Over a month since the murder of journalist/blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, security in Malta is becoming an issue. Most significant is possibly a request to Maltese authorities to guarantee suitable protection to a delegation of MEPs on a two-day fact-finding mission on the state of the rule of law in Malta.
According to European Parliament president Antonio Tajani, threats were recently made against “European politicians in Malta and members of the national Parliament”. He said he was making his request for “suitable protection” on the insistence of some of the visiting MEPs. One of those expressing security concerns was the EPP president Manfred Weber.
Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi thought it fit to hit out at Mr Weber in the most myopic, even parochial, manner. She said no one had complained about safety issues when Malta held the presidency of the European Union and hundreds of MEPs and officials visited the country.
She thinks Ms Caruana Galizia’s murder is just something that happens “everywhere” and that foreign dignitaries should really feel safe.
Not everyone living in this country shares that opinion. Ironically, that same day, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anġlu Farrugia, expressed his concern at the insufficient security measures within and surrounding Parliament and its ancillary facilities.
Opposition leader Adrian Delia called for the resignation of Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela accusing him of interference in police work when he was home affairs minister. The accusation was based on reports that Jonathan Ferris, when still a police officer, had received e-mails from the Home Affairs Ministry on a case he was investigating. The e-mails had been copied to the minister.
Mr Abela, defended himself saying the request for information fell within his ministry’s remit because a complaint had been made. That his ministry communicated with Mr Ferris directly, and not through the Police Commissioner, beggars belief. The police should work in absolute autonomy from the government but, clearly, that is not the case.
Mr Ferris, is not a new name. He had resigned as police inspector and moved to the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, where he was discharged just before his probation period was up. He is now seeking redress before the Industrial Tribunal, with the Attorney General arguing the case should be heard behind closed doors because it concerns sensitive issues.
Given Mr Ferris’s exposure on multiple fronts involving the government and its agencies, the Opposition leader wrote to the Prime Minister to ensure the State provided the highest protection possible to Mr Ferris. Dr Delia said the former police inspector was fearing for his life and that of his family.
This country’s institutions were already seriously undermined following the Panama Papers leaks and, more so, the Caruana Galizia murder. An international assault on the country’s reputation followed those events, with accusations that Malta is a Mafia State and a place for tax evasion and money laundering.
Now a man appears to be stepping into the firing line. He is not afraid to speak and he deserves State and society’s protection. The parallels with Ms Caruana Galizia, who equally had no fear in speaking her mind, are clear.
The government cannot afford another tragedy of that sort. The system cannot be allowed to fail once again. The repercussions of that would be devastating.
This is a Times of Malta print editorial