'It's up to him', Gatt says of disabled man on hunger strike

Cini is demanding Gatt’s resignation, as the man responsible for the new bus route system which he claims has affected his life drastically.

Owing to a stroke syndrome caused by encephalopathy, Cini cannot walk properly, cannot wait for a long time in the sun as he is prone to fits, and now has to change bus three times to get to St Thomas Bay: where he used to swim twice daily as an essential part of his therapy.

Gatt, approached during a conference yesterday, admitted he knew nothing about the case and which route was involved. However he assured he would do what he can when given the full details.

Asked his opinion about the Cini's alleged 'hunger strike', which he says he has embarked upon while demanding the Minister’s resignation, Gatt replied: “It’s up to him.”

In the meantime, yesterday morning – the fourth day of his hunger strike – Cini posted another video on this time talking about politics, politicians and the way they patronise people.

Contacted by MaltaToday, Cini mentioned that he is feeling weak, and that he has stopped taking his medication because he cannot take his pills on an empty stomach. He is also suffering from constant headaches.

He emphasised that his actions are not meant to help any political party. In fact, he made it very clear in the video: “An important thing to mention here is that I’m not doing this under the auspices of any political party, particularly the Labour Party. I don’t want my actions to tarnish their squeaky clean image. So therefore I completely dissociate myself from any political party.”

On Monday, Cini also sent a message to the Prime Minister, linking to his videos and the article which first appeared on sister newspaper Illum. Cini is hoping the PM replies with “something positive” to say.

“I want him to fire Austin Gatt and that is the final argument,” he said in his video. Until now, he is still waiting for Gonzi’s reply.

When contacted, a spokesperson for OPM told the paper that: “the new public transport system has not yet reached the standards and service that was agreed between government and the new operator. As the roll-out of the new public transport service continues, the authorities are closely monitoring the situation and analysing the routes so as to implement the necessary changes.

“Like all the other suggestions that have been made, Mr Cini’s complaint is being treated with utmost seriousness and I am informed that the Arriva management had made contact with Mr Cini to discuss his specific complaint.”

Cini received a call from a local newspaper that arranged transport for him, which he didn’t accept, as he believes that there are others like him who are suffering in silence, and that single cases of charity would not solve the overall problem.

On the video the disabled man mentions how two days ago, he signed a document “whereby if I’m taken to hospital against my will, and I am unconscious or something of the kind, I refuse any kind of intervention. This is the way it has to be. My doctor will be there to make sure my wishes are carried out.”

An Arriva spokesperson told MaltaToday: “We are logging any concerns and complaints regarding specific routes, and although we don’t ultimately control the route network, we are working in close partnership with Transport Malta to monitor where there are real issues, and identify any necessary network updates for implementation in due course.”

This newspaper also sent questions to the National Commission for Persons with Disability (KNPD) asking them if they will take any action on this case and if they have received other complaints about the new bus service. No answer was received until the time of going to print.