‘I’m Done Playing’: Jon Mallia Breaks Down Why He Is Opposing Abortion Bill Despite His Pro-Choice Beliefs
Renowned podcaster Jon Mallia has called out the government for presenting Parliament with a “lazy, opportunistic and vaguely worded” abortion bill.
“I am not pro-life but I am pro-democracy and democratic debate,” Mallia said. “I am actually in many instances pro-choice.”
“But what we the Maltese people have been presented with is a lazy, opportunistic and vaguely worded bill that is impossible to discuss in the public forum.”
The bill clarifies that doctors can terminate pregnancies in cases when the mother’s life or health is in grave danger. However, it has proven controversial given its vague legal definition of “health” and “grave danger”, which critics warn could open the backdoor to the decriminalisation of abortion by stealth.
Mallia warned that such cryptic legal terminology will render the bill unenforceable and is being deployed by the government as a ‘divide and conquer’ tactic.
“We are falling out with one another, and harboring resentments, over a bill that none of us understand, because we can’t,” he said.
“We are being divided, needlessly so, and it’s achingly frustrating to watch.”
“Because this is the result of a political class that for far too long has gotten away with far too much. We have led them to believe that they can be irresponsible with the truth. Loose with the facts.”
“We have been cajoled to engage in the same game children play with their parents over Santa Claus. So long as the gifts keep turning up, children, for a while, will keep pretending Santa is real. They will pretend to be fooled because it serves them.”
“And the majority of the people championing this bill understand this perfectly well. They’re not fools. They play along, because their incentive is forthright, and I actually commend it.”
“Women are suffering and afraid and made to feel like delinquents. And this must end.”
“So I oppose this bill not because it’s pro-abortion or doesn’t go far enough. Not because doctors are divided on what it actually means and lawyers are too.”
“I oppose this bill because, once again, our legislators are asking me to pretend the theatrics are real. And I’m sorry. I’m done playing.”
Do you agree with Jon Mallia’s assessment of the bill?
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