Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1066826
17 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 DECEMBER 2018 INTERVIEW PAUL COCKS looks back at the best quotes from the weekly interviews by Raphael Vassallo with various protagonists from the political, social and cultural spheres Adrian Delia Opposition leader 16 September I have a duty to ask whether we are prepared to accept an influx of for- eigners in such a short period... do we know what the consequences will be? Howard Keith Debono Producer, X Factor judge 28 October I will never be the type who rips someone apart for the sake of mak- ing good television – nor would I pass someone through because it's expected to do so Simone Cini Domestic Violence Commissioner 9 December We have women in their 1970s who ever since getting married at 28 have lived a life of abuse. Cul- turally we have always been taught to tolerate this as bystanders, we were brought up to never get in- volved in such cases. Maria Pisani Integra Foundation 8 July If the EU's intention, as recent history demonstrates, is to stop arrivals at all costs, then it seems to me they have found their 'final solution': let them drown Angele Deguara Sociologist and lecturer 23 September We speak of 'change' – and change did take place – but cul- turally, and mentally, we still cling to traditional gender expec- tations and roles Peppi Azzopardi TV presenter 4 November God forbid we end up in a situa- tion where we can't discuss things because they're 'sub judice'... anyone could simply quash any discussion about anything, just by opening a court case Carola Rackete Sea Watch International 15 July We know that people get kid- napped a lot; they get enslaved, there is forced labour; people get murdered; people get tortured; people get raped; there are a lot of human rights violations of all types Marvin Gauci Chef and restaurateur 26 August I think one of the main reasons for inconsistency is that people underestimate what's actually involved in running a restaurant Andre Callus Moviment Graffitti 30 September Before, environmentalist activ- ism was always restricted to the activists themselves. Today, however, there is a certain level of concern and alarm that is much more widespread George Hyzler Commissioner, Standards in Public Life 18 November I often had to decide on cases concerning ethical behaviour of lawyers. They were all acquaint- ances, friends, and colleagues of mine. But where I had to be tough, I was tough Edward Scicluna Finance minister 22 July To picture the FIAU in those dis- mal and unfortunate colours: as corrupt, or turning [a blind eye], or being influenced by myself or the prime minister... it's outrageous Joseph Cuschieri MFSA CEO 14 October Many people seem to think that, the moment we find a breach, the proper thing to do is close down the bank. It doesn't work like that; if it did, it would be the law of the jungle Sasha Taylor-East Psychiatrist 25 November When it comes to stigma, it is still a battle we face on a day-to-day basis. It may not take the same form as it used to in the past, but it still exists Michelle Muscat Prime minister's wife 29 July When I heard the news about what happened to her, I think I was more sorry than her own fam- ily. Her family could go on to make her a saint; but at the time I said to myself: 'Now I will have to live with her lies' Jason Micallef Valletta 2018 Foundation chairman 24 June Now I refute this small part of our society coming on the streets with placards calling Malta a ma- fia state. I will refute that because Malta is no mafia state Ian Borg Transport & infrastructure minister 1 July I think the issue facing public transport today... is the 'positive' porblem, so to speak, that we are now at saturation point when we need to address the challenge of capacity Clayton Mercieca Allied Rainbows Communities 9 September When you're coming out, you think you're the only person who's gay. You feel totally clueless as to what you are, what you can identi- fy with. Seeing that there is such a thing as a 'gay community' makes a big difference Peter Agius PN MEP candidate 21 October The conditions of Maltese workers are going down, because of a loss of bargaining power due to the readily-available foreigner who is willing to work for much less pay and much worse conditions Noel Zammit Heritage Malta CEO 2 December People today are less interested in the facts and figures, than in how people actually lived in the past; their traditions, their folklore, what they ate, what their daily life was like Clyde Puli PN secretary general 5 August The reality is that Simon Busut- til made some mistakes. But let's be honest: it's not as though he opened an account in Panama. It's not as serious as the case of a min- ister who opened an undeclared overseas account