Leader of the Nationalist Party Bernard Grech said Wednesday that Prime Minister Robert Abela should invest in the relevant authorities to improve safety and justice in Malta, rather than blame the courts.

Grech, speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, was referring to the comments Abela made when responding to questions posed by the media about the lack of safety in Malta after Pelin Kaya was run over and killed in Gzira last week (a man has been charged in court over her murder), and the news that a teenager was grievously injured on Saturday evening in an “argument” between youths in Valletta (two teenage boys have been charged over the assault).

Abela had admitted that he does not feel very comfortable allowing his daughter to walk alone in Valletta. Although he praised the police for their actions, he urged the courts to reintroduce a sense of security in the country.

Grech mentioned how this was not the only time that Abela blamed others, he did the same with the high cost of living, the limited supply of medicines and traffic.

Grech also mentioned how National Security Minister Byron Camilleri should resign or be removed by Abela for not suspending ex-prison director Robert Brincau when he had been initially accused.

On Tuesday Brincau was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for three years, after he was found guilty of injuring a man and carrying a firearm without a licence at Ghadira Bay in August last year. He resigned from the post soon after the judgment was handed out.

Grech said that Abela must see that the authorities receive the right investments so that work is done properly. He expressed his faith in the courts, however, he said that in order for them to work properly they need the right resources.

Grech accused Abela of spending money on propaganda rather than spending it on improving the number of staff and resources within the courts.

He added that the Labour government has dropped the standards which have resulted in a culture of impunity.

On Monday Abela said that even if you increase the size of the police force, it is impossible to have police on every street, instead, he appealed to people to be more responsible.

Asked about this comment and what the PN would do to improve safety, Grech said that the PN has been pushing for more people to be responsible. However, he said that the Labour government itself is not holding anyone responsible.

He said that people with money can do whatever they want in this country, and this attitude has become “institutionalised”.