NGO Repubblika said that Prime Minister Robert Abela's decision to conceal his asset and financial interest declarations and that of his Ministers, is "a major step backward in the quality of governance in our country," and shows that government has something to hide.

Repubblika issued a statement on Wednesday reacting to Abela's statements yesterday where he referred to plans to reform the asset declaration process to require all MPs to file a more detailed declaration.

"The Prime Minister defended his decision by stating that he intends to reform MPs' declarations to make them more detailed," Repubblika said.

It said that while increasing transparency among MPs is a positive step, it is important to remind the Prime Minister that Parliament does not fall under his authority.

"He is merely a member of Parliament, and as a government leader, he must be accountable to Parliament, not the other way around. The Prime Minister's arrogance in assuming he can dictate how Parliament regulates itself is dangerous and anti-democratic," Repubblika said.

It said that Abela argued that it does not make sense for Ministers to fill out two declaration forms, one as Ministers and another as MPs.

"The reality is that ministers have a far greater opportunity for corruption than regular MPs, and it is entirely reasonable and proportionate for public scrutiny to be stricter for Ministers," Repubblika said.

It continued that Abela also said that the public does not need to see Ministers' declarations because he has reviewed them himself.

"However, these declarations are not meant to satisfy the Prime Minister's curiosity. They are a tool for transparency and accountability, ensuring that the public can verify the integrity of those entrusted with governing the country," Repubblika said.

"If the Prime Minister scrutinized the Ministers' declarations, who has scrutinized the Prime Minister's own declaration?" Repubblika said.

It said that instead of following the OECD's recommendations to increase transparency among Ministers, Abela has "turned the clock back 30 years."