Letters | Sunday, 20 December 2009

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Penalties for bribery and trading in influence too weak

The feeling that the former Chief Justice deserved a heavier penalty is nothing less than national in general terms (Council of Europe on bribery penalties, MaltaToday, 16 January). But people do not seem to realise that, in the light of the relative high office in society and in view of the great responsibilities the office carries, the mere commencements of procedures condemns the offender for life, to say the least. In a way, corporal punishment is least important to the offender, because time heals it: but not the moral effects of the incident.
Having said that, it would appear that the general opinion of the people considers the incident as only the tip of the iceberg. Not only does the public consider the offence as one practiced in general, but is also rampant in football circles, in VAT, in politics and in all society’s institutions.
It is said that even in this case, a recording surfaced where the judge was heard telling ‘l-Imniehru’ to let the defence know they should not worry about the fees, “because I will see to it”, displaying an illegal connection between the judiciary and the defence.
It is with regret that I read in the media this week that Malta practices bribery to the highest degree.

A.J. Farrugia
Birzebbugia

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