The Parliamentary Ombudsman Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon welcomed the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Malta, H.E Yu Dunhai, during a courtesy call at the Ombudsman’s office.
The Ombudsman detailed the integral role of the Office of the Ombudsman in maintaining public trust and addressing issues related to the administration. Emphasising the Ombudsman’s role as a mediator, he stated that often, conflicts between the public and administration are settled without the need for extensive investigations.
Since his appointment on 8 March 2023, the Ombudsman has remained steadfast in his mission to make the office more accessible to the public and strengthen ties with relevant stakeholders. The goal has been to create an environment where the public feels their concerns are heard and attended to diligently.
H.E Yu Dunhai expressed his admiration for the responsibilities undertaken by the Ombudsman’s office. He acknowledged the demanding nature of the role, given the broad jurisdiction and remit and its central function in advancing the quality of public administration.
Further discussions underlined the significance of transparency and accountability in administrative decisions. Ombudsman Zammit McKeon noted that, even when grievances are not justified, people value having their concerns addressed and understanding the reasoning behind administrative decisions.
Ambassador Yu Dunhai highlighted the cordial relationship shared by the Maltese and Chinese communities in Malta, a testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations.
The courtesy visit provided a valuable opportunity for open dialogue, enhancing mutual understanding, and reinforcing the importance of the Ombudsman’s role in promoting efficient and responsive public administration.
For the meeting the Commissioner for Environment and Planning Perit Alan Saliba, the Commissioner for Education, Chief Justice Emeritus Vincent De Gaetano, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Ray Galea and Mr Jurgen Cassar, Head of Communications and Research were also present.
