At this time of the year, many seek to take a short break. Our politicians have called it day at the House and hung their cushioned boxing gloves for when the weather is cooler. Many things have, however, been left undone and untied. Too many loose ends are surfacing, raising eyebrows and projecting the political class and the Island’s institutions into very bad light.
Let’s start by the inquiry conducted by retired Judge Michael Mallia, wherein a number of observations regarding theZammit police officers’ behaviour are made.
I ask. Have our institutions been on a long vacation? Who is protecting Joe citizen?
The inquiry commissioned by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, following persistent and widespread rumours, has opened a can of worms. Within hours of publication, persons mentioned in the report have, through their lawyers, made statements claiming inaccuracies in the inquiry.
Like all other citizens, the persons referred to in the report have every right to protect their name and reputation, but this should not stall the competent authorities from digging deep enough to find to truth. Those claiming inaccuracies may be clutching at straws, though their assertions may be a good cause for a fine legal battle; nonetheless, this should not detract from every effort to address the core issues.
Where does this leave society? What’s next?
The findings of the inquiry are putting into a quandary the political class, more so than the people directly involved in the inquiry.The way that those in the political class act and react is now under inquiry by society. The good reputation or otherwise of the political class is at stake here. The political class needs to signal to society that the national good is foremost in their work,and no one is allowed to take advantage of his/her political allegiance, position orbank account.Political parties should clearly demonstrate that they are arms-length away from the shady, underground world.
Judge Mallia’s inquiry and the tremors reported on the same day had nothing to do with each other and clearly were not a signal from Upstairs nonetheless; society was shocked with the findings.
The sooner this issue is sorted out, the better it would be for society. If there is something which bites and nibbles at confidence and trust, itis gossip and rumours.
This brings me to an issue which has been around for years – public transport.
It is sad that public transport is not in any way helping visitors to make a good judgement of our islands. At this time of the year, visitors will be arriving in droves and yet our public transport is still in shambles.
The bad experiences which visitors will share with their work colleagues and family members on returning home will washaway the efforts and the thousands of euros spent in advertising these Islands. The endless queues at bus stops especially during peak times clearly showthe inefficient public transport.
Yet again, the locals have to lump an inefficient public transport, notwithstanding that yet again we are throwing even more good money after bad.
This brings me to another issue which by nature is a hot topic.
To combat this many go by the seaside for a dip. This is also the time when many locals, and the thousands of visitors, seek to enjoy the lovely evenings under clear skies. Some will pursue the bright, colourful fireworks, mushrooming and ballooning lighting the skies.
At Hamrun, my home town, we do not enjoy this accompaniment to the feast of San Gejtanu. But by tradition, the two local band clubs make more than good for the lack of fireworks.
The two band clubs: one in honour of San Gejtanu, known as “Tat-Tamal”,founded in 1906 anddraped in red; the other devoted to St Joseph, known as “Tal-Miskina”,founded in 1889,brandishing the blue colour and situated prominently opposite the parish church with the other band club a stone’s throw away down the main road, rivals by nature but allies in promoting the love for music and Christian values.
The coming Sunday both bands clubs will feature prominently in the traditional secular morning band-march around Hamrun. Both band clubs attract sizeable crowds who will accompany them under the scorching sun. The high emotions during the morning event encourage many to bottle the spirit in honour of San Gejtanu. Fr Henry Balzan, Hamrun Parish Priest assisted by others will continue tostrive to promote the noble values of San Gejtanu, amongst parishioners and others.
San Gejtanu is the Father of providence. And who is the Patron Saint to protect us from treachery and deceit?
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