Manuel Mallia is the albatross around the Muscat government’s neck

In view of yesterday’s decision by the Prime Minister, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, Prof. Arnold Cassola, said: “While the Prime Minister is admitting that there was a cover up, all the blame has been shifted onto the Acting Commissioner of Police, Ray Zammit.

According to the Prime Minister, Minister Mallia, who lied through his teeth in the press conference of the day following the incident, when he said that he had got to know of the details of the case only very late when in fact he already knew everything by 21.15 hrs of the same day of the incident, has only been found guilty of being negligent when “proof reading”  the press release.  

Basically, nobody has taken political responsibility for this disgusting and deplorable episode that flies in the face of the principles of accountability and transparency that should characterise political behaviour.

The decision by the Prime Minister to let Minister Mallia decide whether to accept Joseph Muscat’s suggestion to resign or not, is not only the ridiculous decision of a weak Prime Minister who for some reason is scared of taking any action against Mallia and his clan, but has now led to the consequence that the Maltese people have decreased their faith in institutions of vital and cardinal importance, like the Police Force and the Forces safeguarding our national security.

Manuel Mallia is the albatross around the Muscat government’s neck and a threat to the accountability and transparency that any democratic country and people, like the Maltese people, deserve. His removal, only one hour ago instead of 20 days ago, is a result of a strong public opinion that that has forced a weak Prime Minister to react to it“.

Carmel Cacopardo Deputy Chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika, said: “The report of the inquiry is justifiably critical of Maltese politics and underlines that the concept of political responsibility on appointments made by politicians is emphasized by Maltese politicians when in Opposition only to be completely ignored when they are elected to Government.  This, the report continues (in the form of a question) is evident from the fact that most appointments made are not based on competence, merit or intrinsic qualities of the appointees but on the basis of “political loyalties, nepotism, friendships and other unworthy considerations.”  It is difficult to imagine a more clear and severe condemnation of the Maltese political system, which invokes sanctity and principles whilst in Opposition but then forgets all when in Government.  

The 19 day delay in arriving at a decision led the press to seek and obtain access to telephone communications passing through the Control Room of the Police HQ. Whilst AD does not  in any way condemn the press which made use of such information which came its way, we have to emphasize that this has compromised the security of the state as now we have no guarantee that similar access is not available to criminal circles or foreign espionage agencies.

In addition, the Police Force, which is made up mostly of dedicated persons, has been most damaged as a result of this ordeal. During the past 19 days those who in the police force have placed service to the community as their priority have been let down.  Alternattiva Demokratika is full square behind these better elements in the Police Force, who are acting in the national interest and making their best efforts to ensure that the Police Force reacquires the public’s confidence.”