“Over the last 10 years I have often been invited to lunch by the former Premier, Dom Mintoff and we do meet from time to time and walk together to his favourite spot where he has his daily swim.” – Manuel Mallia, interviewed in 2001

No, I'm not a friend of Dorothy

Interview: Emmanuel Mallia – A life at the courts
Malta Today, 20 May 2001

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He also stresses that of course he is against murder and would understand how the victim’s family and friends feel.

“But one has nonetheless to analyse the facts of the case to examine what were the circumstances and what frame of mind that person acted in the commission of that crime,” he explains.

Dr Mallia has made known his interest in politics, but I want to know whether he ever taken his interest any further, even if just on the fringe?

“Yes,” he answers. “In 1971 the Nationalist Party lost the election and the party wanted to implement a restructuring operation.

“I was then about to start studying law and was more than happy to have the opportunity to actively give a helping hand. The sectional committees of the PN started working immediately and although hailing from Sliema, I was elected as secretary in the first year and as president after that, to the Gzira sectional committee. I was later also elected as president to the tenth electoral district committee and was instrumental in pioneering the set-up of the Gzira PN Club and premises, of which I was president for five years.”

He explains that during his studies he joined the law firm of the current President of Malta, Guido De Marco.

Prof. De Marco, who was then already a prime politician, obviously influenced Dr Mallia who started to attend Nationalist Party political rallies and meetings.

“But I was soon put off by what I then perceived as the back-stabbing agenda in local politics. This kept me away from further active involvement,” he admits.

He adds that the size of the island also presents problems for politicians.

“In Malta, politicians are popular while they’re elected and they are only respected while they are in power, which is a thankless task,” he comments. “The amount of time they spend in Parliament and the homework they ought to do, especially when debating legislation and attending to the needs and demands of their constituents is massive.”

Although he is great friends with Prof. De Marco, actively helping him in his last two election campaigns, Prof. Mallia stresses he has companions on both sides of the political divide.

In fact, it is often said that Dr Mallia is seen walking in Delimara in the company of a famous politician…is this true, I ask him with a smile?

“Over the last 10 years I have often been invited to lunch by the former Premier, Dom Mintoff and we do meet from time to time and walk together to his favourite spot where he has his daily swim,” he answers. “Although there are some things which we do not agree upon, Mr Mintoff is a very interesting person to talk to, one can learn a lot from him, whether or not you agree with him politically. And of course, he also has such great personality.”

Turning to the subject of EU membership, Dr Mallia says that he believes Malta has to eventually join what is, after all, one of the biggest blocs in the world.

But he stresses the importance of ensuring the right conditions are achieved. And conditions, in one certain sphere, are of particular interest to Dr Mallia, since he is the lawyer of the Federation for Hunters, Trappers and Conservationists, as well as being a great enthusiast of the sport, although he doesn’t have time to practise it.

Aware that there are opponents to hunting, Dr Mallia stresses that the majority of hunters and trappers abide by the law, while he, together with the Federation founding members and officials, such as Joe Perici Calascione, Lino Farrugia and others, have helped the Federation to grow and gain greater respect.

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