I never cease to be amazed by the collective hypocrisy of us Maltese as a race. Bribery in driving tests has a long history. I am now in my seventies and I recall “passing” my driving test at the age of 19. In those days it was the police themselves, a “maggur”, who conducted the test. I recall being told by the person who taught me to drive and accompanied me when I took the test, to place a £5 note between some papers that had to be handed to the maggur. Needless to say I “passed” first time even though I had not mastered the use of the handbrake and the clutch for a hill start.

More recently, a woman residing in the UK came to Malta on a 10-day holiday. She too passed her driving test first time, even though she could not even handle a pram, and to this day has no idea how to park between two cars. She ran into the back of the same post office van twice in two days. The poor chap had to keep an eye on this woman and flee out of her way as fast as he could when she drove past, and returned to delivering his letters when she was safely out of sight.

I wonder how many people, politicians, priests, police officers, newspaper editors, high court judges included, can truthfully say that they passed their driving test without greasing the palm of their examiner. How many people bribed someone to obtain a telephone line or permission to buy a television set? How many Customs officers were bribed with chocolates to turn a blind eye under a Labour administration? How many people bribed housing officials to obtain a government flat in Rabat 50 years ago, the going rate then was £40 and my wages were £9 a week? Recently, I asked four people if they had paid to pass their driving test; they all admitted having paid a bribe. Indeed corruption is rampant and all pervasive, it is and has been a way of life for as long as I can remember and nobody is scandalised by it.

It is happening now as the ADT cases demonstrate. It seems to happen in our courts and everywhere else, thanks to a widespread belief that every mortal has a price. Neither the MLP nor the PN are in a position to pontificate, a veritable can of worms will be opened if one side or the other stupidly tries to make a partisan political issue out of something that has been allowed to fester under both administrations since time immemorial.

Victor Spiteri

ATTARD