Mark Micallef
Addolorata cemetery extension halted
Minister wards off 'pestering' widower
The government halted the planned extension of the Addolorata cemetery and then described one man who complained about the delay as a pest.
The news emerges from an e-mail exchange between the Social Policy Ministry - which is responsible for the extension - and widower Frank Muscat, who decided to go public, frustrated by the episode concerning the allotment of his family grave.
Along with thousands of others, in September 2006, Mr Muscat had been promised a grave in the planned extension of the Addolorata cemetery onto an adjacent dumping site. Under the plan, announced by former Health Minister Louis Deguara, 2,782 graves were to be developed on the site; 2,500 of these would be sold to the people who had been on the waiting lists for the longest time. Some of them, like Mr Muscat's family, had been there for a decade.
Shortly after the public announcement, Mr Muscat was told officially that his family's grave would occupy one of the new spaces, but a year later he had still not heard anything.
In fact, when his wife succumbed to cancer in mid-2007, he had to go to the trouble of finding an alternative burial place. He had managed to find a space in the grave of a relative but has still been fighting to get the family grave he was promised.
In the months before the March 8 election, his family was again told the project would go ahead and was even asked to confirm in writing whether they were still interested in the grave. They did, but after the election there were no developments.
Fed up with waiting, he took the matter to the politicians. Upon receiving the umpteenth complaint from Mr Muscat, earlier this month private secretary Remigio Bartolo wrote to Social Policy Minister John Dalli complaining that Mr Muscat had been "pestering him" for the last 12 months in connection with his pending allocation.
His boss's response was prompt: "Be informed that we have decided to stop the planned extension to the Addolorata cemetery to be able to develop a plan that does justice to this architectural jewel," he wrote to Mr Muscat, who learnt about this change of plan for the first time in this exchange.
"No threats of going to the media will intimidate us into destroying this important part of our natural heritage," the minister said, referring to a threat Mr Muscat made should his queries again remain unanswered.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Mr Muscat said he never suggested that the cemetery should be compromised in any way, but simply that the multiple promises made to him and his family are kept.
"Frankly, I was dumbfounded by the minister's reply... I had been complaining with his secretary for so long because I was getting nowhere. All I'm asking is that I'm given what I was promised within a defined deadline... I never expected this arrogance."
When questioned about the tone of the exchange and whether he found it acceptable for his staff to ignore queries only to then complain that they were being pestered when the complainants insisted on a response, Mr Dalli said that he had nothing to add to what he had already told Mr Muscat.
"Threats by people to go to the media if they do not have their way are not quite ethical and I will not have any part of it," he said.
Mr Dalli was also asked when the decision to stop the extension of the cemetery extension was taken as well as the reasons for it - but no response was forthcoming.
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14 Comments
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Joseph Schembri
Sep 22nd 2008, 18:07
I hope that Minister Dalli is reading these comments. It's part of his job to do so. He has a reputation for getting things done but he also comes out as a supercilious person to me. He shouldn't miss the wood for the trees. Human suffering comes before 'architectural jewels' in my book.
I think that PN has been in government for far too long.
gaffarena joseph
Sep 22nd 2008, 16:48
Mr. Muscat, I, fully agree with you,and yes we were promised a grave more than 4 years ago.
I, received the letter as well, and signed it. Later I, went personally to seE when Im going to sign the contract, but was told that there is notrhing to sign.
When I, was going out , a man came running to me, and told me that he will find a grave for me, but to the tune of 15,000 euros..
Even to find a place in our resting place we have to fight corruption.
Eugenio Taliana
Sep 21st 2008, 20:03
Another case of arrogance from the governments' side, but not before an election!
Guze Xerri
Sep 21st 2008, 19:08
Crematoriums should be built on Malta and Gozo.
Enough of this practice of taking valuable scarce land to build unhygienic private rot boxes for families and common/church/civil rot boxes too.
john borg
Sep 21st 2008, 18:45
I really wonder who is unethical. Instead of reassuring Mr.Muscat that what hasbeen promised would be delivered soon, Mr. Dalli shames himself by such comments. Mr. Dalli, you owe Mr. Muscat an apology. Be brave and apologise and do whatever is required so that Mr. Muscat's remaining wish for his loved one would be fulfilled. And remember that there are another 2500 applicants who are still waiting for a grave they have been promised by the Prime Minister.You just cannot dismiss people in such a manner. The Prime Minister should take note and act............................ fast.
l Galea
Sep 21st 2008, 16:41
@Anthony BVorg
The eu is simply a dermocracy with its own dermocrants.
Therefore, it follows that being part of the eu we have the same set-up.
As for calling the complainant a pest, he and others who suffer similar offences should reciprocate and be a pest at elections time. That is the only way for them to they learn.
P Borg
Sep 21st 2008, 16:22
For heaven's sake, is this the proper manner for the 'Social' Policy Minister to refer to people? Are compainants to his department, most of them being 'social' cases, referred to as 'pests'?
richard galea
Sep 21st 2008, 14:08
what is the reason the ecclesiastical authorities are halting the permission of a cramation tender or debating the subject . The citizin must have a choice whether to be cramated or burried.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Sep 21st 2008, 13:27
PART 2:
Being assured one thing and then being called names for demanding what was rightfully promised (moreso on the eve of an election) is a shame! This mentality of having persons in high position not being accountable and getting away with what was promised and agreed, must be dealt with urgently. As it is the person who was assured of the allotment of a grave is being called a 'pest' whereas the person giving the false assurance is not insulted but is free to continue making unfounded promises!
Dear Mr. Frank Muscat, we are behind you and sympathise with you. I end with a phrase from John Lennon's memorable song "Imagine" and which was often discussed in our classroom:
"You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us ..."
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Sep 21st 2008, 13:21
PART 1:
Describing Mr. Frank Muscat as a "pest" should indeed be taken as an insult towards all the Maltese citizens and I see it as rebounding on the person making such a false accusation!
Knowing this true gentleman personally, I am utterly disgusted to read about the manner he has and is being treated. This person is a most intelligent, caring person and above all instils values and respect in people he meets. His many past students can vouch for this. He has taught us the many good ways as to how to respect people around us, how to build our lives on true values and, yes, how to work in order to achieve what we believe in!
TO BE CONTINUED
John Portelli
Sep 21st 2008, 13:10
I think the minister should be ashamed of himself. Who elected him. A citizen has a right to what he was owed. I think it's not the citizen who got it wrong to complain. It's the minister for being so arrogant. People are always going to the press, so what is the big deal. In Malta, things are conducted in a real weird way. I
Anthony BVorg
Sep 21st 2008, 12:43
So a man who insists on getting what he was promised is a pest. Because he complains , he is a pest.
Isn't this what is wrong with the whole of goverment departments and private companies as well? Customer care, human rights, and any rights are non existent if you live in Malta.
Oh, I almost forgot, we are a democracy and EU members, but still waiting to see some benefits.
Give this man and everyone else who was promiseed a grave what they have been promised and if there is some change of plan do it fast and not wait another 5 years.
I Abela
Sep 21st 2008, 10:38
A word of advice Mr. Dalli - You have been elected by the people, to work for the people, in the interest of the people. Nobody was a pest before March 8 !! I suggest you seriously think about the people going public with their complains, not ignore them. Sometimes solidarity helps shifts public opinion.
Anthony Formosa
Sep 21st 2008, 10:11
It's time that we have a choice to cremate our loved ones, besides buying a grave cost a fortune there's no more room for more graves. The church must encourage this practice rather being involved as a business partner.