From Mr J. Calleja

This article with the above title made interesting reading (TMIS, 26 October). But as you and I know, Malta is still run by the good old boys, whether they be judges or politicians and so on.

I have written many comments to The Times about the lax laws we have in Malta, like for instance when you hear that most beautiful phrase – suspended sentence and x years probation. If a person is found guilty why not sentence him to some community service instead of a fine and a slap on the hand.

You hear a lot about how dirty Malta is, so why doesn’t a judge make this person pay his debt to society by cleaning streets, beaches and so on at weekends and yes, make sure he/she wears overalls so everybody knows why he/she is there.

Here in America we call them the Sunday Detail or Weekend Warriors and you can see them on the side of the freeway cleaning and picking up debris, and if you think that’s not embarrassing I don’t know what is.

Yes, these are people who for some reason or another have broken the law – all sorts of people including lawyers, CEOs, rich and poor. I am not talking about hard-core criminals, but small offences like drunk driving, petty theft, etc.

You can write an article about this subject and maybe some judge will take up the practice. Malta has to change its ways and stop doing things the good old boys way.

Joseph Calleja

Manteca

CALIFORNIA

USA