Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said that the country is "not functioning at all" as Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri has not shouldered responsibility of the 200kg drug heist from an army compound.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Grech said that last Sunday, 200kg of drugs were stolen from a "supposed safe and secure" area, under the possession and control of the Armed Forces of Malta.

He continued that since then, Camilleri offered his resignation as he understood the seriousness of the matter. The Brigadier was also suspended, because it was understood that this is a serious matter.

"Today, 200kg of drugs which are meant to be locked up in a secure place, are now back in criminals' hands, ready to be trafficked and sold to our youths and children, to the public," Grech said.

He said that these are drugs which cause damage to peoples' health, that the late Mgr Victor Grech worked so hard to help victims of such drugs.

"A few days ago, we held a tribute and a deserving state funeral for Grech's work with drug victims. A few days later, 200kg of drugs are back on the streets and the Prime Minister acts as if nothing happened, and did not accept Camilleri's resignation," Grech said.

He said that yesterday in Parliament, he presented a motion for an urgent parliamentary debate on the matter, and all government had to do was agree with the Opposition and have this discussion.

However, government did not agree, as Prime Minister Robert Abela was not comfortable with such a discussion.

"But he is comfortable that there are 200kg of drugs in our streets," Grech said, adding that Abela has not understood the seriousness of the situation, as he failed to understand the seriousness of other circumstances.

Grech said that then, months down the line, Abela would admit he could have been more sensitive, just as he did with the case of the death of Jean Paul Sofia.

He said the Prime Minister does not truly learn from previous circumstances, and remains on the criminals' side, and not that of the public.

"Instead of a discussion in Parliament, Abela wanted to speak by himself, after a feigned resignation which he did not accept. He came to Parliament with a few points to make a ministerial statement, when under normal circumstances, it is the Minister responsible who does this," Grech said.

He said that 48 hours have passed since Camilleri said anything on the matter, and Abela wanted to be the only one to speak.

Grech said that the Speaker should have allowed a discussion, rather than just cautioning Abela to be careful in his words so as to not prejudice existing investigations, as the Speaker could have stopped such speech just like he said he would with Abela's statement.

He said he insisted with the Speaker that he could not guarantee that Abela's "few points" could potentially affect the investigations.

"Normally, each ministerial statement must be written and handed to the Opposition before it is read in Parliament. How can the Speaker reassure us that Abela's notes would not prejudice the case?" Grech said.

He said that Monday's Parliament session proved evident that government does not want a discussion on the matter, and an excuse was used that such a discussion will prejudice investigations.

"We insist on Camilleri's resignation. There are drugs on the streets, but this country moves on as if nothing happened, and nobody shoulders responsibility," Grech said.

He mentioned the identity card fraud case, where Camilleri should have resigned then. Grech also mentioned the Ombudsman's report on the prison, that there was torture in prison, and that 14 had died, all under Camilleri's watch.

Grech said that there has been no news on the two Moroccans who escaped an airplane which landed in Malta, yet Camilleri remains Minister.

Now, 200kg of drugs have been stolen and more episodes, crises and scandals will continue to turn up, with Abela being comfortable with such issues.

"If Camilleri does not resign, anything else which happens is now the Prime Minister's direct responsibility. He wants to shut us up in Parliament," Grech said.

Grech said that Abela could have asked an independent institution to investigate the case, but he appointed an administrative investigation instead so that he could have control over it.

Grech continued that Abela could also have called a press conference to explain and answer questions from journalists, but he wanted to speak in Parliament by himself, comfortably, and avoid any questions.

"It is evident that the public, parents and families are worried and concerned, and our children are facing the dangers of drugs which we are meant to be fighting," Grech said, adding that Abela does not care about the health and lives of children.

Grech said that the PN is the only "shield" for Maltese and Gozitans families, as well as the youths' voices.

"We cannot concede to the fight against drugs. If Abela conceded, then I will not concede towards the fight against drugs which are hurting our children," Grech said.