The Nationalist Party on Wednesday said the latest driving test racket was yet another example in a lost list of cases where the culture of impunity reigns.

In a press conference, MP Adrian Delia said Malta is moving towards a state of lawlessness, where people walk free in spite of evidence of wrongdoing, and without being even charged with offences.

He referred to the Malta Employers’ Association statement that labelled the Prime Minister’s reaction to the scandal – with Abela saying that this is how the system worked – as a “radical invitation to anarchy”.

He highlighted that the situation on the roads is already worsening. He detailed how many new cars are being introduced into our roads every day, including those driven by incoming foreigners who have just arrived in the country – even as taxi drivers.

Delia called on Prime Minister Robert Abela to condemn the scandal and to provide a guarantee that our roads will be safe. This was said in response to Abela defending then Transport Minister Ian Borg for simply doing his job when he indicated names of people taking the driving test to officials at Transport Malta.

 “We are not talking about the already unacceptable case of people phoning up officials to do their test earlier. We are talking about people who should have not passed their test; people who are dangerous on the road being granted driving licenses despite not being ready”, said an irate Delia.

Another PN MP, Darren Carabott, said that this incident “is showing the poor leadership of Robert Abela”, based on his reaction to this driving licence racket.

Calling for the need of good governance in the country, Carabott then also spoke about civil society’s reactions to make his point that this racket is not an overblown political issue. He repeated the MEA’s recent comments while also stating reactions provided by insurers and doctors; insurers expressed their concern on the issue, remarking that with more road accidents, the price for car insurance may increase. Meanwhile, he continued, doctors (as well as other members of civil society) called for all licences given in this racket to be revoked.

Carabott said such a situation led to more concern that traffic accidents could take place, given that drivers who are unskilled are given a licence to drive.

The PN MP then expressed his frustration at the Government’s inaction, saying, “it has been two years and you have done nothing”.

“Politics should not be about doing anything to secure votes” and that “proper leadership and governance should be essential”, especially for something as important as road safety. The MPs then condemned how the government disregarded road safety to try and secure more electoral votes.

Delia said that licenses given out as part of the racket should be revoked, and that the involved officials and politicians should be dismissed.

“It is unbelievable that no politician has yet been charged due to this racket – the police commissioner must be living on another planet,” Delia commented.

They also backed their colleague, PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami, reiterating what he said in his recent public statement to deny claims that he had asked for preferential treatment for his son to pass his driving exam.