81 members of the Armed Forces of Malta have been awarded backdated promotions by the Army Injustices Commission, headed by Brigadier (Ret’d) Maurice Calleja, The Malta Independent has learnt.

This paper is informed that the vast majority of the service personnel had never lodged a claim before the Ombudsman’s Office, but were put on the fast track by the controversial new commission, which was appointed by Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia. Whilst most of the promotions date back to 2012, some even go back to 2008.

 

Brigadier (ret'd) Maurice Calleja

This paper is informed that the vast majority of the service personnel had never lodged a claim before the Ombudsman’s Office, but were put on the fast track by the controversial new commission, which was appointed by Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia. Whilst most of the promotions date back to 2012, some even go back to 2008.

Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia

The Malta Independent is informed that the newly-promoted AFM members will now receive a hefty allowance to make up for the raise in pay that comes with such promotions.

Two weeks ago, the Home Affairs Ministry confirmed with this paper that AFM personnel who presented their case before the Army’s Commission for Justice and were proved right by the Commission in that they had suffered an injustice in connection with promotions will be the first to receive a promotion.

Army sources told this paper that these promotions are set to complicate matters between the Home Affairs Ministry and Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino even further.

Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino

The Ombudsman’s Office and the Home Affairs Ministry are in disagreement over which entity has the power to look into complaints of injustices filed by AFM personnel. Last week the Ombudsman filed a judicial protest claiming that the AFM was hindering his investigations by withholding information. The Home Affairs Minister has since filed a counter protest.