Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544913
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 MAY 2026 NEWS ELECTION 2026 Robert Abela & Alex Borg ON TVM • THURSDAY 21 MAY • 9.15PM PN pledges to reopen every closed police station, reform disciplinary corps pensions THE Nationalist Party pledged to reopen and renovate every closed police station across Malta and Gozo, pointing out that some stations have re- mained under construction for years, forcing police to operate out of containers. On Tuesday, Opposition Leader Alex Borg announced a series of proposals addressing crime and security in Malta, in- sisting that security is not a lux- ury but a right. The event was also addressed by PN MP Dar- ren Carrabott, who elaborated on the proposals. The PN promised to reform the pension system for the disciplinary corps. Under this proposal, officers remaining in service beyond the 25 year threshold up to 35 years, will be entitled to receive both their salary and their full pension for that 10 year period. Additionally, the PN proposed adjusting disciplinary corps pensions to match current rank salaries, ensuring retirees re- ceive two thirds of today's pay scale rather than their salary upon retirement. Through this strategy, the PN intends to preserve the existing workforce of the disciplinary corps, while also encouraging people with experience to re- turn back into the sector, and attracting new talent. The PN proposed a cost-of- living adjustment for retired members of the disciplinary corps, ensuring that pensions reflect current living costs. Carabott also insisted that the PN would address injustic- es which have occurred within the disciplinary corps, calling for the implementation of an independent board tasked with investigating these injustices. Borg also spoke about drug trafficking in Malta, which he said requires stronger invest- ments into advanced technolo- gy to dismantle organised crime networks at the country's ports. The PN also called for struc- tural reforms in the penal sys- tem, arguing that the goal of imprisonment should include rehabilitation rather than sole- ly punishment. They proposed the introduction of community service programs to rehabilitate offenders capable of reform, particularly directed towards young people. The party insisted that they would not interfere in court sentencing, but would instead provide the court with the legal tools necessary for offender re- habilitation. Carabott explained the lack of resources currently offered to the Armed Forces of Mal- ta (AFM), insisting that a PN government would strategical- ly invest in modernising the military's search and rescue, national defense, and cyberse- curity. Borg proposed a reform to modernise the Civil Protec- tion Services, noting that first responders currently rely on the Planning Authority for site plans. The PN promised to im- plement a system which would provide Civil Protection with direct access to these plans to ensure maximum efficiency during emergencies. No going back on cannabis laws Borg clarified that the PN would not repeal existing can- nabis laws since they have al- ready been written. Instead, the party promised to concentrate on improving the framework by prioritising public awareness campaigns and safeguarding the rights of non-smokers exposed to cannabis fumes in public and in their homes. The Opposition Leader also explained that the proposed offshore fuel hub in Hurds Bank would be secured by an AI de- tection system, which would be able to identify leaks in seconds allowing for immediate action to be taken. Borg indicated that addition- al security policies for Malta will be presented in the coming days, asserting that all initia- tives have been fully costed and scheduled. Meanwhile, Car- abott stated that detailed finan- cial figures will be published at a later date. EVA BRANNON ebrannon@mediatoday.com.mt PN leader Alex Borg