Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/875714
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 8 Opinion / News T his is indeed a reformist legislature. In line with our electoral manifesto, in these first 100 days in office, this government has many deliverables to be proud of. As a team we are committed to improve the daily lives of citizens and in doing so, we are changing the shape of Maltese politics and setting higher thresholds. The Vote 16 initiative is a prime example where we are not shying away from controversial issues. The debate has now kickstarted: if youths at 16 years can marry, operate a bank account, have a company and even work, why can't they also vote in the general elections, contest local elections and possibly be elected mayors? This step follows the success story of the 2015 local elections when youths aged 16 were permitted to vote for the first time. We are indeed a government of firsts, always keeping in mind our vision for the future of this country. The lowering of the voting age to 16 years vis-a-vis the general election is a clear sign of trust in our youth. We strongly believe that our younger generation should have a "Democratic Voice" not only in the local elections but also at general elections and the European Parliament elections. Nowadays, students are academically taught the principles of democracy and are well accustomed with principles such as "Freedom of Expression" and "Representative Democracy". Therefore, it is sensible to say that there is enough information out there and our youths are well prepared for such a civic duty. Youths bring a baggage of innovation and fresh ideas, contributing more towards a better representation of our pluralistic society. Reducing the voting age to 16 would inject a positive interest in politics. The voting right is a sign of empowerment. However, voting is not only a right but brings with it a series of obligations. Especially if we are now setting the bar higher and discussing whether we should have 16- or 17-year olds who are mayors. In this regard, we are confident that this discussion will delve into the need of a preparative approach so that youths will be ready and fully cognitive to vote and also contest local elections. The Local Government Reform initiated during the past legislature should lead to the raising of standards and the provision of a more efficient and effective public service by local councils. We envisage the vote 16 initiative as an important milestone that strengthens local councils and the concept of local democracy. Local councils have a potential to attract broader participation, particularly from young people. This must be based on a number of pillars, including concrete help so that one can actively participate in local councils, facilitating meetings for councillors (especially those who are parents of young children), providing accessible premises, and also recognizing that young people, who have much to contribute to the community if given the opportunity to do so, are fresh and important elements of civil society. In the past weeks, an inter- ministerial working group headed by Andrew Debattista has been tasked to carry out consultations with all the entities and sectors of society, mainly but not limited to youth organisations. We are fully aware that this discussion will somehow lead to divergent opinions and possibly also fuels controversy. Discussion is a healthy process. We will continue to lead. These are interesting times for our country. Clifton Grima is Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations Ministry for Education and Employment Silvio Parnis is Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government and Communities Julia Farrugia Portelli is Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms, Citizenship and Simplifi cation of Administrative Processes A reformist legislature: Up next - Vote 16 By Julia Farrugia Portelli, Clifton Grima and Silvio Parnis MATTHEW AGIUS PROCEEDINGS against two persons charged with drug smuggling, in connection with the interception of a boat ferry- ing 70kg of suspected cannabis in Ghadira Bay a fortnight ago, have continued. 44-year-old Michael Aquilina and 22-year-old Italian Greta Grassi were arrested on 7 Sep- tember after the cannabis resin was found on a boat entering Ghadira Bay late at night, in a joint operation conducted by the police and the AFM. The accused are understood to have been caught 'red handed' with the drugs. A court expert, who examined a haversack full of blocks that were bound with tape, took the witness stand yesterday, tell- ing Magistrate Neville Camill- eri that the exhibits had tested positive for THC – the psycho- active ingredient that gives can- nabis its effect. Prosecuting police Inspector Justine Grech testified that she had been informed by her offic- ers, that when Grassi was being patted down in the police lock- up, more of what was suspected to be cannabis resin was found on her person. The inspector said she had then passed on the substance to the relevant expert. Defence lawyers Gianluca Caruana Curran, Roberto Mon- talto and Kathleen Calleja Gri- ma filed an application for bail, a decision which will be made in the next sitting next week. The court ordered the sus- pects to remain in custody until the next sitting, when all re- maining prosecution witnesses are to testify. MATTHEW AGIUS 28YEAROLD Daniel Gheo- rghe State was arraigned under arrest before Magistrate Aaron Bugeja yesterday, accused of having stolen a mobile phone from Incognito Bar in St Paul's Bay. Inspector Godwin Scerri explained that the man had been identified from CCTV footage, which clearly showed him stealing the device from the bar, as its owner's back was turned. Inspector Scerri added that the stolen Samsung, which was worth "around €250", was not recovered. State, who appeared in court assisted by an interpreter, was charged with theft that was ag- gravated by value of the object stolen, and the time at which the crime was committed. Defence lawyer Leontine Calleja did not contest the le- gal and factual reasons for the arrest, which was deemed jus- tified by the court. The accused, who had been staying at the Hotel Bugibba for three weeks, said he works in Malta as a carpenter and was due to leave Malta in a week's time. After consulting with his lawyer, the accused pleaded guilty, reiterating it despite be- ing offered the opportunity to retract his confession. The accused told the police that he was prepared to pay this sum to the victim, Inspec- tor Scerri said, adding that he had cooperated with the po- lice investigation. A suspended sentence, coupled with a resti- tution order was suggested. Calleja argued that a condi- tional discharge was merited in the circumstances - the ac- cused had consumed alcohol at the time, had fully cooperated with the police and admitted the charge at the first opportu- nity. He had no intention to steal the mobile in question, but had taken it by mistake, she submit- ted, confirming that the man was prepared to compensate the victim for the loss of the phone. Finding him guilty on his own admission, the court sen- tenced the man to 12 months imprisonment which it sus- pended for two years, warn- ing him that if he committed another crime punishable by imprisonment during that pe- riod, this sentence would be put into effect. The court also ordered the man to pay the owner of the stolen phone the sum of €250. Expert confirms that 70kg Ghadira drug haul was cannabis Bar room phone thief, captured on CCTV, pleads guilty