Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/870005
3 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2017 News Malta introduces 'X' mark on passports, ID cards and work permits The government has launched the 'X' mark for official documentation, which anyone can apply for as of today YANNICK PACE THE government yesterday launched the 'X' mark for offi- cial documentation, including passports, identity cards and residence permits – as of today, anyone can apply to have their sex marked as 'X' on official documentation. Equality minister Helena Dalli, speaking at a press conference together with parliamentary Secretary Julia Farrugia, de- scribed the new option as the people being given a "licence to be themselves". "This is a continuation of our policy of recognising every per- son in the way they want to iden- tify themselves," said Dalli. "We feel this is another impor- tant step towards giving people rights and obligations, irrespec- tive of how they were born." She added that the government was committed to recognising people as individuals, in the way they chose to identify them- selves and to put an end to the situation which saw Malta have different classes of citizens. "We have established that this is not acceptable. Nobody chooses how they are born and no legislator should decide," she continued, adding that the lat- est development was part of a continuous process of creating a fairer society. How it will work Farrugia said it was an impor- tant day because it meant that in the first 100 days, the country had shown it was willing and ready to do what other European countries have not yet done. She said that changes to the software used by Identity Malta had been implemented, while ensuring that security was in no way compromised. With the update, said Farru- gia, people will, as of today, be able to submit an application with Identity Malta in which they select the 'X' mark for their gender. She explained that all that would be required was for the applicant to take an oath in the presence of a notary, which must be attached to the stand- ard application. "If the waiting time for a pass- port is currently 15 minutes it will remain 15 minutes," she insisted. Asked whether any provisions had been made in cases where people were travelling to coun- tries were the mark was not rec- ognised, policy advisor Silvan Agius explained that while the mark was internationally recog- nised, people also needed to be aware of the situation as regards attitudes and laws related to LG- BTIQ individuals in the country they were travelling to. Malta introduces 'X' mark on passports, ID cards and work permits • Photo: James Bianchi/MediaToday Bugeja warns of 'dangerous times' for PN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Like Adrian Delia today, Bugeja had aspired to become leader of the Nationalist Party and had contested the party's leadership election in 2013 and lost to Simon Busuttil. But Bugeja was kept on in the party to assist it in matters of fi- nance. His online comment attracted a lot of negative comments from his online follow- ers and other obvious Delia supporters. Many urged him not to sow discontent within the party and that whoever was elected leader deserved the respect of all party members. Bugeja had to take to Facebook again some hours later in a bid to explain his ra- tionale. "I think I have more than explained why I said what I said – in the best interest of the PN and because of my love for the party," he wrote. "I knew I would attract negative feedback – as has in fact happened. And this confirms, instead of convincing me otherwise, that what I did was right." Bugeja insisted the PN was going through very dangerous times, when there is a risk that populism emerges victorious over the party's historical identity. "I felt it was my duty [to take a stand]. You only have to look at how the current leader Simon Busuttil has been treated and I will stop here," he wrote. "I did not want to hurt anyone but I don't want anyone to hurt the PN either." Bugeja's comments triggered a series of comments against the "party establish- ment", which Delia has claimed was doing its utmost to sabotage his campaign. Busuttil and deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami came under very harsh criticism – and some down- right abuse – with people calling on them to "Shut up" and "step aside" now that a new leader, and leader- ship style was in sight. While Delia himself was repeat- edly repeating his mantra of party unity, many supporters of his – or claiming to be – were spreading anything but unity online. Attempts by MaltaToday to con- tact Bugeja proved futile by the time we went to print. ment", which Delia has claimed was doing its utmost to sabotage his Fenech Adami came under very