Morning Briefing.
AFM drug heist inquiry finds major flaws in security
An inquiry into a major drug heist at the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) barracks revealed that a soldier responsible for monitoring security cameras neglected his duties. Instead of surveilling the high-security area, he watched a two-hour movie on his tablet with earphones, chatted with his girlfriend for 15 minutes, cooked, and failed to conduct patrols or check the container between 11:25am and 2:50am. The theft, involving a significant quantity of drugs, occurred due to lapses in surveillance. The soldier admitted his failure to notice the theft, acknowledging that attentiveness could have prevented or at least detected the breach. The bombardier on duty was supposed to rest but was not permitted to sleep for two hours and could have noticed the neglect. The inquiry also uncovered various security flaws, including the absence of a fixed police presence, despite over 30 cameras and soldiers with night vision. The security system, both active (soldiers and patrols) and passive (the fence), failed. Obstructed visibility from large skips and unaddressed faulty floodlights contributed to the breach. Inadequate locks on the container were replaced with metal bars after the theft. Authorities are now considering improved monitoring and security measures. (Maltatoday)
IMF calls for parking charges to reduce car use
A report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) calls for decisive measures to reduce car use in Malta, including higher fuel prices, increased vehicle taxes, and charges for public parking. These steps, it suggests, would help address the country’s infrastructure challenges. However, the IMF notes that the Maltese government currently has no plans to implement such measures. The report, Taking Stock of Infrastructure in Malta, was authored by Alexander Pitt, a senior economist at the IMF, and follows his participation in a workshop at the Central Bank of Malta. While the report commended Malta’s strong economic performance over the past decade, it also highlighted the strain on infrastructure from population growth and rising tourism, particularly in terms of congestion. (Times of Malta)
PN calls on PM to publish asset declarations
The Nationalist Party called on the Prime Minister to immediately publish his asset declaration and those of his ministers. “The public has the right to know the financial holdings and obligations of their leaders. Robert Abela must stop acting like a bully who disregards the rules and start demonstrating responsibility, transparency, and accountability,” the PN stated. This demand came a day after the Office of the Prime Minister rejected yet another Freedom of Information request by the Times of Malta for access to the declarations. The Prime Minister had also been reprimanded by the Standards Commissioner for withholding the 2023 declarations. Although ministers have submitted their asset declarations to the Cabinet secretary, Abela has yet to act on calls for these to be published. The Prime Minister has provided no credible explanation for departing from the long-standing practice of tabling ministers’ asset declarations in Parliament for public review. (The Malta Independent)