See, hear and speak out

If we accept apathy, corruption, and dishonesty, that is exactly what we will have, says Albert Buttigieg. The prevailing mindset is that as long as it doesn’t happen in one’s own backyard, anything goes and everything is acceptable.

Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru are the three renowned monkeys that embody the principle “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”.

Originally a symbol of Eastern wisdom and ethical restraint, these figures have, unfortunately, come to represent disengagement, apathy and indifference to one’s surroundings.

In Malta, many people are unfortunately choosing to emulate the three monkeys: turning a blind eye to unlawfulness; shutting their ears to the cries of social injustice, suffering and inequality; and silencing their voices in the face of rampant systemic corruption and environmental degradation.

The prevailing mindset behind such behaviour is that, as long as it doesn’t happen in one’s own backyard, anything goes and everything is acceptable.

Unfortunately, in doing so – whether intentionally or not – one creates space and ample opportunity for the corrupt and the greedy to act with audacity, impunity and arrogance.

Recently, Cardinal Mario Grech stated: “We choose not to feel, not to suffer, to close our eyes in the face of what might make us experience suffering.” He added that we have become “anaesthetised to the point that we no longer notice the suffering around us”.

Subsequently, the common good is the main casualty.

In recent years, under Labour administrations, we have witnessed a never-ending stream of scandals – ranging from the abuse of public funds and opaque government contracts to policy changes tailored to party loyalists, blatant disregard for the rule of law, rampant clientelism, ethical collapse and environmental degradation.

And, yet, the response is all too often passive, inert and marked by a sense of resignation. Regrettably, nothing seems to ignite outrage or even stir us anymore.

Is it scandal-fatigue or just apathy?

Although some people express outrage, their indignation is often short-lived, fading when it’s time to walk the talk. Many prefer the role of keyboard warriors over that of active citizens – falling short of vehemently demanding accountability, social justice and good governance.

This culture of disengagement is not accidental. It is being actively enabled and encouraged by the current administration, knowing that a disengaged public allows for unchecked power and sleaze. Under the Labour government, sleaze has become not just tolerated but commonplace – no longer the exception but the norm.

By reinstating or appointing individuals tainted by fraud, maladministration or corruption, the government sends a dangerous message: that sleaze pays.

While the ancient Romans used ‘bread and circuses’ to appease the masses, ensuring their contentment and distraction from controversial political issues, the current government is shrewdly using incumbency to buy silence and encourage apathy.

The government knows all too well that the fewer people willing to question, the more room there is for secret backroom dealings, shady developments and the takeover of our democratic institutions.

By fostering a political culture of ‘anything goes’ and reducing politics to public stunts and superficial gloss, the government ensures that public criticism is effectively neutralised.

In the face of this predicament, honest citizens must urgently step out of their comfort zones, recalibrate their mindsets and dare to care deeply for their country. We must rediscover the true value of the ‘we’ mentality. While a strong, well-prepared political opposition, an active civil society and free media are essential, ultimately the responsibility falls on each of us – every citizen – to care and to be actively engaged.

We must uphold the common good. We must boldly stand up and be counted and reclaim our country from those who seek to turn Malta into a mafia state for their own greedy convenience.

The harsh truth is this: we get the country we tolerate. If we accept apathy, corruption and dishonesty, that is exactly what we will have.

Hence, we must stop acting like the three monkeys. We must see, hear and speak out.

(This article was published on Times of Malta – 12 September, 2025)