Unfit to lead: Abela’s defence of injustice is an insult to the Maltese people

Prime Minister Robert Abela’s defence of the Lands Authority’s decision to reinstate Kurt Buhagiar, one of the men charged with involuntary homicide in the tragic death of Jean Paul Sofia, is not just tone-deaf, it is morally bankrupt.

 “He is now going to work and carrying out the duties he is paid to do.” This was the Prime Minister’s cold response. No accountability. No sense of justice. No respect for a grieving mother still searching for answers.

Carmel Asciak, member of the executive of Momentum, said, “Let’s be clear: this is not about guilt or innocence, that’s for the courts to decide. This is about basic ethics, respect, and public trust. A person facing serious criminal charges in connection with a fatal construction collapse should not be representing a public authority, collecting taxpayer money, and ‘getting on with the job’ as if nothing happened.”

“Where is the leadership? Where is the decency? Where is the commitment to reform and justice that was promised to Jean Paul Sofia’s family and to the nation?”

This decision, and the Prime Minister’s defence of it, spits in the face of the inquiry findings, which clearly blamed the State for its oversight failures. It mocks the memory of Jean Paul Sofia, and it continues to betray his mother, Isabelle Bonnici, who had to fight tooth and nail for a public inquiry that should have been automatic.

Momentum stands with Isabelle and with every citizen demanding real accountability, not administrative excuses.

Asciak concluded that, “Malta deserves leaders who understand the weight of public office, who uphold standards and who value life over political convenience. Robert Abela has shown us, once again, that he is not that kind of leader.”

Mhux tajjeb biex imexxi: Id-difiża ta’ Abela tal-inġustizzja hija insult għall-poplu Malti

Id-difiża tal-Prim Ministru Robert Abela għad-deċiżjoni tal-Awtorità tal-Artijiet li terġa’ ddaħħal lil Kurt Buhagiar, wieħed mill-irġiel mixlija b’omiċidju involontarju fil-mewt traġika ta’ Jean Paul Sofia, mhux biss ma tagħmilx sens, imma hija wkoll moralment kundannabbli.

“Issa qed imur għax-xogħol u jwettaq id-dmirijiet li għalihom jitħallas.” Din kienet ir-risposta bierda tal-Prim Ministru. L-ebda responsabbiltà. L-ebda sens ta’ ġustizzja. L-ebda rispett għal omm mifnija bin-niket li għadha tfittex tweġibiet.

Carmel Asciak, membru tal-eżekuttiv ta’ Momentum, qal, “Ejja nkunu ċari: din mhijiex kwistjoni ta’ ħtija jew innoċenza, dik hija deċiżjoni tal-qorti. Din hija kwistjoni ta’ imġiba etika bażika, rispett, u fiduċja pubblika. Persuna akkużata b’delitti serji marbuta ma’ fatalità ta’ sit ta’ kostruzzjoni m’għandhiex tirrappreżenta awtorità pubblika, tieħu flus mit-taxxi tan-nies, u ‘tkompli bix-xogħol’ bħallikieku ma ġara xejn.”

“Fejn hu s-sens ta’ tmexxija? Fejn hi d-deċenza? Fejn hu l-impenn għar-riforma u l-ġustizzja li kien ġie mwiegħed lill-familja ta’ Jean Paul Sofia u lill-poplu kollu?”

Din id-deċiżjoni, u d-difiża tagħha mill-Prim Ministru, huma daqqa ta’ ħarta f’wiċċ is-sejbiet tal-inkjesta, li b’mod ċar uriet li l-Istat kien ħati. Hija daqqa ta’ ħarta għall-memorja ta’ Jean Paul Sofia u tkompli tweġġa’ lil ommu, Isabelle Bonnici, li kellha tissielet biex issir inkjesta pubblika li suppost kellha tkun waħda awtomatika.

Momentum jinsab wara Isabelle u ma’ kull ċittadin li jitlob responsabbiltà vera, mhux skużi amministrattivi.

Asciak temm jgħid, “Malta jixirqilha mexxejja li jifhmu s-sens ta’ responsabbiltà li ġġib magħha kariga pubblika, li jżommu standards għoljin u jagħtu valur lill-ħajja qabel kull konvenjenza politika. Robert Abela wera, għal darb’oħra, li mhux denju li jmexxi pajjiż.”

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