a construction project under the guise of an American university.

The touristic development championed by Parnis and Chetcuti was immediately dismissed by Muscat and his pawns but a few months down the line they’re suddenly in favour of the construction of a private university by a largely unknown Jordanian construction firm which they claim will attract tourism and create jobs in the ‘south’.

Confused? No need to be. Money is the new religion and the congregation of wealth generation has found innovative ways to turn everything into a commodity.

Short on cash? Easy. Flog passports to the mega-rich while allowing thousands of third country nationals to fade away into obscurity.

Short on cash? Easy. Flog passports to the mega-rich while allowing thousands of third country nationals to fade away into obscurity.

Is the health system wrecked by chronic mismanagement and cronyism? Easy. Privatise parts of the forsaken St Lukes hospital and other facilities. If you’re in search of state of the art health care, go private, stupid.

How can we make a quick buck from empty space which us mortals dare enjoy and use for free? Easy. Sell it off to private contractors who have dreamt up of an American university for the rich, which will ultimately contribute next to zilch to the country’s educational sector.

With opposition to the project on an upward trajectory, the government rummaged through its arsenal and used its stealth weapons of patronage to divert public attention on to the quality of concrete used at Mater Dei.

The latest diversion came in the form of a proposed marina which could lead to the destruction of the marine environment and the urbanisation of part of the stunning coast in Qala, Gozo.

But the place is already ruined by a quarry, you’ll hear them say. The place is an eyesore as it is, they will argue once again. And most will agree. This will be a harder battle than Zonqor, but one which will be fought nonetheless.

This administration will plough ahead with its plans to cementify the nation without consulting the people. They will decide for us and they’ll bury transparency under tonnes of earthquake resistant cement. They will sell it as progress and whoever dares oppose it will be labeled as negative and a traitor of the national interest.

But if you find this disgusting, now is the time to act. If you do not want future generations to grow up in a glorified concrete jungle then you can act now. If you do not want to live in a capitalist society which flourishes in an authoritarian state now is the time to voice your concerns.

If you do not wish to live in a soulless democracy chartecterised by an endless race to the bottom and growing disparity between the rich and poor then you can do something about it.