Aqra bil-Malti
The Information and Data Protection Commissioner has issued an enforcement notice against the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) over its handling of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by The Shift, ordering it to publish cabinet members’ asset declarations for 2023 within 20 days.
In a decision issued shortly after The Shift filed its complaint, the OPM was given 20 days to publish the requested documents or provide a reason “according to the law” to justify its refusal.
Commissioner Ian Deguara stated: “The response given by the OPM to The Shift News did not meet the requirements of the FOI Act, specifically failing to cite the appropriate reason(s) for refusal according to Article 14 of the Act.
The OPM shall comply with this enforcement notice with immediate effect and by not later than 20 working days from the date of service of such notice.”
Prime minister’s refusal to disclose declarations
Prime Minister Robert Abela had previously released cabinet asset declarations for 2021 and 2022 without issue. However, for months, he has refused to disclose the 2023 declarations.
The prime minister’s asset declarations for 2021 and 2022 did not reflect the purchase of land in Xewkija for his hotel.
Following The Shift’s revelations about the missing declarations, Abela insisted in parliament that the documents had already been made public. However, when pressed, it became evident that this was false, as he had never tabled the declarations.
Subsequently, Abela shifted his stance, claiming the declarations would not be published as he was working on reforms to improve transparency. Two months ago, he said the reform was at an “advanced stage,” but no updates have followed.
The Standards Commissioner has also called on the prime minister to publish the 2023 declarations, stating there was no legitimate reason to delay their release while working on reforms.
Requests for the documents have also been denied by the prime minister’s cabinet secretary, Ryan Spagnol, and through a formal FOI request. The OPM has argued that these records were for the prime minister’s scrutiny.
The question is, who is scrutinising Robert Abela’s declarations?
Questions over financial disclosures
Abela’s 2021 and 2022 asset declarations sparked controversy, as his declared income appeared to be inconsistent with his lifestyle and property acquisitions, including land purchases in Gozo.
These disclosures led to speculation that undeclared assets held by his wife, Lydia Abela, may have been used to bypass transparency requirements.
Notably, Abela did not declare any assets held by his wife in either 2021 or 2022.
Kieku ma inbidel xejn kien jikteb l istess karta ta l assi li kiteb fil passat! Imma mhux ovvja!! Issa ha naraw biex inhu hiereg!
Will not be surprised if he resorts to a quick fix as with magisterial inquiries by rushing self protective legislative amendments through Parliament.
Something sad when you have a prime minister who is more of a sad joke than a representative of the citizenry.
The Data Protection Commissioner will probably soon be looking for an alternative job – or, at least, applying for unemployment benefit!
Congratulations to Mrs. Caroline Muscat,
You have shown that sleazy prime minister the limits of his omnipotent power.
And this seems only the beginning.
We must continue with the inexplicable wealth of this philistine.
It is beyond me how such a person could come to power in the first place. Without Josef Muscat, this would probably never have happened.
Do we have to understand why the other political parties did not come forward?
For me, this is a sign and the reason why we have a free press, especially Shift News.
Who is cooking Abela’s books?
RA owns various properties in Valletta that are on long term leases and used as restaurants / bars .
ROBBER Abela Trump.