Nationalist backbencher Franco Debono admitted he had planned not to vote during last Monday's parliamentary sitting because he wanted to get a message across that MPs had to be treated with dignity.
In the first full interview since his surprise walkout, the 35-year-old said he was annoyed he was being "heard but not listened to", and wanted to make a statement.
Speaking from his family's home in Għaxaq, he said he had tried other avenues to get his message across but they failed, which is why he opted for, what was for him, the last resort.
"I wanted to make a statement about the lack of dignity in Malta's Parliament. I made it, and my message came across. I would never vote against my party or against the government but I felt this occasion, when the vote could not have toppled the government, was the best time. I had been thinking about it for three weeks and the point I made was a point of principle," he said.
He acknowledged his move had embarrassed the party and let down his fellow MPs, but insisted he had not gone against the current or that he had scored an own goal. It was a move backed by "valid reasons", he said.
However, he still would not reveal these reasons publicly, pointing out that he had gone through them in detail with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and PN parliamentary whip David Agius.
The young MP went missing on Monday when two votes were taken on amendments to a motion to set up a select committee. One amendment was proposed by the Opposition, calling for the Speaker to chair the committee instead of a Nationalist MP.
His absence created a tie in both votes - 32 in favour and 32 against. Eventually, the amendments fell through with the Speaker's casting vote and it was only when Dr Debono returned to Parliament and voted that the original motions were approved.
The episode shook the Nationalist Party, reminding it of the vulnerability of its single-seat majority, the same margin by which the Labour government had been toppled in 1998 when former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff voted against his party in a vote of confidence.
Dr Debono, however, feels nobody should draw comparison with Mr Mintoff's case, given that he was not challenging a 'no confidence' vote, which, along with a vote on finance, could topple a government.
He explained he was sick on Monday and stayed home all day, however, he still went to Parliament at around 6.30 p.m., knowing he would not vote. In fact, he was there because he had a speech to give about broadcasting. When he was told he could not speak on the day, he left, well before the vote, which usually takes place after 9 p.m.
In the meantime, a swathe of MPs and party officials were trying to reach him but his mobile phone was off. Eventually, Dr Debono said, a friend went to his house and "easily" convinced him to go back.
The main reason for the walkout given in PN circles throughout the week was that Dr Debono was angry at the rumour that the Speaker and main rival in his district, Louis Galea, could return to Cabinet after contesting the seat to be vacated by Social Policy Minister John Dalli - who will soon be appointed European Commissioner.
However, Dr Debono dismissed this explanation as baseless, pointing out that he had even gone to wish Dr Galea well when he heard he could contest the casual election.
The Speaker, in fact, confirmed this, even though he declined to comment on whether he was actually considering contesting the seat.
Whatever the reason, however, the move left a bitter taste with many Nationalists, who see the walkout as a childish, ego-driven, blackmail attempt.
Here too, however, Dr Debono defended himself fiercely, insisting he had chosen not to vote on a motion that would have jeopardised his chairmanship of a parliamentary committee because this was not an 'ego trip' or a 'PR exercise'.
"I don't stomp my feet when I don't get my way but I stomp my feet to fulfil my role as a Member of Parliament," he said, stressing that his actions were made in the best interest of his constituents and Parliament.
In fact, he pointed out that in his short parliamentary stint so far he had raised a number of issues, including party financing legislation, pollution problems in the south of the island and shortcomings in the legal aid system.
"But how many of these issues were taken up? Sometimes we backbenchers feel like a voice in the wilderness, especially on certain issues. People's concerns, as expressed by MPs, should be given more importance," he insisted.
Whichever way his protest is seen, however, many feel the episode has probably harmed his political career.
When this was put to him, Dr Debono took comfort in the favourable statements made by the Prime Minister and the PN general secretary, saying he has the support of top officials and that the grass roots were beginning to understand.
However, he added: "I do not do or say things to lengthen my term in politics but in the best interest of people. In politics, it's not how long you spend in parliament but the contribution you give."