Robert Abela’s First Post-Holiday Order Of Business Is A Meeting With Ħamrun And Marsa Mayors
Prime Minister Robert Abela held a meeting with the mayors of Ħamrun and Marsa to discuss security-related issues in what appears to be his first official order of business since returning from a summer holiday on his private yacht.
“I always have important discussions with Chris and Josef,” Abela wrote afterwards, referring to Ħamrun mayor Chris Sammut and Marsa mayor Josef Azzopardi.
“Not only do they voice their residents’ concerns but they also propose solutions. The government isn’t only listening but taking action in the best interest of people.”
To back up his argument of government action, Abela noted the drug operation that police carried out in Valletta and Marsa this morning, which resulted in the arrest of ten people – three Maltese nationals and seven foreigners.
“Although a lot of work has been done, we need to continue building on it,” the Prime Minister concluded.
Several people expressed scepticism under an article about the meeting that was published by PL media house ONE News, calling for less talk and more action from the authorities.
“Us Marsa and Ħamrun residents have heard enough empty words and we need to start seeing action now,” a Marsa resident commented, warning people don’t feel safe in their hometown and deserve proper action, rather than just pre-electoral gimmicks.
“It’s not just Ħamrun and Marsa… all of Malta needs a good clean-up and must deport all those who don’t have a job, who broke the law and who came here from Italy because they know that there is no justice here,”a woman said.
However, some were more sympathetic, praising Sammut and Azzopardi for doing their utmost to bring a sense of peace to their respective towns.
Concerns about security and the lack of integration of certain foreign communities bubbled to the surface last week following a major street fight in Ħamrun which saw two Syrian nationals charged with assault and eleven others charged by citation with breaching the public peace and disobeying police orders.
While still on holiday, Abela spoke to ONE News to decry the street fight as “unacceptable and disgusting” and to insist that no one will be allowed to turn the streets of Malta into a “jungle”.
He also urged the courts to “send a clear message” to society when convicting the street fighters and when ruling on any requests for bail.
Meanwhile, PN MPs Joe Giglio and Alex Borg called for the immediate deportation of all people involved in the fight, with Giglio also advocating the deployment of soldiers to help the police deal with security-related issues.
What can be done to improve security on the streets of Malta?
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