News Update
Prime minister insists on review of sentencing policies and accuses PN of conflict of interest
Prime Minister Robert Abela has once again called on the courts to be ‘on the side of society’ and to review sentencing policies without being bound to decades old decisions. Speaking in Birkirkara on Sunday he accused the opposition of a conflict of interest, saying he was being criticised for calling for harsher court sentences by the same people who worked as lawyers and every morning went to court to plead for shorter sentences for their clients. (Times of Malta) The Labour leader also said that over the past week he had spoken to a magistrate, who reportedly agreed with him on “lenient punishments” being handed down by the court. Allegedly, the same magistrate told Abela that when harsher sentences are dished out, the defendant would appeal and eventually be given a reduced sentence. Abela insisted that the time has come for the court to revise its sentencing policy. (Newsbook)
I want a society where justice reigns – PN Leader Grech
Opposition leader Bernard Grech said this apparent lack of security is not because of shortcomings among police but rather among those leading the country and taking decisions. “I want a society where justice reigns. […] Where people have peace of mind,” he said. Mentioning the police force, he said that it is in a very desperate state considering that some have left just two years before completing their 25 years of service, before receiving their pension. “I am going to be frank on the security of this country and say that it is not police’s fault, but the fault of those leading, giving a sense of impunity as if you know a minister you can also request the removal of a judgement from the court system so that it doesn’t show”, he said. He added that whoever “has the money and is a criminal under this government can have peace of mind assured” but “what about those fair and honest citizens who respect the law?” (Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Four in hospital after head-on crash on Hal Far road
A head-on collision between two vehicles on Saturday evening on Ħal Far Road, Luqa, left four people injured, police said. The accident took place at around 6pm between a Renault Captur, which was in service as a taxi, and a Mercedes Benz. The foreign taxi driver of the Renault Captur was rushed to Mater Dei hospital along with his two passengers, a 46-year-old woman and 47-year-old man from Safi. The driver of the Mercedes Benz escaped unscathed but his passenger, a 31-year-old-woman from Santa Venera, was also hospitalised. Two ambulances as well as the Civil Protection Unit were called to the site. (Times of Malta)
19-year-old hit in Floriana accident
A 19-year-old man was hit by a car in Floriana at 5.30pm on Saturday, the police said. The accident occurred on Triq Nazzjonali. Preliminary investigations indicate that the 19-year-old, from Zurrieq, was hit by a Toyota Ractis that was being driven by a 41-year-old man from St Julian’s. The victim was taken to Mater Dei Hospital and was certified as having suffered grievous injuries. (Malta Independent)
Sustainability headlines agenda at MCESD meeting
The Maltese Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) discussed Malta’s Strategy for Sustainable Development 2050 together with the new Project Green agency, the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprises Miriam Dalli and the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul. Dalli told the social partners that the national strategy for sustainable development is not a plan of one entity but that of an entire country. The same goes for the Project Green agency, which aims to manage environmental projects as part of our country’s long-term environmental plan. (The Malta Independent)
ADPD hits out at new mechanism for approving Standards Commissioner
ADPD has hit out at the proposed amendments to the Standards in Public Life Act saying they will make it easier for the Government to avoid being faced with ‘uncomfortable’ reports published by the standards’ office. In a press briefing, the Green Party referred to the mechanism Government is proposing to enable it to appoint whoever it deems fit as Commissioner for Standards in Public Life without seeking a wide consensus. “This may lead the appointed person to feel at ease to choose not to investigate breaches of such standards or not to investigate in detail,” ADPD Public Relations Officer Brian Decelis argued. (Times of Malta)
MUT clarifies position on hunting expressing disapproval
The Malta Union of Teachers said in a statement that it does not approve of the Kaċċaturi San Ubertu exhibition being sponsored by the Gozo ministry. “The MUT does not approve or back the hunting exhibition in schools. It has always condemned any killing of living species and its promotion in schools. The union has always supported the work carried out to conserve nature and living species and urges educators to pursue with their teaching in schools to show the real effects of hunting.” The teachers union had courted controvery earlier during the day, when in another statement it said that an exhibition of this sort would “never counteract all the positive work carried out by educators and schools towards a culture of conservation and respect for all living species.” (Maltatoday)
