When we read about the 14th death at Corradino Correctional Facilities, of an inmate, the sensation begins to creep up our spine that this is reprehensible, unacceptable and avoidable if only the Minister Byron Camilleri would have taken responsibility, used judicious decision and sacked Alex Dalli way long ago, whilst implementing the wide reform needed to bring the facility up to proper standards.
Everywhere we turn our head we grasp the gravity of failed politicians that are wrecking so much harm on our nation and our people. Politicians that have become hostage of the Labour Party and its sole purpose to continue in its ransacking of Malta’s taxes, its state capture and the protection of wrong doers.
Additionally, the total lack of accountability, when ministers, senior civil servants and the Prime Minister demonstrate their inability to weigh decisions, take action and seriously assess the gravity of a situation, we are compelled to say that our country is held hostage to a system of nepotism, greed and amateurism beyond any reasonable doubt.
Rather we are regaled by the make-over of Michelle Muscat and the do-under of her husband Joseph Muscat. Robert Abela sits like an obedient child and colours-by-numbers. His job appears to be to hold the fort by sacrificing the Plebeians, whatever the cost.
How much more glaring and in the face can the reality be, for Abela to continue to sit back and abdicate responsibility? Who instructs his Ministers to protect individual wrong-doers rather than the public and to decide for themselves that they do not need to resign and carry the weight of their failure to act in the interest of security and the knowledge that someone is paying the price for their abject incompetence?
Having the state media backing them up and making decisions on their behaviour on their behalf, they continue to live in a fantasy of self-belief, imbued with some special right, above all others. Awed by their audacious serenity, the Police fall into a paralytic state, unable to breathe or speak. Silenced by the schizophrenic consciousness. By Konrad Mizzi who belches whatever he likes into the face of the PAC committee. By Joseph Muscat who shakes his head and points at others. By Robert Abela who is hiding somewhere and by those charged who are never seen in court. Others who appear in WhatsApp messages indicating potential involvement in misdeeds, but stand protected until the flame torch is carried again.
What on earth are the ministers there for? From education to justice. From transport to industry, tourism, investments, social services, housing and the interior? The only measure used is that of whether or not there is money or political advantage to be generated. The projects that are selected not by need and importance but by Ministers’ constituencies. The commitment to so-called development such as the marina at Marsascala or the ridiculous block of apartments on Xlendi shore are the result of politics by gangsters.
Hunters covering practically the whole of Malta and Gozo’s surface by traps under the guise of research. One wonders what it takes for the EU to take action against such abuse. For some, the only means of lifting their spirit is not the sound of the cash machine or a shotgun but to hear the singing of a bird in a tree or enjoy the sight of green fields and wide skies. They are continually deprived of this simple life-enhancing and healthy opportunity, afraid to even venture out for a walk in the countryside, lest they or their dog is shot at.
And yet, no word and no cancellation of this abominable permissive action. Hunters rule over the fate of our country. The Director of Prisons continues to thrive in something reminiscent of dark episodes of history. Contractors bring in the demolition machinery and ensure that nothing gets in their way of plans, especially with whoever is behind them, giving them assurance. Protests and objections are ignored and actually erased from view in the manner of a communist regime.
The sleaze that oozes in all directions is endemic in the system. Accompanied by impunity, the environment is all set for the infiltration of a criminal organization into the state affairs. No boundary is set on the scope of success.
Uncovering wrong doing has become ordinary and ridiculed. Occasionally a sacrificial lamb is thrown out to silence the cries for justice but not before a thorough calculation has been made on the reversal of the action. Lawyers are selected in anticipation, doctor’s certificates issued, investigations delayed endlessly, doubts sown and fatigue induced.
Hostages to their ambition and greed, their insecurity and ignorance. Lies are pedestrian and cost nothing. Matched only by their hatred of the Opposition and its past achievements, they seek to rise above by shouting numbers and brashness, that no one can touch them.
The Office of the Ombudsman initiated an own initiative investigation into possible systemic maladministration within the Corradino Correctional Facility. It has come way too late for 14 souls. The Magistrates’ report on the Daphne Caruana Galizia inquiry is lying in wait, like the Excalibur sword of King Arthur.
It is not like nobody has spoken about the urgent and serious problems facing inmates at CCF. NGOs, Professors, the Opposition, Church organisations and civil society have all repeatedly stressed the call for responsibility to be borne, for Alex Dalli to be removed and for Byron Camilleri to make swift reform. Instead he procrastinated and the result is that another person has been found dead. A defenceless foreigner. Nothing short of Camilleri’s resignation will suffice here. This has either been a collusion or a total naivety on the part of the Minister, to ever think that he should extend his support to a clearly failing Director of Prisons.
Right behind him, stands another. Robert Abela himself, who repeatedly leaves the veg on his plate whilst advocating for healthy living. Ian Borg is always at the ready to take up the slack. Chris Fearne was there but cannot bring himself to upset the apple cart. There is order in the disorder and the more confused people become, the better.
A case, it seems, that not even the law and the forces of order can resolve for good. The EU pay lip service and time goes by with citizens facing unconstitutional laws that go against their very rights as EU citizens, in particular the owners of the Pre-1995 rent law property. Either the Maltese are really the most agile and capable of the lot or we sit amongst sheep. Many countries who associated with the Maltese have their saying on who and what we are. The thing is, we don’t. National pride does not exist, except when its absence is exposed.