Former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said it would be scandalous if responsibilities were not borne following the car bombing of Daphne Caruana Galizia last week.

Dr Gonzi replied to questions after attending Mass in memory of the murdered journalist in Bidnija.

Malta, he said, was going through a difficult time. It was understandable that some felt disheartened, and he agreed with the Archbishop that people should not be afraid, but should look after each other and work for the common good.

Hopefully, he said, some good could come of this tragedy, he said.

But society needed to see positive messages and positive actions by those in senior positions.

The people, more than ever before, wanted those in important posts to assume their responsibilities and take the appropriate decisions in the circumstances.

There was no doubt, he said, that national institutions had failed.

"Everyone knew that Caruana Galizia had been exposing herself to danger, so why was protection not given? Those who failed to provide this protection needed to assume their responsibility. Failure to do so would be a bigger scandal, leaving people wondering what state their country had sunk to."